Interactive tick list

Cape Town hop on hop off bus tickets for children

Hop-on hop-off bus tour of Cape Town with an optional cruise

★ 4.8 · 4,231 guest ratings

from $32 a headView availability

Answer in brief

On Cape Town hop on hop off buses, children aged 0 to 3 ride free with an adult and children aged 4 to 17 pay the child rate.

Child fares

  • One-day child ticket R2252
  • Kids' audio channel included3
  • Headphones are free4

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Child fares, what the open top deck means for small passengers, and the stops where children have the most fun. All prices come from the operator and the listing.

Editorial team, capetownhoponhopoff.click · Updated November 7, 2026 · A 6 min read

Main facts

  • Under 4Children aged 0 to 3 ride free with an adult.1
  • Ages 4 to 17These riders pay the child rate.1
  • One-day faresThe operator lists R375 for an adult and R225 for a child.2
  • On boardThere is a kids' audio channel and free headphones.3,4
  • BookingThis site's ticket is listed from $32.

Child fares in plain figures

The operator's rule is simple. Children aged 0 to 3 ride free and must be accompanied by an adult, and children aged 4 to 17 pay the child rate.1 The one-day bus ticket is listed at R375 for an adult and R225 for a child, valid for one calendar day during operating hours.2,5 The sunset bus is listed at R265 for an adult and R165 for a child.6

Searching for Cape Town hop on hop off bus tickets leads to two price systems. The operator quotes rand, and the listing for this site quotes a dollar from price.2 The listing is priced from $32, shows a 2-day validity and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Compare the child line, not only the adult one, before you decide.

Remember that a bus ticket does not buy attraction entry. The operator states that standard bus tickets do not include attraction entries.7 Budget for the aquarium, the garden or the Castle on top, and read the figures in the chart below.

Ages and fares

Who pays what

AgeBusGardenMuseum
0 to 3Free with an adult1Free under 620Free under 1821
4 to 5Child rate1Free under 620Free under 1821
6 to 17Child rate1R4018Free under 1821

Fees are the operators' own and may change.

Open top, sun and wind

The operator invites riders to discover Cape Town from the open-top Red Bus.13 For children, open top means exposure. In January the average daily high is 27.7 °C, and in July it is 18.5 °C, with an average daily low of 6.9 °C.14,14 These are figures from the NOAA station at Cape Town International Airport, which is inland.

Camps Bay Beach is well sheltered when the southerly winds blow in the summer months, according to the City.15 On the mountain, the garden's safety page warns that the wind can gust and blow very strongly.16 A child who is comfortable at the beach can feel cold on a moving top deck. Pack a layer for every season.

An open top bus tour in Cape Town also means sun. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water, and sit downstairs if a child gets tired. Cape weather also changes, and the Kirstenbosch page says clouds can descend on the top of Table Mountain with no warning.17 Have a plan B for a mountain stop.

Child prices

What a child pays, in rand

  • Bus, one day225
  • Sunset bus165
  • Kirstenbosch40
  • Castle25

The operator's child fares, the garden's rate for ages 6 to 17 and the Castle's child ticket.2,6,18,19

Keeping children entertained on board

The buses carry audio commentary in 15 languages and a dedicated kids' audio channel.3 Headphones are provided free of charge.4 The listing for this site also lists an audio guide and marks the ticket as wheelchair accessible.

The operator runs a Kids Club, and registration is open only to children between 4 and 17.25 It is worth a look before the trip. Children between 4 and 17 also pay the child fare on the bus.1 Children under 4 are not in the Kids Club age band, but they ride the bus free with an adult.1,25

Guests who rode the bus recently mention a driver pointing out dolphins, friendly staff and an interesting audio guide, and one guest advises allowing a full 2 days. For hop on hop off Cape Town reviews, the listing is rated 4.7 from 4,231 reviews.

Match your family

Which plan suits your children?

Pick the line that sounds like you and read the answer

  • If My child is under 4

    Ride free

    Children aged 0 to 3 ride free with an adult.1

  • If My child loves animals

    Start at the aquarium

    It opens at 09h30 and has nappy changing.8,22

  • If My child needs a stroller

    Zeitz MOCAA allows one

    Park it where the museum asks.23

  • If My child likes climbing

    Try the Boomslang

    It raises visitors 12 m above ground.24

  • If My child tires fast

    Pick the red loop

    It takes about 90 minutes.9

Three tickets

Day ticket, sunset ride or mountain combo

Daytime loops

Day ticket

The site's own pick

  • Valid2 days
  • Rating4.7 from 4,231
  • Pricefrom $32
See this ticket

Late for small ones

Sunset bus

Evening ride to the hill

  • LengthAbout 3 hours
  • Rating4.2 from 69
  • Pricefrom $17
See this ticket

Weather window

Cable car combo

Bus plus the mountain

  • Valid14 days
  • Rating4.6 from 3,465
  • Pricefrom $61
See this ticket

Stops that suit children

The Two Oceans Aquarium is open from 09h30 to 18h00, 7 days a week, and lists nappy changing facilities and wheelchair-friendly flooring.8,22 The operator's family article places it at Stop 1.27 Zeitz MOCAA lets under 18s in free and welcomes strollers, which must be parked in designated areas during specific exhibitions.21,23

At Kirstenbosch, children from 6 to 17 pay R40, and children under 6 are free.18,20 The Boomslang walkway is 130 m long and costs nothing beyond the garden entry.11,28 The Castle of Good Hope charges R25 for children and says it is family and pet-friendly.19,29

For a swim, the operator's family article calls Saunders Rock tidal pool at stop 9 supposed to be one of the safest tidal pools in the city for kids.30 It also places the Sea Point public pool at stop 10.31 Always check conditions on the day. Camps Bay Beach has lifeguards through the summer months.10

Price the day

What the options cost your family

Type your party size and compare the tickets side by side

3 options compared

What the options cost your family

Type your party size and compare the tickets side by side

2 people
  1. Day ticketCruise option · for each guest from $32

    ≈

    View
  2. Sunset busEvening ride · for each guest from $17

    ≈

    View
  3. Cable car comboBus plus mountain · for each guest from $61

    ≈

    View

Converted at the ECB reference rate, from-prices as listed by GetYourGuide. The precise amount is shown when you book.

A family day

A day that fits small legs

  1. 09h30

    Aquarium opens

    It opens at 09h30.8

  2. Mid-morning

    Red loop

    About 90 minutes without getting off.9

  3. Lunch

    Stop at the beach

    Camps Bay has lifeguards in summer.10

  4. Afternoon

    Garden walk

    The Boomslang walkway is 130 m long.11

  5. 16:20

    Last bus from the garden

    The last bus is at 16:20.12

  6. 18h00

    Aquarium closes

    Closing time is 18h00.8

Time budgets for short attention spans

The operator's help centre gives the red loop at about 90 minutes, the blue loop at about 140 minutes and the purple wine loop at about 30 minutes.9 Choose the 90-minute red loop for a first ride with a small child, and keep the longer blue loop for a second day.9 A listing that adds a wine tasting at Groot Constantia sets the tasting for guests aged 18 and over, and children in your group would skip that part of the stop.

The sunset bus lasts approximately 3 hours and is not a hop-on hop-off service.32 That is long for young children, and it ends after dark. Think about bedtime and the way home, and use accredited transport if you leave the bus in the evening.33

The tickets of this operator run by calendar day, not by 24 hours, and a Premium ticket lasts 2 consecutive days.34 Use the second day for the stop that earned the loudest cheers. Pram space and toilet stops are not described on the operator's pages that we read, and it is worth asking at the ticket office at the aquarium before you board.26

Video

Cape Town travel guide with the hop-on hop-off bus

Jens Journeyz on YouTube · Nothing is fetched until you hit play.

Wheelchair-friendly and accessible flooring, parking bays for wheelchair users, first-aid assistance, and nappy changing facilities are on-site.
Two Oceans Aquarium (official site)22

Booking and what to carry

Tickets can be bought online, at the ticket offices at the V&A Waterfront and 81 Long Street, or from the driver, where card payments are preferred.26 Online vouchers are valid for 14 days from the travel date, and a refund carries a R20 fee.35

The listing for this site offers reserve now and pay later as well as free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. That flexibility suits families whose plans move with a nap or a mood.

Pack water, a hat, a layer, snacks and something to draw with. Keep track of the live bus tracker to avoid standing in the sun longer than needed.36 Hop on at any official stop, and give yourself permission to skip stops.37

Safety and manners with young passengers

The City of Cape Town advises visitors to keep their possessions on them and in sight at all times, and not to walk in deserted or dark areas.38,39 With children, add a simple rule that nobody wanders off at a stop, and agree a meeting spot before you step down.

At Kirstenbosch, picnics are allowed on the lawns but chairs, tables, umbrellas and tents may not be brought in, and braais are not allowed.40,41 The garden is a no-bins garden, and a bag for rubbish is useful.42 Behind the garden, the mountain has steep gorges, and the safety page advises never hiking alone and staying in a group of 5 or more.43

On the beach, lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer months at Camps Bay, and no dogs are allowed between 09:00 and 18:00 from November until March.10,44 Children who want to meet dogs will need to wait for the evening. Ask the lifeguard about the day's conditions before anyone swims.

FAQ

Questions answered quickly.

Do children pay on the hop-on hop-off bus?
Yes, from age 4.

Children aged 0 to 3 ride free, and children aged 4 to 17 pay the child rate.1

How much is a child ticket for one day?
R225.

The adult one-day ticket is R375.2

Is the bus open top?
Yes.

The operator promotes the open-top Red Bus.13

Is there a kids' channel on the audio guide?
Yes.

Commentary is offered in 15 languages with a dedicated kids' channel.3

Are headphones free?
Yes.

They are provided free of charge.4

Can a stroller go into Zeitz MOCAA?
Yes, with limits.

It must be parked in designated areas during specific exhibitions.23

How long is the red loop?
About 90 minutes.

The blue loop takes about 140 minutes.9

What do reviews say?
Positive.

The listing is rated 4.7 from 4,231 reviews.

Sources

  1. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · FAQ Help Centre, Cape Town ↩
  2. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour ↩
  3. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour ↩
  4. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · FAQ Help Centre, Cape Town ↩
  5. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour ↩
  6. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Sunset Bus Experience ↩
  7. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · FAQ Help Centre, Cape Town ↩
  8. Two Oceans Aquarium (official site) · Visit us ↩
  9. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · FAQ Help Centre, Cape Town ↩
  10. City of Cape Town (official site) · Camps Bay Beach ↩
  11. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Tree Canopy Walkway ↩
  12. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Information ↩
  13. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour ↩
  14. NOAA · Global Summary of the Month, Station Cape Town International Airport (NOAA GHCN SFM00068816), 1971 to 2020 + 1991 - 2020 ↩
  15. City of Cape Town (official site) · Camps Bay Beach ↩
  16. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Safety on the Mountain ↩
  17. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Safety on the Mountain ↩
  18. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Information ↩
  19. Castle of Good Hope (official site) · Visitors Information ↩
  20. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Information ↩
  21. Zeitz MOCAA (official site) · Plan your visit ↩
  22. Two Oceans Aquarium (official site) · Visit us ↩
  23. Zeitz MOCAA (official site) · Plan your visit ↩
  24. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Tree Canopy Walkway ↩
  25. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Kids Club registration ↩
  26. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · FAQ Help Centre, Cape Town ↩
  27. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Family planning article ↩
  28. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Tree Canopy Walkway ↩
  29. Castle of Good Hope (official site) · Visitors Information ↩
  30. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Family planning article ↩
  31. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Family planning article ↩
  32. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · Sunset Bus Experience ↩
  33. City of Cape Town (official site) · General safety tips for visitors ↩
  34. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · FAQ Help Centre, Cape Town ↩
  35. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · FAQ Help Centre, Cape Town ↩
  36. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · FAQ Help Centre, Cape Town ↩
  37. City Sightseeing South Africa (operator official site) · FAQ Help Centre, Cape Town ↩
  38. City of Cape Town (official site) · General safety tips for visitors ↩
  39. City of Cape Town (official site) · General safety tips for visitors ↩
  40. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Garden Rules ↩
  41. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Garden Rules ↩
  42. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Garden Rules ↩
  43. SANBI Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (official site) · Safety on the Mountain ↩
  44. City of Cape Town (official site) · Camps Bay Beach ↩

Related guides

More stops, plans and questions

GuideThe red bus stops in orderGuideCamps Bay stopGuideKirstenbosch stopGuideTable Mountain and Waterfront stops

Last call for the bus

Keep a seat on the top deck.

You keep a free exit until the day before the ride, and the booking panel shows open dates and today's price for the bus ticket in Cape Town.

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