Cape Town: Robben Island Tour: Pre-Booked Ticket and Transfers
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This half-day package includes museum admission and round-trip transfer from your Cape Town accommodation, making your trip hassle-free. Robben Island is one of the most visited museums in South Africa and is best booked well in advance. Take a moment to reflect on your voyage back to the mainland after learning about the island's long history and seeing Nelson Mandela's cell.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Book in advance to avoid disappointment on the day
Round-trip transfer from your hotel ensures a hassle-free trip
Benefit from the historical insights of your small-group guide
See the cell that confined Nelson Mandela for 18 years
For transfers, kindly provide your residential address at least 24 hours prior to your travel date. Please note that we don't accommodate transfer requests for last-minute bookings.
For South African travellers, please enter the ID number of each adult in the “Special requirements” box when making the booking.
If you book under the South African Citizens rate, the transfer is not included or applied.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Cape Town
Pick up at accommodation in Cape Town. You will receive a shared transfer from your hotel in Cape Town to the Silo District where you will be escorted to the Nelson Mandela Gateway.
Robben Island Museum
We will make our way to the Silo District where you will be escorted to the Nelson Mandela Gateway. Here you will charter a shared to Robben Island museum where you will be met by a former political prisoner who will conduct the tour of the Island. (Please note that our tour guide/driver will not be joining you on the tour of the Robben Island museum.) The entire tour lasts +-4 hours which includes hotel pick up. For part of the tour, you will be transported around the island by bus, before you visit the prison cell of Nelson Mandela and take the long walk to freedom. Upon our arrival back at the Jetty, your tour guide or driver will meet you at the entrance of the Nelson Mandela Gateway. . Visit the man-made facilities . Get to see where isolate South African leaders, including Jacob Zuma, Kgalema Motlanthe, and Nelson Mandela . Explore African penguin
What‘s Included
Entrance fees to Robben Island
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Air-Conditioned Vehicle with WiFi on Board.
Lunch
Gratuities
Pickups/Drop off Are not offered for South African Citizens
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
South African Citizens
Use your ID number instead of a passport number to confirm your booking. The listed times are for the ferry's departure.
Pickup included
International Travelers
International travelers : Scheduled tour time corresponds to the ferry's departure from the harbor to Robben Island. Pickup service included
Pickup included
South African Citizens Only
Self-Arrival Option : 4-Hour Guided Experience - Tickets included, but transportation to and from your hotel isn’t provided with this option
Pickup included
Transfer Not Included
Self-Arrival Option: 4-Hour Guided Experience – Tickets included, but transportation to and from your hotel isn’t provided with this option
Pickup included
Reviews
150 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Robben Island Tour
John D,,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Robben Island tour was easy to book online, and included round-trip transport between our hotel and the ferry terminal (Nelson Mandela Gateway) near the Clocktower.
Verry nice
Carlos V,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was intrest and verry nice. The personul was friendly a good trip for Hallyday. Greetz from the netherlands
Unpleasant experience
Gizelda R,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The tour was delayed by 30 minutes at start, we visited Robben Island and when we departed from Robben Island, we had to wait for almost 2 hours in the boat for it to depart. There was no communication as to why we had to wait. We also didn't have any water or food with us, which made for an unpleasant ending to our trip. We were travelling with family, which included my 4yr old daughter.
Don't miss a visit to Robben Island!
carosQ2494PS,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00A visit to Cape Town isn't complete without a trip over to Robben Island which tells the story of an important part of history. The tours on the island took place partly via coach and partly walking around, each with their own tour guide with either direct experience of prison life on the island, or family members who were directly impacted. Hearing stories is the best way to learn (and moved me to tears). We're so fortunate to be of a generation where there are still living survivors of Robben Island incarceration. The only downside was the queue to get onto the return ferry which took an age - rather than being given 45 minutes for personal reflection on site. There is much of the island which is only driven past. Instead we felt rushed, with little or no time to read the captions around the place, or take in what we had been told. I do appreciate, however, that logistically that may be tricky with so many groups visiting on a daily basis. It's worth noting the perfect view of Table Mountain from the Island, along with penguins!
Fine enough so I can tell...
Nsereko E,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Fine enough so I can tell someone to come but they should be dressed for the heat and ready to walk around
Surprised we ha have to...
Lefu B,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Surprised we ha have to wait again for our tickets please next time if you guys can send them on time
A must do!!
mjbenda,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was fantastic, so well organized. Learned so much about the prison, the prisoners and their schedules. A tour not to be missed!
History filled but lots of waiting
Anonymous,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Interesting history but organized chaos. Plan on sitting on a bus for 45 minutes after arriving on Robbens Island. It was also 30-45 minute wait for a ferry back. Herding cows both directions.
Don't waste your money
Q5400TKcliffm,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00The tour of Robben Island itself is unforgettable, but this add-on provided no meaningful value. I had assumed that paying a premium on top of tickets I could have easily purchased myself for a “shared transfer” to the ferry terminal would include a guide who could offer some historical context. Instead, we were driven on our own to the terminal in a private car by someone who didn’t say a single word throughout the journey. Our hotel was so close to the terminal that walking would have been faster; in fact, that’s exactly what we did on our return. We didn't receive the promised bottle of water either. In the end, this experience amounted to nothing more than an extremely overpriced taxi ride.
Ryan was courteous and on time.
adrienneg714,,Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver Ryan was courteous and on time. Would use this company again. He had got us to the port to catch boat to Robbens Island and told us exactly what we needed to do
From US$60.00
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Operated by HYM CAPE TOURS