Cape Town airport to the Garden Route by private driver

Seeing the Garden Route without driving yourself: the route options, realistic driving times, sample trip lengths and what it costs.

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By Andre & Dominique, Private Driver Service Cape Town · Updated October 2026

Short answer

The Garden Route starts about 4 hours east of Cape Town on the N2. From Cape Town it is roughly 390 km to Mossel Bay, 430 km to George, 490 km to Knysna and 520 km to Plettenberg Bay. Most travellers take 3 to 7 days. With Private Driver Service Cape Town, a Garden Route or multi-day private driver is quoted on request for your route and number of days, with the same driver-guide and one point of contact for the whole trip (3 to 15 days).

Driving times from Cape Town

Mossel Bayabout 390 km · 4 to 4.5 hours
George & Wildernessabout 430 km · 4.5 to 5 hours
Knysnaabout 490 km · 5.5 hours
Plettenberg Bayabout 520 km · 6 hours

Times are for driving only, without stops. From Cape Town International Airport, add or subtract a few minutes depending on traffic.

Three ways to get there

The N2, direct. The quickest way, over Sir Lowry’s Pass and through Caledon and Swellendam, a good lunch stop.
Via Hermanus. Start along the coast for Hermanus and its cliff path (whale season is roughly June to November), then rejoin the N2.
Route 62, inland. Through the wine valleys of Robertson and Montagu, Barrydale and the Karoo to Oudtshoorn, then over the Outeniqua Pass to George. Longer, and beautiful.

Many travellers go out one way and come back the other.

Sample trip lengths

3 days: the N2 to Knysna; a day for Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and the Tsitsikamma coast; back via Route 62.
5 days: add a night in Hermanus on the way out and Oudtshoorn on the way back.
7 days or more: slow down, add the Winelands at the end before you fly home, or carry on from 3 up to 15 days.

These are ideas, not fixed packages. We build the route around your dates, pace and budget.

What it costs

A Garden Route or multi-day private driver is quoted on request for your route and number of days. Your quote spells out exactly what is included. Hotels, activities and meals are extra unless they are in your quote, and we can book hotels, flights and boat cruises for you on the same quote. If Andre is booked on your dates, another driver-guide from our team can drive you.

See the Garden Route & multi-day page or the full price guide.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How long is the drive from Cape Town to the Garden Route?

About 4 to 4.5 hours to Mossel Bay, where the Garden Route begins, and about 5.5 hours to Knysna on the N2, before stops.

How many days do I need for the Garden Route?

At least 3 days; 5 to 7 days is more relaxed. We drive trips from 3 to 15 days.

How much does a private driver for the Garden Route cost?

With Private Driver Service Cape Town, Garden Route trips are quoted on request for your route and number of days, with the same driver-guide and one point of contact for the whole trip. Hotels, activities and meals are extra unless included in your quote; we can arrange them for you.

Can you pick us up straight from Cape Town airport?

Yes. We track your flight, meet you in arrivals and include up to 2 hours of waiting on arrival, so you can head straight out on the road.