| Tourist Information | ||
| Travel Transport | ||
| Selfdrive in SA | ||
| The total land area of South Africa is slightly more than 1.2 million square kilometres (3.5 the size of “New Germany”), and it measures some 1 600km from north to south and approximately the same from east to west. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and is bordered to the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland and totally encloses the independent kingdom of Lesotho. Isolated, 1 920 km south-east of Cape Town in the Atlantic, lie the Prince Edward and Marion islands, annexed by South Africa in 1947. | ||
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| Flights | ||
| Most flights from Europe are overnight and the direct flights between Europe and Cape Town or Johannesburg take about 11 hours. The flights between USA and Johannesburg or Cape Town take about 15 hours. There are three international airports big enough to land jumbos, 10 national airports large enough for most big commercial jets, and another 700 smaller airports. The domestic flights are numerous and connect most of the major towns and cities. It's a good option if you don't have a lot of time to see the whole country. Seven major domestic airlines operate in the country, as well as a number of smaller charter airline companies. Kulula.com and 1time offer cut-price flights on the more popular routes, between Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit and George. Please note: There is generally no train link or regular bus service, but various privately owned tour operators or taxis offer an airport to city/town shuttle. If notified in advance, hotels, guest houses backpackers and tour organisers normally collect you. | ||
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| Taxis and minibus taxis | ||
| Taxis are usually ordered on demand by the restaurant or hotel. They don't just drive around waiting to be hailed like New York or London taxis, and especially in rural areas they are very rare. Taxi rides are usually regarded safe, but ask the expected fare before getting in. For safety reasons minibus taxis are best avoided by foreign visitors. They are the main form of transportation from the townships. They are often booming with music and shouting passenger touts, they drive like lunatics through main thoroughfares and pull out and stop without warning. Beware of them on the road. | ||
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| Bus Services | ||
| There are no local bus services, but several bus companies servicing the main towns of South Africa. They are generally very comfortable, luxurious and cheaper than flying. Reputable companies are Intercape Mainliner or the Greyhound Bus company – and therefore a good option. For budget travellers, the Baz Bus is an ideal way to get around. The company offers passes where you can get on and off whenever you want. According to your chosen itinery, it drops you off and picks you up at your hostel door. | ||
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| Long-distance-trains | ||
| Major cities in South Africa are linked by comfortable, inexpensive and perfectly safe long-distance passenger trains run by Shosholoza Meyl, part of South African Railways (Spoornet). These trains are a great way to travel if you want to see South Africa comfortably and affordably at ground level, without spending whole days and nights in a bus seat. For example, the 'Trans Karoo' from Cape Town to Johannesburg & Pretoria runs daily, takes just over 24 hours and costs only 350 Rand (50€ or £32 or $58) one-way in a 3- or 6-berth sleeper, 520 Rand (70€ or £47 or $87) in a 2- or 4-berth sleeper. As attacks against foreign tourists have occurred always stay alert of what is going on around you. | ||
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| Metro trains |
| Metro trains, the suburban trains that operate around the big cities are not safe, especially around Johannesburg. However, Metro Rail suburban trains around Cape Town are less of a problem, and providing you leave your valuables at your hotel and avoid travelling after dark, they can be a good way to get from central Cape Town to the seaside town of Simonstown, or to the wine regions at Stellenbosch or Paarl. The vintage steam train trip of 67 km from George to Knysna (the Outeniqua Choo-Choo) is an absolute MUST. The train line runs right next to the sea for a lot of the way and the scenery is fabulous. There are at least two trains a day between the two towns. |
