Made by the team behind Clearpath Routes, our own navigation app. Where we mention it, we are recommending our own product.
Two different people will ask you for money when you park in Cape Town. One is a City marshal with a machine, the other is a car guard in a vest. Both are normal.
Informal attendants in reflective vests who watch cars in a street or public car park. They are not municipal employees and are not paid a wage. R5 to R10 for a short stop, R10 to R20 for a few hours or after dark, paid in coins when you leave.
Marked bays in the CBD, Sea Point, Green Point, Camps Bay, Kalk Bay and around the V&A are run by City of Cape Town marshals in branded bibs. Roughly R12 to R20 per hour depending on the zone, charged in 15-minute units, card and cash accepted from a handheld machine.
Street parking is usually chargeable Monday to Friday 08:00-17:00 and Saturday 08:00-13:00, free on Sundays and public holidays. Signage at the bay overrides this.
The V&A Waterfront and Cape Town CBD garages run about R10 for the first hour rising to R60-R80 for a full day. A garage is always the safer choice for an overnight stay.
Maiden's Cove, Llandudno, Boulders and Cape Point car parks are the most common break-in spots for visitors. Leave the car visibly empty, including the boot, and take valuables with you.
Overstaying a bay is roughly R100-R500 by municipal notice. Cape Town does not routinely clamp private cars, but it does tow from red lines and loading zones.
Parking at the airport? See our sister site capetownairportparking.com.
FAQ
R5 to R10 for a short stop such as a shop or a restaurant, and R10 to R20 if the car has been there a few hours or it is after dark. Pay when you leave, not when you arrive, and pay in coins. Car guards are informal, not municipal employees.
No. They are an informal part of everyday parking in South Africa. They do not replace paid street parking: in a marked bay you still pay the City marshal as well.
Full disclosure: Clearpath Routes is our own app. It is a safe-route navigation app for Cape Town, made by the same team as this guide.
