Top 5 best scooter rentals in Cape Town

Cape Town rewards anyone willing to put a little wind in their face. Picture riding down Chapman's Peak Drive with the cliffs dropping away on one side and the Atlantic stretching out on the other, or pulling up outside Camps Bay Beach as the sun sinks behind the Twelve Apostles. A scooter gets you to these moments on your own schedule, not a tour bus timetable — dip into the surf at Clifton, watch penguins waddle around Boulders Beach, then be back in the City Bowl in time for dinner.

The city's layout practically asks for two wheels. Its best sights sit along winding coastal roads rather than in one walkable cluster, so a car often feels heavy and hard to park while a bus leaves you waiting between stops. A scooter threads through City Bowl traffic, tucks into a tight spot at the V&A Waterfront, and still has the range to carry you all the way down the peninsula. If you want to rent a scooter in Cape Town, this is exactly the kind of city that makes the choice pay off.

Top 10 things to see in Cape Town by scooter

1. Table Mountain (via cableway or a ride up to Tafelberg Road) — the city's signature panorama and cable car base station.
2. Chapman's Peak Drive — one of the world's great coastal riding routes, with cliffside views toward Hout Bay.
3. Camps Bay Beach — a palm-lined beachfront strip backed by the Twelve Apostles, best at sunset.
4. Clifton Beach — four linked coves just past Camps Bay, perfect for a quick scooter-and-swim stop.
5. Cape Point / Cape of Good Hope — a dramatic ride to the tip of the peninsula and its lighthouse.
6. Boulders Beach — home to Simon's Town's famous penguin colony.
7. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden — gardens and picnic lawns at the foot of Table Mountain's eastern slopes.
8. V&A Waterfront — the harbourfront hub for food, shops and boat trips, with easy scooter parking.
9. Lion's Head — a favourite sunrise or sunset hike, just a short hop from the city bowl.
10. Muizenberg Beach — colourful beach huts and the city's main surf break on the False Bay coast.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Cape Town?

South Africa requires a motorcycle licence for scooters — code A1 for smaller machines, code A for unrestricted ones, since an ordinary car licence doesn't cover them. If your home licence isn't in English with a photograph, bring an International Driving Permit as well. Most operators ask for a minimum age of 21, and you'll need to leave a deposit, usually held on a credit card in your name.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Cape Town?

A basic scooter runs from around ZAR 95–110 per day in the winter off-season up to roughly ZAR 250–400 per day during peak summer. Larger-cc or premium models typically cost ZAR 400–700 or more per day, especially in high season.

• Prices climb from December to February, the busiest tourist months.
• They drop again from June to August, the quietest and cheapest stretch of the year.

When to book a rental scooter in Cape Town?

December and January are the priciest months, driven by Southern Hemisphere summer and local holiday crowds, so it pays to book ahead if you're travelling then. June to August is the low season, with the calmest demand and the lowest prices — a great window if your dates are flexible. March–May and September–November sit comfortably in between, with pleasant riding weather and fewer crowds.

Local traffic rules in Cape Town

South Africans drive on the left, so keep to that side and overtake on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger. Speed limits are 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on freeways unless signs say otherwise. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05 g/100 ml, and roadblocks are common, so it's best to ride sober. Handheld phone use while riding is prohibited, and at four-way stops the rule is simple: whoever arrived first goes first.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!