520

We are thinking of leaving one/two pieces of luggage at the Cape Town airport for the nine days we are in Botswana and Namibia. Some of the posters here have mentioned theft at the Johannesberg airport and I am concerned about the security at the left luggage at the Cape Town International Airport. Does anyone have any experience, information, guidance? Many thanks.

Arbizulu

Hi there
I don't think you will have a problem with your luggage if you leave it at the Baggage Storage facility. The theft occurs when the bags are in transit, but I have never heard of a problem with left luggage. There are 2 storage facilities at Cape Town airport, one in the Domestic Arrivals area and one in the International Departures area. If you go online to the ACSA website they do give prices etc. Here is the link http://www.airports.co.za/home.asp?pid=1157#baggage. Hope this helps.
Peggylou

520

Thanks, Peggy. I had checked out the prices but was more concerned about the security. Your comments are reassuring. Leaving them at the airport would definitely be the most convenient way to do things. My other concern is whether or not to take a taxi upon our arrival in Cape Town or go with a "transfer" to our hotel in Camps Bay. The transfer quote from our TA is pretty hefty (400 ZAR)and I've checked out a couple of companies on the Web whose quotes come in much lower. Is there one that you/anyone would recommend?

santharamhari

520,

Selwyn on these boards has a lot of Cape Town information, as he lives there. Hopefully, he will be able to see this and help you out.....

Hari

kerikeri

are you staying at the bay hotel? (really the only hotel in camp's bay). they can organize a transfer for you and you can charge it to your room. i think it was only 250 rand but not positive...whatever it was it was less than 400.

also i left all my belongings (i was in africa for several months) in left luggage at jnb in locked bags and highly recommend the service as safe, reliable and friendly. and cheap!

kerikeri

momofmany

We just returned from Africa and I had planned on using the locker at the Jburg airport. I asked my travel agent (in advance)if we could store it at the airport sun where we stayed one night. The TA said no but when we got there the staff at the Airport Sun were happy to store our bags for the week(no charge!). Will you have a layover in CP? I suggest you call the hotel directly and see if they will store it as TA's don't always give accurate info(don't get me started on our TA-she was AWFUL!!!). One tip, if you are traveling from the USA where we are not allowed to lock luggage, bring some ties to secure your luggage for storage. Hope that helps

momofmany

520

we can't leave our bags at our hotel (Camps Bay Retreat)in Camps Bay as we're going to be in the winelands when we return. Our TA did advise us to leave our luggage at the Cape Town Airport and the ties are a good idea; TSA broke the locks on our luggage so I can't lock it anymore.

And I've gotten some decent quotes on a transfer/shuttle to Camps Bay from Sean's Shuttle (??) the Airport. Is anyone familiar with it?

santharamhari

momofmany,

There are special TSA approved locks that are available at most stores across the States.....you can use them

Hari

Selwyn_Davidowitz

520

You can leave your luggage at the Cape Town airport. If you are leaving it at the national arrivals hall you will find the room where luggage is stored about 20 meters from the front door on the left hand side. Cost of luggage storage is R20/bag/day and their telephone number is 021 936 2884.

If you leave luggage in the International arrival and departure hall you do so at the luggage shop (there is only one) with telephone number 021 936 2342. Once again the cost is R20/bag/day.

In the past I have had visitors use both these facilities quite successfully.


Anybody who is charging you R400 for an airport shuttle from Camps bay to the airport is ripping you off. The cost should be in the vicinity of R235 for two people.

I do not know of Seans shuttle as I use a company called CA shuttles who are very reliable and well priced. They for instance charge R235 if I am not mistaken. To find out more you can write to Cyreline at [email protected]

Hope this all helps you in making your Cape Town stay a happy one.

Very proudly part of the wonderful nation of South Africa

520

Many thanks, Selwyn. I'll try CA shuttle. Hari, I had the TSA approved lock on my luggage, but they went ahead and cut through the clips on the luggage which hold the lock--and when I appealed/sought reimbursement on the TSA site, they very generously offered $10 to replace the lock itself, which was undamaged--and the TSA rep with whom I spoke advised me never to use the locks, as they wouldn't prevent just what happened to me.

santharamhari

520,

My goodness!!! Travelling is getting more and more complicated.....

Hari

520

For the past week, my TA and I've been trying to contact the shuttle service Selwyn recommended([email protected]) but the e-mail doesn't go through--either from SA or US. Selwyn, if you're reading this, do you have their phone number? I'd prefer to use a service that comes recommended. Or if anyone else has one they can recommend, that'd be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

Thanks.

ArthurSA

Selwyn is the Cape Town and Western Cape expert. And being in Jo'burg I don't have a CT directory. But in case he's of-line for a while, I used the online Yellow Pages (www.yellowpages.co.za) and entered CA shuttles. C A Shuttle and Tours was on the first page of 64 "matches".

The phone # listed in the linked detail page seems to be correct (+27 21 9054109), although I got voicemail when I called. Which I guess will be a problem for you if that's the norm. But perhaps the e-mail address listed there is also current, it is [email protected]. There is also a fax #, +27 21 9054108

Selwyn_Davidowitz

520,

Firstly ArthurSA thanks very much for standing in and trying to help.

The email address for CA shuttles has changed to [email protected].

Their telephone number is +27 21 905 4108 (Speak to Mandy) or else try +27 83 282 8238.

Sorry about the wrong email address but CA shuttles changed their address two weeks ago and I did not know about this.

Hope this all helps.

Very proudly part of the wonderful nation of South Africa

520

Thank you Selwyn and Arthur; I've just written to Mandy at the new e-mail address for CA shuttle and will let you know how it goes. Arthur, I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to check out their contact information. For whatever reason, we weren't able to get it on the yellow pages directory--but, from what Selwyn wrote, it looks as if their e-mail info is not current in their listing.

ArthurSA

Here's a ridiculously long URL (hence my using Tiny URL) that may get you to the first page of the search pages I generated, from where you can select "C A Shuttle ands Tours". (The first of two entries, I think.) http://tinyurl.com/ylofc7

Although it won't give you any further info than you already have, except their address. And as you say, the e-mail address listed there seems to be incorrect.

520

Thanks, Arthur. I have heard from Mandy, explaining that they moved their offices and all their contact information is changed (I assume that means phones, also). In any event the new e-mail address is: [email protected]. She said my reservation is confirmed--although didn't send a voucher or ask for payment, so I'm still a bit leery--but I've asked her about both of them.

Thanks again for being so helpful...and resourceful.

Selwyn_Davidowitz

520,

You do not need a voucher or have to pay upfront with CA Shuttles. Thats simply how the system works and it works well. Trust me I have used their facilities many times in the past with great success throughout.

All that will happen is the CA Shuttles driver will be waiting for you with name board in hand and you can pay him after your shuttle. This will mean that you will need SA currency (US$ is not a recognised form of payment in SA) which I suggest you collect at an airport ATM if Cape Town is your first stop. Also remember to tip the driver about 10%.

Hope this helps.

Very proudly part of the wonderful nation of South Africa

520

Thanks, Selwyn. I kind of thought that might be how it would be done--but none of it was spelled out, and I've learned it's always best to ask. And thanks for the rand suggestion--we always convert some money before leaving the U.S. to speed things along when we arrive. Very much looking forward to visitng your wonderful country. (By the way the 400 ZAR quote I originally mentioned wasn't for a shuttle service but for a private car service which did more or less jibe with other quotes I saw on the net. We just didn't feel any need for one at that cost.)