Cape Town is a big city with many transport options for getting to UCT. These include the UCT Jammie shuttle, taxi buses and more costly private transport options.

Once on campus, it’s easiest to move around on foot. The cycle routes on campus also encourage non-motorised transport. Bikes can be securely locked to bike parking racks available around campus, especially at transport hubs.

UCT campuses are relatively central, making them easily accessible. However, it is not considered safe to walk alone or after dark. 

UCT has gone to great lengths to ensure student safety. Campus Protection Services are on campus 24/7 to boost safety and security. See below for more information on campus safety.

Getting to UCT

Jammie shuttle

The Jammie shuttle is UCT’s own bus service for students and staff with valid student cards. It travels between residences, all UCT campuses and some public bus, train and parking facilities near the university.

It operates seven days a week and during holidays. You can find the routes and timetables here.

Public transport

Cape Town’s bus rapid transit system is called the MyCiti bus. It does not extend to UCT, but it does bring passengers from the Atlantic seaboard, northern suburbs and the Cape Flats to central Cape Town. MyCiti meets with the Jammie shuttle at the Gardens Station on Buitenkant Street.

Golden Arrow buses cover most of Cape Town and extend to Bellville, Durbanville, Elsies River, Hanover Park, Kenilworth, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Fish Hoek, Parow, Simonstown and Wynberg.

Minibus taxis are also an option as they operate on almost every main road in Cape Town. Although difficult to formalise, TaxiMap can help you to get some idea of routes and fares around Cape Town.

Cape Town’s trains are notoriously unreliable. However, many still utilise this form of transport. The Southern Line stops at Mowbray, Observatory, Rosebank and Rondebosch stations, which are all within walking distance of UCT’s lower, middle and upper campuses.

Private transport

Parking on-campus is limited, and a parking disc is required from UCT administration. Carpooling is encouraged and motorbikes and scooters are allowed when carrying the correct parking disc from administration.

Rideshare platforms like Uber and Bolt are widely used in Cape Town and many drivers are familiar with UCT campuses. You must download the application to your phone and have it linked to a credit card before your first trip.

When using private transport, it’s a good idea to share trip details with a trusted friend or colleague.

Disability Services

UCT ensures fully accessible transport between residences and lectures for disabled students along with a variety of other services.

The Disability Services facilitates the removal of barriers facing disabled students and staff. It is part of UCT’s commitment to supporting its disabled students, so they experience full, independent and effective university life.