City guides
Car hire in Somerset West
By CarRentalZA editorial team · 5 min read · Updated 29 September 2026
- Nearest airport
- Cape Town International, about 35 km
- Airport to Somerset West
- Roughly 30 minutes on the N2
- Stellenbosch
- About 25 km, roughly 25 minutes
- Small car, from
- About R202 a day nationally (Discover Cars, 29 September 2026)
- Scenic route
- Clarence Drive, the R44 from Gordon's Bay to Hermanus
Car hire in Somerset West is convenient because Cape Town International is only about 35 km and half an hour away on the N2, which makes this one of the easiest parts of the Cape to reach with a hire car, and the town sits within twenty five minutes of Stellenbosch and an hour of Hermanus.
It is a practical base for the winelands and the Overberg without staying in central Cape Town.
Below: your collection options, national rate benchmarks, the passes and coastal roads, and drive times around the false bay corner.
Where to collect a car in Somerset West
Cape Town International is the practical answer for most visitors. It is half an hour away on the N2, every brand is there and the fleet is deep.
Somerset West itself has a local rental presence, which suits people already in town or extending a hire.
If you are staying in the Helderberg area and only need a car for part of your trip, a local collection can work out cheaper than paying for a car to sit at the guest house, since the town centre and Somerset Mall are close together.
Which rental brands have a presence in Somerset West
| Brand | Presence |
|---|---|
| Tempest | Somerset West presence |
Coverage for the other brands on this site varies in the Helderberg, and most serve the area from Cape Town International half an hour away. Check availability for your dates rather than assuming a local counter.
What you can expect to pay
Somerset West draws on the Cape Town fleet, so its pricing behaves like Cape Town's, including the December spike.
| 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 Somerset West 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.
If your dates fall between mid December and mid January, book early. The whole Cape rental market tightens in that window and last minute quotes are unpleasant.
Driving around Somerset West
The N2 runs past the town, west to Cape Town and east over Sir Lowry's Pass towards the Overberg. Sir Lowry's is steep in both directions and draws fog and strong wind, so take it steadily and keep your following distance behind trucks.
Clarence Drive, the R44 from Gordon's Bay around the coast to Rooi Els and Betty's Bay, is one of the best drives in the country. It is tarred but winding, and baboons on the road are common. Keep windows up and doors locked when parked, and never leave food visible.
The R44 north towards Stellenbosch runs through the winelands and is an easy drive.
Parking is straightforward. Somerset Mall and the town centre have free or cheap parking, and car guards work most open areas.
Drive times from Somerset West
Approximate one way driving times:
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town International | About 35 km | 30 minutes |
| Stellenbosch | About 25 km | 25 minutes |
| Gordon's Bay | About 10 km | 15 minutes |
| Cape Town city centre | About 50 km | 45 minutes |
| Hermanus via the N2 and R43 | About 80 km | 1 hour |
| Hermanus via Clarence Drive | About 90 km | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Franschhoek | About 55 km | 50 minutes |
Clarence Drive is worth the extra time in at least one direction if the weather is clear.
Frequently asked questions
Which car hire companies are in Somerset West?
Tempest has a Somerset West presence. Coverage for the other brands varies in the Helderberg and most serve the area from Cape Town International, which is only about half an hour away and has a far deeper fleet.
How far is Somerset West from Cape Town Airport?
About 35 km and roughly 30 minutes on the N2. That makes it one of the easier parts of the Cape to reach with a hire car, and it is closer to the airport than the Cape Town city centre is in traffic.
How much is car hire in Somerset West?
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 Clarence Drive worth taking to Hermanus?
Yes, if the weather is clear. The R44 coastal route is tarred, spectacular and slower than the N2, adding roughly twenty minutes plus stops. Watch for baboons, keep windows up when parked and never leave food visible in the car.
Is Sir Lowry's Pass difficult?
It is a normal freeway pass but steep in both directions, and it draws fog and strong wind. Keep your speed moderate, leave a generous following distance behind trucks and use a lower gear on the descent rather than riding the brakes.
Do I need a car in Somerset West?
For the winelands and the Overberg, yes, because public transport does not serve them properly. Within the town itself, the centre and Somerset Mall are close together, so some visitors hire only for the days they plan to explore.
