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Two Cities, One Red Bus: See Cape Town and Joburg From a New Perspective

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City Sightseeing Cape Town Bus Trip

There is something wonderfully liberating about climbing onto the top deck of a bright red bus and surrendering the driving to somebody else. No parking arguments, no wrong turns and no missing the view because Google Maps has sent you into a mild panic.

Whether you are exploring Cape Town’s coastline or Johannesburg’s urban heart, City Sightseeing offers an easy way to become a tourist in your own country.

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Cape Town: Mountain, Coastline and Constantia

Cape Town was practically designed for open-top sightseeing. From the upper deck, Table Mountain dominates the skyline while Lion’s Head, the Atlantic Ocean and the city bowl compete for your camera’s attention.

City Sightseeing’s Cape Town network currently connects three hop-on hop-off routes: the Red City Tour, Blue Mini Peninsula Tour and Purple Constantia Valley Wine Tour. Together, they provide access to more than 20 stops, including the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain Cableway, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Camps Bay and the Constantia wine valley. Tickets also include onboard commentary in 15 languages, a children’s channel and walking tours. View the Cape Town tour options.

Johannesburg: History From the Top Deck

Joburg’s appeal is less immediately obvious—and that is precisely why the red bus works so well here. From above street level, the city begins to make sense: leafy northern suburbs give way to Braamfontein, mining-era architecture, Newtown’s creative energy and the southern reaches of the city.

The current Red Tour begins in Rosebank and links more than 20 attractions, including the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Constitution Hill, the Mining District, Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City, Newtown, Johannesburg Zoo and the Military Museum. Onboard commentary adds context to the buildings, neighbourhoods and events that shaped the City of Gold. Explore the Johannesburg route.

Families can pair the journey with Gold Reef City, while history lovers should allow time for Constitution Hill or the Apartheid Museum. A Soweto extension is also available on selected combination tickets.

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Ride the complete loop first if your schedule allows, then decide where to hop off. Cape Town delivers the scenery; Johannesburg delivers the story. Both prove that sometimes the best way to see a familiar city is from an unfamiliar seat.

Routes, departure times and attraction operating hours may change. Attraction admission is generally not included unless specified in your chosen ticket.

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