Hop on Hop off Red Bus

Explore Cape Town with freedom and flexibility aboard City Sightseeing’s iconic Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tours.

Description

City Sightseeing Cape Town offers a vibrant, flexible way to explore the city’s landmarks via hop-on, hop-off bus tours. With over 30 stops across three scenic routes, visitors can explore at their own pace, from Table Mountain to Constantia’s wine estates.

Enjoy multilingual commentary in 15 languages, plus a kids’ channel, on open-top buses. Options like harbour cruises and sunset tours add unique perspectives, making it perfect for tailored city adventures.

Company Group

City Sightseeing South Africa

Activity Type

City Sightseeing | Bus tours

Social Media

Google Rating

4.7 ★ | 5,200+ Google reviews

Activities List

Experiences

Ride through vibrant Cape Town, soaking in panoramic views from an open-top bus.
Hop off to wander Kirstenbosch Gardens, immersing in lush, natural beauty.
Sail on a scenic harbour cruise, feeling the ocean breeze at the V&A Waterfront.
Capture a magical sunset over Signal Hill, basking in golden-hour serenity.

Estimate Duration

Single tour: 2–6 hours
Multi-day passes: 1–5 consecutive days

Guidance Types

On-board audio commentary in 15 languages.
Kids’ commentary channel.
Free guided walking tours: Historic City Walk & Bo-Kaap Walk (from 81 Long Street).
Optional live-guided tours depending on ticket type (e.g., Sunset Bus, Township Tour, Harbour & Canal Cruises).

Equipment Required/ Rented

Headphones provided for commentary.

What to Bring

Additional Information

Red open-top buses operate year-round.
Routes cover over 30 stops, including city landmarks, coastal roads, and wine estates.
Buses run every 20 minutes on most routes.
Hop-on / hop-off allows you to explore at your own pace.
Mega City Pass includes free entry to 80+ attractions.
All buses are red, displaying route signs on the front and left side for easy identification.

Inside Guides

Start at V&A Waterfront or 81 Long Street for maps and boarding passes.
Ride the full Red City route first, then hop off at attractions you like.
Use the audio commentary to learn about Cape Town’s history and culture.
Kids’ channel keeps younger travellers entertained.
Buy tickets online for a cheaper, faster experience.
Live Bus Tracking is available on their website.
Check the timetable and route map for trip planning.
Take a photo of your boarding pass ticket for entry and don’t lose it.
Familiarize yourself with the last bus departure time.

Weather Conditions

Ideal Weather: Clear / Sunny | Warm

Rain Alert: Not Affected

Weather Experience: The open-top deck offers the best experience in sunny, clear weather, but the lower deck is covered for protection from rain and wind.

Rules & Safety

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
No standing on the upper deck while the bus is in motion.
Keep your boarding pass for re-entry; photograph it for safekeeping.
Follow safety instructions provided by staff at all stops.

Reservation Policies

No reservation needed; walk-ins welcome.
Online vouchers valid for 14 days; redeem before first use.
Refunds only for unused tickets; small admin fee applies.
Missed tours due to lateness are non-refundable.

Estimate Price Range

R300 – R400+

Entry Fees & Pricing

Prices are Per Adult | Per Child

City Sightseeing Cape Town also offers multi-day passes, combo tickets, and premium experiences — visit their website for full options and current pricing.

Booking Methods

Buses | Ticket office | Website

Cafes & restaurants

Child friendly

Flexible Stops

Guided walking tours

Heated and sheltered buses

Knowledgeable guides

Live bus tracking

Local insights

Multiple locations

Open-top seating

Panoramic views

Parking available at stops

Photo opportunities

Pre-recorded commentary

Scenic coastal routes

Scenic views

Sightseeing

Sunset tours

Ticket office

Timetable & map

Walk-ins welcome

Weather protection

Wheelchair accessible options

Wi-Fi

Must Tries

Sunset Bus Tour: 2.5 hours of golden-hour views from the open-top bus, with the city and Atlantic coastline as your backdrop.

Purple Wine Tour: Full-day journey through Constantia’s vineyards, sampling wines while enjoying panoramic views along the route.

Multi-Day Hop-On Hop-Off: Plan a 3-day itinerary using the Red Bus to easily reach top attractions, combining city, harbour, and wine routes.

Highlights

Live Bus Tracking: Track buses in real time to plan your day efficiently.

Hop-On Hop-Off Routes: Explore over 30 stops at your own pace across multiple scenic loops.

Panoramic City Views: Open-top sightseeing offers sweeping views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, and Cape Town landmarks.

Family-Friendly Commentary: Multilingual audio guides with a dedicated kids’ channel keep all ages engaged.

Features

Cafes & restaurants
Child friendly
Flexible Stops
Guided walking tours
Heated and sheltered buses
Knowledgeable guides
Live bus tracking
Local insights
Multiple locations
Open-top seating
Panoramic views
Parking available at stops
Photo opportunities
Pre-recorded commentary
Scenic coastal routes
Scenic views
Sightseeing
Sunset tours
Ticket office
Timetable & map
Walk-ins welcome
Weather protection
Wheelchair accessible options
Wi-Fi

Must Tries

Sunset Bus Tour: 2.5 hours of golden-hour views from the open-top bus, with the city and Atlantic coastline as your backdrop.

Purple Wine Tour: Full-day journey through Constantia’s vineyards, sampling wines while enjoying panoramic views along the route.

Multi-Day Hop-On Hop-Off: Plan a 3-day itinerary using the Red Bus to easily reach top attractions, combining city, harbour, and wine routes.

Highlights

Live Bus Tracking: Track buses in real time to plan your day efficiently.

Hop-On Hop-Off Routes: Explore over 30 stops at your own pace across multiple scenic loops.

Panoramic City Views: Open-top sightseeing offers sweeping views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, and Cape Town landmarks.

Family-Friendly Commentary: Multilingual audio guides with a dedicated kids’ channel keep all ages engaged.

Address

Waterfront: Dock Road, V&A Waterfront (Opposite Two Oceans Aquarium)

City Centre: 81 on Long, City Centre

Parking: Available at designated stops.

Opening Hours | Bus Times

Monday – Sunday
Red City Tour	08h00 – 19h51
Blue Mini Peninsula Tour	08h00 – 19h05

First departures start from City Sightseeing Tour Office outside the Two Oceans Aquarium. Buses depart every 20 minutes. Live bus tracking available online.