What time do MyCiTi buses start and stop running?
MyCiTi buses serve the city bowl, Atlantic Seaboard, and major suburbs. On weekdays and Saturdays, the first buses leave depots around 05:00. The last buses depart the Civic Centre station around 22:00.
Weekday and Saturday frequency
On core routes, buses run every 10 to 20 minutes during the day. After 19:00, intervals stretch to 30 minutes. By 21:30, most feeder routes have stopped. The trunk routes between the Civic Centre and Table View or Atlantis run until 22:00.
Sunday and public holiday schedule
First buses start later, around 06:00 to 07:00. Last buses finish by 20:00 on most routes. Frequency drops to every 30 to 60 minutes. If you are heading to the airport on a Sunday evening, check the timetable for your specific stop: the last airport bus leaves earlier than the weekday schedule suggests.
Key routes to know
- Airport to Civic Centre: Runs 05:00 to 21:00 daily, including Sundays.
- Hout Bay to Civic Centre: Last bus from Hout Bay at 20:30 weekdays, 19:00 Sundays.
- Table Mountain lower cableway station to Civic Centre: Last bus at 19:30 weekdays, 18:00 Sundays.
If you are catching a late flight or coming back from dinner in the V&A Waterfront after 21:30, MyCiTi is not your option.
When do Metrorail trains run in Cape Town?
Cape Town’s Metrorail serves the Southern Suburbs, Northern Suburbs, and the Cape Flats. Service is built around commuter peaks.
Peak periods Monday to Friday
Morning peak runs 05:00 to 09:00. Trains run every 15 to 20 minutes on the main lines: Cape Town to Simon’s Town, Cape Town to Bellville, Cape Town to Worcester. Afternoon peak runs 15:30 to 18:30 at the same frequency.
Off-peak and weekend schedules
Outside peak hours, trains run every 30 to 60 minutes. Some branch lines stop entirely after 19:00. Saturdays mirror weekday off-peak, with last trains around 20:00. Sundays see the first train around 07:00 and the last around 19:00. Some stations close by 18:00.
Last train departures
The last northbound train from Cape Town station departs at 20:30 on weekdays, 18:30 on Sundays. If you are visiting Boulders Beach, the last train back to Cape Town from Simon’s Town leaves at 19:30 weekdays and 18:00 Sundays.
Do minibus taxis run late at night in Cape Town?
Minibus taxis are the backbone of transport for many Capetonians. They run fixed routes and operate on a fill-up-and-go basis.
Typical operating hours
Service runs roughly 05:00 to 20:00. On major routes like Khayelitsha to Cape Town or Mitchells Plain to Mowbray, you can find a minibus as early as 04:30 and as late as 21:00. After 20:00, frequency drops sharply. By 22:00, most routes are empty.
Sunday and holiday availability
Many drivers take the day off. Service is thinner, with some routes not operating at all. If you rely on minibus taxis, have a backup plan for Sunday evenings.
Where they go and where they do not
Minibus taxis cover the city bowl, Langa, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Bellville, and the N2 corridor. They do not serve the Atlantic Seaboard (Camps Bay, Clifton) or the Constantia winelands. For those areas, you need another option.
Are Uber and Bolt available 24 hours in Cape Town?
Uber and Bolt operate around the clock in the city bowl, Atlantic Seaboard, Southern Suburbs, and Northern Suburbs.
Wait times by area
In the city bowl, V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, and Green Point, cars arrive within 5 minutes at any hour. In Camps Bay, Hout Bay, and Constantia, wait times increase to 10 to 15 minutes after 22:00, but cars are available. In the Cape Flats and townships, availability drops after midnight. Drivers may decline trips to some areas; check the app before relying on it.
When surge pricing hits
Peaks occur after bar closing times (02:00 to 03:00 on weekends) and during load shedding when traffic lights are out. Expect 1.5x to 2.5x multipliers.
Airport runs at odd hours
An Uber or Bolt from the airport to the city bowl at 04:00 is available. Allow 25 minutes from the city bowl, 35 minutes from Sea Point.
What are Cape Town International Airport’s operating hours?
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) runs 24/7. The terminal never closes.
Domestic flight windows
Domestic flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg or Durban see first departures at 06:00 and last arrivals at 21:00. Between 21:00 and 06:00, there are no scheduled domestic flights.
International flight patterns
International flights are more variable. Departures to London, Dubai, and Doha leave between 19:00 and 23:00. Arrivals from those cities land between 05:00 and 07:00.
Getting to the airport before 06:00
MyCiTi does not run that early. Uber and Bolt are your options. Plan for 25 minutes from the city bowl, 35 minutes from Sea Point.
How do Sunday and public holiday schedules differ?
On Sundays, MyCiTi runs 06:00 to 20:00 with reduced frequency. Metrorail runs 07:00 to 19:00 on limited lines. Minibus taxis are sparse; some routes do not run. Uber and Bolt operate their normal 24/7 service.
On public holidays, MyCiTi and Metrorail both run a Sunday schedule. Minibus taxi availability varies; many drivers take the day off. Check the South Africa public holidays 2026 page for exact dates.
How do I get to Table Mountain and other attractions using public transport?
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
The cableway opens at 08:30. The last ascent is 30 minutes before closing. Closing times vary by season: summer 19:00, winter 17:00. The MyCiTi bus to the lower cableway station departs for the last time at 19:30 weekdays and 18:00 Sundays. Miss it and you need an Uber or Bolt.
V&A Waterfront
Multiple MyCiTi routes stop at the Waterfront. The last buses leave around 21:00. Uber and Bolt are available 24/7.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch opens at 08:00 and closes at 19:00 in summer, 18:00 in winter. MyCiTi does not serve Kirstenbosch. Take a minibus taxi from Mowbray station or an Uber.
Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town
Take Metrorail to Simon’s Town station. The last train back to Cape Town departs Simon’s Town at 19:30 weekdays, 18:00 Sundays. After the last train, Uber and Bolt are available.
Cape Town public transport hours at a glance
| Service | Weekday hours | Sunday hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyCiTi bus | 05:00-22:00 | 06:00-20:00 | Reduced frequency Sundays |
| Metrorail (peak) | 05:00-09:00, 15:30-18:30 | 07:00-19:00 | Off-peak every 30-60 min |
| Minibus taxis | 05:00-20:00 | Variable, reduced | Not on Atlantic Seaboard |
| Uber/Bolt | 24/7 | 24/7 | Surge pricing after midnight |
| Cape Town Airport | 24/7 terminal | 24/7 | No domestic flights 21:00-06:00 |
| Table Mountain cableway | 08:30, closing | 08:30, closing | Last ascent 30 min before close |
For business hours of shops, banks, and restaurants, see the business hours in Cape Town guide. For sunrise and sunset times that affect your travel planning, check the Cape Town sunrise and sunset times page.