Getting Around South Africa
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use Gautrain or buses in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Rural: Rent a car for safaris and countryside. Coast: Buses and shuttles along Garden Route. For convenience, book airport transfers from Johannesburg to your destination.
Train Travel
PRASA Metrorail
Affordable commuter network connecting urban areas like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban with frequent services.
Cost: Johannesburg to Pretoria R20-40, journeys under 1 hour between major hubs.
Tickets: Buy via PRASA app, website, or station kiosks. Mobile tickets accepted.
Peak Times: Avoid 6-9 AM and 4-6 PM for better prices and availability.
Long-Distance Trains
Shosholoza Meyl offers economy, standard, and premier classes for intercity travel across South Africa.
Best For: Budget long trips like Johannesburg to Cape Town (R400-800, 26 hours), savings for multi-stop journeys.
Where to Buy: Train stations, PRASA website, or official app with advance booking recommended.
Luxury Rail Options
Rovos Rail and Blue Train provide scenic luxury journeys to destinations like Kruger or Victoria Falls.
Booking: Reserve months in advance for best suites, prices from R10,000+ per trip.
Main Stations: Johannesburg Park Station is the primary hub, with connections to Cape Town Station.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for safaris and rural exploration. Compare rental prices from R300-600/day at Johannesburg Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (international permit recommended), credit card, minimum age 23.
Insurance: Comprehensive coverage advised, including for gravel roads in national parks.
Driving Rules
Drive on the left, speed limits: 60 km/h urban, 100 km/h rural, 120 km/h highways.
Tolls: N1 and N3 highways use e-toll system (R50-200 per trip), buy tag or pay online.
Priority: Yield to oncoming traffic on narrow roads, pedestrians have right of way in towns.
Parking: Secure lots in cities R20-50/hour, free in rural areas but watch for theft.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations widespread at R20-25/liter for petrol, R18-22 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, download offline maps for remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Johannesburg and Cape Town during rush hours.
Urban Transport
Gautrain & Metrorail
High-speed Gautrain links Johannesburg Airport to Pretoria, single ticket R50-100, day pass R150.
Validation: Use smart cards loaded with credit, tap in/out at stations.
Apps: Gautrain app for schedules, real-time updates, and e-ticket purchases.
Bike Rentals
Bike sharing like QVelo in Cape Town, R50-100/day with docking stations in urban areas.
Routes: Cycle paths along waterfronts and in parks, ideal for coastal cities.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours in Cape Town and Durban for sightseeing and fitness.
Buses & Local Services
MyCiTi (Cape Town), Rea Vaya (Johannesburg), and Golden Arrow (Durban) run extensive bus networks.
Tickets: R10-30 per ride, buy via app or onboard with contactless payment.
Intercity Buses: Greyhound and Intercape connect cities, R200-500 for long distances.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near train stations in cities for easy access, central Cape Town or Johannesburg CBD for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (Dec-Feb) and major events like Cape Town Jazz Festival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for wildlife season travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in cities, 3G/4G in most rural areas, limited in remote parks.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from R100 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C offer prepaid SIMs from R50-150 with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, malls, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for R150, 10GB for R250, unlimited for R400/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, malls, and cafes; public hotspots in tourist areas.
Public Hotspots: Airports and train stations offer free WiFi with registration.
Speed: 10-50 Mbps in urban areas, suitable for browsing and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: South African Standard Time (SAST), UTC+2, no daylight saving.
- Airport Transfers: OR Tambo Airport 35km from Johannesburg center, Gautrain R200 (30 min), taxi R400, or book private transfer for R500-800.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airports and train stations (R50-100/day) and services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Gautrain and modern buses accessible, many natural sites have ramps but uneven terrain.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on some trains (small free, large R50), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on Metrorail off-peak for R20, folding bikes free anytime.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to South Africa
OR Tambo International (JNB) is the main hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
OR Tambo (JNB): Primary international gateway, 35km east of Johannesburg with Gautrain links.
Cape Town Intl (CPT): Major hub for domestic and international, 20km from city, bus R100 (45 min).
King Shaka Intl (DUR): Serves Durban area, 35km north, shuttle R150 to city center.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer travel (Dec-Feb) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Johannesburg and domestic to Cape Town for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
FlySafair, Mango, and Airlink serve domestic routes with connections to regional hubs.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee R20-50, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere, American Express less common in smaller establishments.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay widely used, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in most places.
- Cash: Still needed for markets, taxis, and rural areas, keep R500-1000 in small denominations.
- Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants and for services, round up for taxis.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.