City guides
Car hire in Hermanus
By CarRentalZA editorial team · 6 min read · Updated 29 September 2026
- Nearest airport
- Cape Town International, about 120 km
- Drive from Cape Town
- About 1 hour 30 minutes via the N2 and R43
- Scenic alternative
- Clarence Drive, the R44 coastal road, allow longer
- Small car, from
- About R202 a day nationally (Discover Cars, 29 September 2026)
- Whale season
- Roughly June to December, busiest around September and October
Car hire in Hermanus is a small local market, and most visitors actually collect their vehicle at Cape Town International and drive the roughly 120 km along the N2 and R43, which takes about an hour and a half, because the choice of brands and vehicles at the airport is far wider than anything available in town.
Hermanus is a whale watching destination, so demand and parking pressure both peak between June and December.
Below: your realistic options, national rate benchmarks, the two routes from Cape Town, and parking advice for whale season.
Where to collect a car for Hermanus
Cape Town International is the practical answer for most visitors. Every brand is there, the fleet is deep and you can start driving straight from the airport, which is what nearly everyone does.
Hermanus itself has a limited local rental presence. It works if you are already in town, have arrived by shuttle and need a car for a few days, but the choice is narrow and booking ahead is essential in season.
If you are combining Hermanus with the winelands or the Garden Route, collecting in Cape Town is the obvious plan since you would be passing through anyway.
Which rental brands have a presence in Hermanus
| Brand | Presence |
|---|---|
| Hertz | Hermanus presence |
Coverage for the other brands on this site varies in the Overberg, and most serve Hermanus visitors from Cape Town instead. Check availability for your dates rather than assuming a local counter, and plan around a Cape Town collection if a specific brand matters to you.
What you can expect to pay
Hermanus rates depend far more on Cape Town supply than on anything local, since that is where most of the vehicles come from.
| What price comparison sites showed on 29 September 2026 | Per day |
|---|---|
| Discover Cars, small car, from | R202 |
| Discover Cars, average rental in South Africa | R271 |
| Discover Cars, premium car, from | R837 |
| Cheapflights, average paid over the last 12 months | R556 |
These figures come from Discover Cars and Cheapflights. Most are national, not Hermanus quotes. A "from" price is the cheapest car found on the day; an average includes bigger cars and longer rentals, which is why the two sites differ so much. Discover Cars puts December at about R474 a day against about R387 in September, so holiday dates cost more.
Whale season and the December holidays are when the Overberg fills up. If your dates fall in September or October, or over the festive period, book the car at the same time as the accommodation.
The two drives from Cape Town
There are two ways to get here and they are not the same trip.
The N2 over Sir Lowry's Pass and then the R43 through Botrivier is the faster route, about an hour and a half. Sir Lowry's Pass draws fog and wind and is steep in both directions, so take it steadily.
Clarence Drive, the R44 that hugs the coast from Gordon's Bay round to Rooi Els and Betty's Bay, is one of the best coastal drives in the country. It is tarred and safe but slow and winding, with baboons on the road near Rooi Els. Allow an extra half hour at least, and more if you stop, which you will.
Baboons in the Overberg and on the peninsula will open an unlocked car and take food. Keep windows up and doors locked when you park, and never leave food visible.
Parking and driving in Hermanus
Hermanus is small and easy to drive in, but parking in season is the pinch point. The cliff path, the harbour and Marine Drive fill from mid morning on good whale days, and the Whale Festival weekend fills the whole town.
Practical notes:
- Arrive early for the cliff path parking areas, or park further back and walk.
- Car guards work most of the public parking areas.
- The R43 through town slows to a crawl at peak times in season.
- Onrus, Vermont and Sandbaai just outside town are quieter for parking and a short drive back in.
Roads in the Overberg are tarred and in good condition on the main routes. Some wine farm and guest farm approaches are gravel, which is where your rental agreement's unsurfaced road clause matters.
Drive times from Hermanus
Approximate one way driving times:
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town International | About 120 km | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Somerset West | About 80 km | 1 hour |
| Stellenbosch | About 105 km | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Gansbaai | About 45 km | 40 minutes |
| Cape Agulhas | About 170 km | 2 hours |
| Franschhoek via the R45 | About 130 km | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| George | About 380 km | 4 hours |
Gansbaai is the usual add on for shark cage diving, and Cape Agulhas as the southernmost point of Africa makes a full day out from here.
Frequently asked questions
Should I hire a car in Hermanus or Cape Town?
Cape Town, in most cases. The airport has every brand and a much deeper fleet, and the drive is only about an hour and a half. Local Hermanus options exist but are limited, so they suit people already in town rather than arriving visitors.
Which car hire companies are in Hermanus?
Hertz has a Hermanus presence. Coverage for the other brands on this site varies in the Overberg and most serve Hermanus visitors from Cape Town, so check availability for your dates instead of assuming a local counter.
How long is the drive from Cape Town to Hermanus?
About 120 km and roughly an hour and a half via the N2 over Sir Lowry's Pass and the R43. The coastal R44 Clarence Drive is slower but far more scenic, so allow at least an extra half hour and expect to stop.
How much is car hire in Hermanus?
On 29 September 2026 Discover Cars showed small cars across South Africa from about R202 a day and an average rental of R271 a day, and Cheapflights' average over the previous 12 months was R556 a day. Prices move with the season, how early you book, how long you keep the car and the excess cover you choose, so get a quote for your dates.
Is parking difficult in Hermanus during whale season?
Yes, from roughly June to December and especially around September and October. The cliff path, harbour and Marine Drive areas fill from mid morning. Arrive early, or park in Onrus or Sandbaai and drive in later when it clears.
Do baboons really break into cars in the Overberg?
Yes. Baboons along Clarence Drive and around Betty's Bay and Rooi Els will open unlocked doors and take food. Keep windows up, doors locked and food out of sight. Do not feed them, and do not try to chase one out of a car.
Do I need a 4x4 for Hermanus and the Overberg?
No. The N2, the R43 and Clarence Drive are all tarred and a hatchback is fine. Some wine and guest farm approaches are gravel, so check the unsurfaced road clause in your rental agreement before turning off the main roads.
