<p>For a 20 year old young woman alone? She’ll be arriving after a 24 hour flight, carrying everything she needs for 6 weeks on her back. She’ll be arriving in daylight, and going by cab from the airport to a home near the university. </p>
<p>She’s a smart and well-traveled kid, but she will be tired, and she’s never been in South Africa before. This isn’t my daughter, but a friend of my son’s. I seem to be the only one in either family who thinks she should have someone meeting her at the airport to share the cab ride to the university area. Am I being overly concerned? I will admit that I would not be at all concerned if she were landing in New York, Paris or London. I let my own dd arrive at BOS at all hours and take the T to her home in Cambridge. </p>
<p>Please tell me I’m being overly protective (and it’s not even my kid) and I will go away and shut up about it. But part of me wants to call her mom and express my concerns.</p>
<p>Why don’t you ask this on the Fodors site. The South Africa threads seem to get responses.</p>
<p>Is there a way to pre order a taxi? Sometimes when we’ve come off a long flight we arrange to be met at the airport. It is a little more expensive but relieves some anxiety concerning trying to assess a situation on a sleep deprived brain.</p>
<p>I just looked at the Cape Town travel tips at the Fodors site. It seems pretty safe to travel by taxi with some warning about making sure you are not over charged. There is also a listing of air transfer companies.</p>
<p>I was in Cape Town a couple of months ago and had the hotel pick me up at the airport. I took taxis everywhere, though, and found them quite reliable and safe. Drivers are very courteous, and often in suit and tie. Cape Town is a beautiful place, and the people are really lovely. It does not have the same troubles you might see on the news from Johannesburg.</p>
<p>South Africa is one of the safest places in Africa…unfortunately that’s not saying much. Cape Town can be pretty dangerous, but at least she’s arriving during the day. It’s probably unrealistic to have someone meet her so as long as she’s aware of her surroundings then I think she’ll be okay getting to her destination. Just make sure to always go out in large groups at night. I have many horror stories.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your responses. I have looked at the travel sites, but my concern has more to do with a young, petite woman alone with all her belongings. It will probably be fine. Not being my own kid, it’s hard to know when to interfere. It’s just that “probably” isn’t for sure. If she were mine, I’d arrange a cab in advance with a reputable company to meet her there. It’s not my own kid, but she is going to meet up with my kid, so I still feel responsible.</p>