Denmark: Travel guide, visas and free housing · 2026

KSKristina Sabelnikovasabelnickova.kristina · Feb 2, 2015Read

I expected the worst from the hostel at 4 Glengariff Road (you might be placed in another one), as I've stayed in quite a few decent ones, especially in the States, and in general, I like not to get my hopes up (less disappointment later). But all expectations of the worst vanished as soon as we entered the hostel. Its cool owner was already waiting for us; he automatically becomes your best friend and will help you with anything you ask. He just makes your day, blowing you away and cheering you up with his unreal positivity and friendliness =D Very good place, with breakfasts and dinners in the restaurant, clean showers and toilets, locks for lockers, and adapters from European to African plugs. Speaking of adapters, don't even think about buying them on the street or in tourist shops. EVERYONE IS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF YOU. Just accept it as a given. Tourist shops don't have price tags because everything will be 3-4 times more expensive for you, for example, 80R for one adapter. An adapter at SPAR (which are all over the city) costs between 19-30R. You'll still have to go to tourist shops for souvenirs, but first, get a good tan, pick up a Cape Town accent, some audacity, and the skill of bargaining. Besides the awesome owner and the simply magical location of the hostel, there were a bunch of volunteers, mostly from Germany, but also from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Italy. Together with them, we conquered Cape Town's nightlife for the first time! Everything went very cool, we even kept our phones and money XD (because we left everything in the hostel under locks). The next day, the question arose about withdrawing money from cards and exchanging dollars for rands. There is a 7-Eleven store not far from the hostel, so forget about it. NEVER, do you hear me, NEVER withdraw money from the ATM in that store, you will be robbed blind before you even blink. There are plenty of ATMs around; only withdraw money from those ATMs (that's what they are called if you didn't know) that are away from prying eyes. Thieves are so professional that you must be on alert all the time. And yes, it's better to buy some cheap phone back home and go out, especially when going out, only with it and the amount of money you want to spend, no more. I haven't met a single Cape Towner yet who hasn't had their wallet or smartphone stolen at least once. A SIM card can be bought in any small shop, of which there are many, especially near the hostel on Main Road. Or in official stores, but then bring your passport. The cheapest connection is Cell C, the best and most expensive is Vodacom. I use Cell C, haven't complained yet =)) To top up your balance, you need to ask for Air-time in those same shops for any amount you are interested in. Further, I think you, dear reader, have already understood that you can only move around in the dark by taxi; you will receive a list of reliable services at the orientation meeting at SASTS, don't worry. Besides taxis, there are two public transport services in Cape, official MyCity Bus and unofficial Mini Bus Taxi. MyCity buses go everywhere and quite often. You need to buy a card for them, which can be done in almost any store (usually there are MyCity Bus stickers on the glass, price 35R) and put money on it (50R will be enough to start). I would advise against using mini-buses, especially in the evening, as they say, better safe than sorry...