Air
Daily flights link Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Durban, East London,
Johannesburg, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria and with other
connecting flights to provincial towns. South African Airways operates
on the main routes.
Flight
Discounts
An Africa Explorer fare is accessible to foreign
visitors entering South Africa with an IATA airline. It offers a
considerable saving for anyone intending to use South African Airways’
internal network. The fare is valid for a minimum of 3 days and
a maximum of 2 months, travel may begin and end at any point within
South Africa that is served by the airline. Travel is not allowed
more than once in the same direction over any given sector. There
is also a discount of approximately 30 % on some standby fares.
South African Airways has several other discount domestic fares
including Slumber, Apex, Supersaver and Saver fares.
Sea & Lake
Starlight Cruises offer links between principle
ports.
Rail
The chief intercity services are as follows, the Blue
Train is a luxury express offering routes between Pretoria
and Cape Town, the Trans-Oranje between Cape
Town and Durban via Kimberley and Bloemfontein
(each week) and the Trans-Natal Express between Durban
and Johannesburg (daily, except Tuesday).
Rovos Rail offers luxury (partly steam) safaris
from Pretonia to Cape Town. The Transnet Museum also offers a variety
of steam safaris around South Africa and Zimbabwe,
and the Trans-Karoo Express travels between Cape Town, Johannesburg
and Pretoria daily.
All long distance trains are equipped with sleeping
compartments, included in fares, and the majority have restaurant
cars. Reservations are advised for principal trains and all overnight
journeys. There are regular local trains in the
Cape Town and Pretoria / Johannesburg urban areas. All trains have
1st and 2nd class accommodation. Children under 2 years of age travel
free. Children aged 2 to 11 years pay half fare.
Road
The traffic in South Africa drives on the left.
There is a well maintained network of roads and motorways in heavily
populated regions. Around a 3rd of roads are paved (with all major
roads tarred to a high standard).
Petrol stations
are generally open all week from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm, and some are
open 24 hours. Petrol must be paid for in cash.
Regulations
In non residential areas, speed limits are 120
kilometres per hour (75 miles per hour) and 60 kilometres per hour
(35 miles per hour) in built up areas.
Overtaking
is allowed in any lane, including the hard shoulder. Fines
for speeding are extremely heavy. It is illegal to carry petrol
other than in built in petrol tanks.
Bus
Various operators, such as Intercape, Greyhound
and Translux, run intercity express links using
modern and air conditioned coaches. On several of the intercity
routes, passengers can break their journey at any scheduled stop
en route by prior arrangement at time of booking and continue on
a succeeding coach at no extra cost other than for additional accommodation.
Taxi
Available throughout South Africa, at all towns, hotels and airports,
charging for distance and time. For long distance travel, an estimate
should be sought.
Car hire
To hire a car, travellers must have held a valid driving licence
for 5 years. Self drive and chauffeur driven
cars are accessible at most airports and in major city centres.
Documentation
An International Driving Permit is required and the minimum age
is 23 (or 21 on presentation of an American Express / Diners card).
Foreign licences in English are valid for up to
12 months, otherwise, British visitors who are planning to drive
in South Africa should check with the RAC or AA prior to departure
that they have all the correct documentation.
Urban
There are bus and suburban rail networks
in all the main towns. Fares in Johannesburg and Cape Townare zonal,
with payment in cash or with 10 ride pre purchase ‘clipcards’
from kiosks.
There are various pre-purchase ticket systems in Pretoria, including
a cheap pass for off-peak travel only. In Durban,
conventional buses face hard competition from minibuses and combi-taxis
(both legal and illegal), which are also found in other South African
towns. These, although very fast and cheap, should be used with
care. For ordinary taxis, fares within the city areas cost more
than long distances. Taxis do not cruise and must be phoned from
a rank. Taxi drivers expect a 10 per cent tip.
Avoid the Berea and Hillbrow areas of Johannesburg.
There has been a number of muggings around the Rotunda Bus Terminal
in the city. As a result of the high level of car hijacking in the
Kruger Park, there is currently an increased police presence.
Travel times
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and
minutes) from Cape Town to other major towns and cities in South
Africa: |
