One of the world's great moments of arrival is cruising into Table Bay on a luxury liner. For most, however, the approach is much less picturesque - indeed, it can be something of a shock. Whether you come in by air or road, there's little chance of avoiding the grey, industrial sprawl and the miles of squatter camps lining the N2 into town.

The airport
Cape Town International Airport (flight information tel 021 934 0407) lies on the Cape Flats, 22km east of the city centre. Two shuttle bus companies, Legend Tours (tel 021 936 2814) and Dumalisile (tel 021 934 1660) have desks in the international arrivals hall outside the baggage reclaim area and run a door-to-door service throughout the Peninsula. Although they don't operate to a strict schedule (they try to take three or four passengers travelling on the same route), you shouldn't have to wait more than fifteen minutes for your minibus to leave. The fare from the airport into the city centre is R110 for the first person and R20 for each additional passenger; to Fish Hoek on the southern section of the Cape Peninsula it's R220 for the first person and R20 per each additional person. An alternative is the similarly priced Magic Bus (tel 021 934 5455), which must be prebooked a day ahead; the bus will meet you at the airport and take you anywhere on the Peninsula.
Metered taxis operated by Touch Down Taxis, the company officially authorized by the airport, rank in reasonable numbers outside both terminals and charge about R150 per person for the trip into the city. Inside the international terminal, you'll find the car rental desks of the major car rental firms. Prebooking a vehicle is recommended, especially during the week when there is a big demand from domestic business travellers, and over the mid-December to mid-January and Easter peak seasons. There are no trains from the airport. A bureau de change is open to coincide with international arrivals.

Intercity buses and trains
Greyhound, Intercape and Translux intercity buses , and mainline trains from other provinces, all terminate in the centre of town around the interlinked central complex that includes the train station and Golden Acre shopping mall, at the junction of Strand and Adderley streets. Note that Intercape and Translux arrive on the northeast side of the station, off Adderley Street, while Greyhound arrives on the northwest side in Adderley itself. The Golden Acre shopping complex can be a confusing muddle, but this is where all rail and bus transport (both intercity and from elsewhere in the city) and most minibus taxis converge - if you use public transport at all, you're bound to find yourself here at some stage. Everything you need for your next move is within two or three blocks of here, including information. There's a left-luggage facility next to platform 24 at the train station (Mon-Fri 7am-4pm).