Car Rental for Cruise Passengers
South Africa is a wonderful destination for cruise passengers who are travelling around the world and stopping at the famous ports of Durban, Cape Town and Richards Bay. Every year we welcome famous cruiselines like Silversea, MSC, Ponant, Virgin, Azamara, Phoenix Reisen and NYK Cruises. With the best road network in Africa, there are so many great opportunities to jump into a car rental and explore for the day at your own pace. Car hire is often a more affordable option than joining a cruise tour or private tour company, especially for couples, families and groups, and there are many sites to visit close to the ports for free, or at very affordable entrance prices.
Woodford Car Hire has a wide range of excellent vehicles to choose from, with the option of baby seats for young children. Woodford is top-rated on review sites and our vehicles are clean and well maintained. We have emergency assistance available should you have any issues with the vehicle, and our staff will help you plan the best routes to ensure your safety and help you make the most of your time before the ship departs.
Woodford Car Hire is usually able to deliver the vehicle right to the port, depending on staff availability - please confirm directly with the branch closer to pick-up time. You also have the option of using e-hailing or taxis to pick the vehicle up from our closest car rental branch.
Cape Town Port
Our Cape Town City branch is located only a few minutes from the passenger terminal in Cape Town. A rental car will give you access to a vast number of places to see around Cape Town. The Chapmans Peak drive is one of the most famous in the world, with breathtaking photo moments as you wind your way past Camps Bay and Hout Bay. Depending on how many hours you have before departure, also consider Cape Point, where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet in spectacular fashion. Track back up through Simonstown and see the penguins at Boulders Beach, and then keep an eye out for whales in False Bay, before grabbing a selfie at the colourful surf cabins in Muizenberg. Finish up with a glass of wine at the world class Constantia Wine Estates, or a casual stroll through Kirstenbosch Gardens. Alternatively, consider a day trip to Franschoek for dining with international chefs, and try out the wine tours at vineyards like Babylonstoren, Spier and La Motte.
Durban Port
The brand new cruise terminal at Durban Harbour is your launchpad into the Zulu kingdom in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Jumping into a rental car will give you the freedom to explore the warm-water coast along the Indian Ocean. Umhlanga is the tourist hotspot with its brand new entourage of shiny high-rises, but you might also like to go back in time with a fine-dining experience at the world famous Oyster Box Hotel. If you're keen to see wildlife, consider Tala Game Reserve within an hour of Durban. The Golden Mile beachfront is one of South Africa's best surfing spots, with a multicultural diversity of runners and families taking a stroll and grabbing a bite. Consider hiring a bicycle and soaking up the ocean air and sun, or pop in at Suncoast Casino for a wide choice of modern dining and entertainment. Our Durban Springfield branch is well placed for your car rental - contact the branch directly to arrange personalised pick-up from the cruise terminal.
Richards Bay Port
Richards Bay is the gateway to the internationally renowned Umfolozi-Hluhluwe Game Reserve, famed for saving the black rhino from extinction. As a "Big Five" destination, you will have the chance to see almost all of South Africa's wildlife species, and the main road through the park is tar-surfaced and perfect for self-driving. This destination will require a full day, so be sure to arrange an early departure from Richards Bay and have your route planned with enough time for the ship's departure. Alternatively, take a drive up to St Lucia town, an exotic tourist hot spot with river cruises to see hippos close-up, with many restaurants serving up a range of local and international cuisine. Contact our Richards Bay branch to confirm collection and return directly at the port.
MSC Summer Cruises
For the thousands of travellers taking advantage of the MSC Cruises leaving from ports like Durban and Cape Town, you may be looking for a convenient way to get from the airport to the cruise terminal. Woodford Car Hire provides free one-way car rentals between the airport and the port - please confirm directly with the airport branch for the availability of staff to provide this service. The advantage of using a car rental for this trip is the opportunity to make stops along the way, such as grabbing lunch at the thriving Umhlanga beach in Durban, or seeing some great tourist sites in Cape Town like Kirstenbosch, Signal Hill or Camps Bay.