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Cape Town Tours

A guide to getting to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Where is Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden located?

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden entrance with glass conservatory and stone steps.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden sits in Newlands on the eastern flank of Table Mountain, about 13km from central Cape Town. From the City Bowl or the V&A Waterfront, the simplest route is south via the M3 and Rhodes Drive. Driving or taking a ride-hail is the fastest option; the most rewarding approach is the same route in daylight, with Table Mountain rising above the garden as you arrive.

  • Address: Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town, 7735, South Africa | Find on maps
  • Closest landmark: University of Cape Town upper campus, a short drive north.

Compare your travel options

Mode of transportTravel timeBest for

🚗 Car / Ride-hail

20 to 30 mins

Fastest from central Cape Town and the Waterfront

🚌 Public bus

35 to 45 mins

Cheapest public option if you don’t mind a less-direct trip

🚌 City Sightseeing bus

45 to 75 mins

Car-free sightseeing day with Kirstenbosch built in

How to get to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

  • From central Cape Town or the V&A Waterfront, the usual route is via the M3 southbound, then Rhodes Drive toward Newlands.
  • Travel time is typically 20 to 30 mins from town, 20 to 30 mins from the Waterfront, and shorter from Claremont or Constantia.
  • Accessibility is strongest by car because you can park closest to the lower-garden access.
  • Practical hack: if you are coming from the City Bowl, use the M3 rather than cross-city suburban roads.
  • On-site parking is available, which makes driving one of the easiest ways in.
  • The main lots by the Rhodes Drive entrance are the most useful for the Visitor’s Centre and lower paths.
  • Accessible parking is closest to the main arrival area.
  • Practical hack: parking pressure is highest on Sunday concert evenings and spring weekends, so the first lot you find is usually the best one to take.
  • A taxi or ride-hail is the simplest car-free option, usually taking 20 to 30 mins from central Cape Town or the Waterfront and less from the southern suburbs.
  • Uber and Bolt both operate in Cape Town. The best drop-off is at the main Rhodes Drive entrance by the Visitor’s Centre.
  • Accessibility depends on the vehicle booked, but drop-off avoids the longer walk from outer parking bays.
  • Practical hack: book your return before leaving on busy Sunday evenings.
  • Public transit works, but it is less direct than driving.
  • MyCiTi services the southern suburbs corridor, and Kirstenbosch is usually a two-step trip rather than a true door-to-door ride.
  • Travel time is about 35 to 45 mins from central Cape Town, depending on connections. MyCiTi buses are step-free, but the final approach depends on where you get off.
  • Practical hack: use the bus only if you are already staying along the line.
  • Kirstenbosch is a regular stop on Cape Town’s City Sightseeing network, which makes it practical if you are already using the bus to move between major city sights.
  • Travel time depends on where you board and how many stops come first.
  • Accessibility is better than regular public transit because the stop is designed around visitor use.
  • Practical hack: this works best as part of a same-day sightseeing loop, not as the fastest direct transfer.

Book Kirstenbosch tickets

Cape Town: Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Entry Tickets

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Robben Island Guided Prison Tour with Museum Entry & Round-Trip Ferry Transfers

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Traffic, timings & practical tips

  • Rhodes Drive and the M3 are usually slowest 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm on weekdays, when a simple city-center trip can stretch toward 30 mins.
  • Sunday evenings from November to April are the busiest access window because Summer Sunset Concert traffic shares the same approach roads and parking.
  • Mode switch: from central Cape Town, a direct ride-hail usually stays closer to 20 to 30 mins, while public transport is closer to 35 to 45 mins.
  • Check Google Maps on the M3 and Rhodes Drive before leaving.

Frequently asked questions about getting to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Driving or taking a ride-hail is the best way. It is the most direct option from central Cape Town and usually takes 20 to 30 mins, while public transport is slower and less straightforward for the final approach.