Waverley

Selwyn, thanks for the info that not all car hire places have the cell phone option. I rented through National which was actually the cheapest deal. At that time it was MUCH cheaper than Tempest. I went onto sidestep.com which brings up all the car hire prices and compares them.

bengali

Hi everyone! <BR>Thank you so very much for all of the responses re. nightlife, things to do, and the cell phone issue. that is a fabulous idea and it never occured to me to do that on past trips. <BR><BR>Selwyn, your email was so helpful that I have already jotted down many notes, and I will be in touch directly re. the Clara Anna Fontein. Everyone else, I am just so thrilled that you have taken the time to write and help out.<BR><BR>The information re. the jazz clubs/bars is great! My sister is very much a city-person (as opposed to my husband, who is obsessed with nature), so I do think we will spend most of our time in Cape Town proper. I would also like to see some of south africa's history...i.e. some have recommended a tour of District Six? Any thoughts on this? How would I set that up? We will be staying at the Cape Grace and I am assuming they could arrange a tour - what would you recommend?<BR><BR>In terms of cultural shows, etc, your input was already very helpful. The music sounds wonderful there and I know we'll want to take it all in.<BR><BR>And Selwyn, thanks for the warning about the weather! both of my previous trips to cape town have been at the same time of year, so i am prepared. <BR><BR>Again, I appreciate all your help. And if anyone thinks of anything else, please do feel free to re-post. What would some of the best lunch places be...in the sense of &quot;best quick meal for a reasonable price&quot;? While dinners I feel should be delicious and elaborate, lunch in my opinion should be delicious and cheap! would love to hear thoughts.<BR>bengali

Harold

Waverley, I just now tried sidestep.com, but it linked into a site hotwire.com that returns the message &quot;...services not provided at that location, pick another location..&quot; when I enter Johannesburg, South Africa as the rental location. What have I missed?

Selwyn_Davidowitz

Harold,<BR><BR>May I suggest that you bring you personal cellphone with you + card. On arrival at the airport test if this works. If it does then use your phone. If it does not then go to the Vodacom Cellucity counter and ask them if you can hire their phone ONLY and test your card. If this works then this will be the option to follow. If it does not work then hire the total package from Vodacom Cellucity.<BR><BR>Thats my advice.<BR><BR>Selwyn Davidowitz.<BR>[email protected]<BR><BR><BR>

Selwyn_Davidowitz

Bengali,<BR><BR>Thanks for your positive comments.<BR><BR>When you write to me about Clara Anna Fontein I will respond with what I suggest you do about District 6 and visiting the area.<BR><BR>Sounds like you are in for one great time in Cape Town.<BR><BR>Selwyn Davidowitz.<BR>[email protected]<BR>

Waverley

Harold, not sure what you are doing &quot;incorrectly&quot;, but I just tried it again for next month leaving from Johannesburg and it brought up a whole lot of choices, alamo being the cheapest in the economy car range. (Just trying anything). Try this link <BR>http://www.sidestep.com/open.html?<BR>SbAutoOpen=1<BR><BR>Click on cars. I did not get into hotwire at all.

pattysuericia

Dear Gilcmorris, there is a low cost airline,it is: kulula

Harold

Waverley, I was able to get into Sidestep.com, at last. Here is what I found. I asked for a mid-sized car for one week in Johannesburg in mid-May. Alamo came up as cheapest by a large amount. This is the basic rental fee and does not included taxes, fees, insurance, etc. I then went to Alamo.com and input the same info. That site requires you to input your country of origin (could this make a difference on price?). That site stated that no mid-size cars were available during the period and I chose a class of ..&quot;Honda Civic, or similiar&quot;.<BR>There is a place to input promotions, quicksilver #, etc., which would presumably lower the rate. The calculator came up with a weekly rental of R 1503. That is a super price and so I called Alamo in Johannesburg to confirm that was a correct price (not that it would do me any good as I've already booked a car). The agent said that the price was an international booking and that the rate would be honored, but when I went thru it with her she said that the colision damage wavier and theft waiver weren't included in the price and should be. This adds another R 91 per day to the rental. I didn't think to ask if VAT at 14% has to be charged on the CDW, but if not with this addition, the price is only slightly higher than the Tempest booking I have made.<BR><BR>Assuming sidestep.com may have some economies of scale, I went back to sidestep.com and took Alamo's best rate for the car class and added on the information obtained (premium location, contract fee, CDW and VAT). This exercise gave me a weekly rental of $ 30 less than Tempest. So I have concluded that Alamo and Tempest are in the ballpark.<BR><BR>I was struck by how much higher Avis, National and Europa Car were over Alamo.<BR><BR>

Waverley

Alamo and National are one and the same, so while I booked with Alamo, I had to look for National in the car park when returning the car to Cape Town airport, ( and believe me, it is VERY well hidden). <BR><BR>I did take all the insurnaces which add on a lot.<BR><BR>On thinking about the free cell phone rental, I think that perhaps more car hire companies than not give the cell phones. I have found that not one single car hire company that we have used tell you this, you have to know to ask.<BR><BR>In fact, when I am back there in May, I am going to survey them. (I'll be in Joburg for the week and so will have PLENTY of free time.)<BR>

Gillcmorris

Thanks Pattysuericia that was the website I was looking for.