ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Daily flights of South African Airways (SA) (Internet: www.flysaa.com), Airlink (4Z) (Internet: www.flyairlink.com), South African Express (YB) (Internet: www.flysax.com) and Comair (MN) (Internet: http://www.comair.co.za/) connect Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria (Tshwane), Port Elizabeth, George, East London, Kimberley and Bloemfontein. There are also connecting flights from these airports to the provincial cities.
On the way by car / bus
According to youremailverifier, the road network is good in the inhabited regions of South Africa. A third of the country’s roads are paved (including all of the main roads). The streets are well signposted for tourists. Only a small part of the numbered national roads (N) are developed as motorways, they roughly correspond to the well-developed federal highways in Germany. Most of the numbered regional roads (R), on which traffic is usually very low, are also in good condition.
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) (Internet: www.aasa.co.za) offers extensive services (e.g. information on road conditions, accommodations, etc.) and provides maps, etc. to members of other automobile clubs. Reserve gasoline may not be carried.
Most petrol stations are open 24/7. Credit cards cannot be used to pay at petrol stations.
Bus: Numerous companies offer long-distance connections, the buses are generally air-conditioned. Three bus companies offer connections between the main centers: Translux (Internet: www.translux.co.za), Greyhound (Internet: www.greyhound.co.za) and Intercape (Internet:www.intercape.co.za).
Baz Bus (Internet: www.bazbus.com) transports backpackers from youth hostel to youth hostel. The Compassline bus company is far more luxurious (Internet: www.compasslineafrica.com). It offers bus tours tailored to customer requirements.
Taxis are available in all cities, at airports and in front of hotels; they usually operate according to fixed tariffs. On long journeys you should compare prices before driving. Usually local taxis don’t just drive around. You have to call the taxi operator or find a taxi rank (usually in the city center).
Rental car:Car rental companies can be found in all cities and at airports. Minimum age 23 years.
Documentation: International driver’s license required. The international driving license is only valid if the national driving license can be presented. It is advisable to have an English translation with you.
Traffic regulations:
left-hand traffic;
Seatbelt compulsory;
Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 â?? °;
The use of a hand-held cell phone or car phone is prohibited while driving, the use of hands-free equipment is permitted.
Speed limits:
in built-up areas: 60 km / h;
on country roads: 100 km / h;
on motorways: 120 km / h.
Speeding fines are very high.
Traveling in the city
There are good bus and train networks in all major cities . In Johannesburg the buses are operated by Metrobus and in Cape Town by Golden Arrow. In Cape Town, the MyCiti buses (Internet: myciti.org.za/en/home/) are a cheap alternative to get to the most popular sights in the center. There are many discounted tickets
in Pretoria. In Durban, urban buses are used by minibuses and shared taxis Made (legal and illegal) competition, which can also be found in all other South African cities and which should be used with caution. The tariffs of regular taxis are higher within the cities than on long-haul routes. Taxi drivers expect a 10% tip.
On the go by train
Passenger trains run between the larger cities and are so-called name trains. There are regular intercity rail services (Shosholoza Meyl) and private luxury trains. Public rail transport does not meet European standards. It is therefore generally advisable to travel first class. All trains have 1st and 2nd class cars. All long-distance trains have sleeping cars, most of them also have dining cars.
Local trains run at short intervals in the urban areas of Tshwane (Pretoria) / Johannesburg and Cape Town. Local traffic around Johannesburg should be avoided if possible. All main routes should be booked in good time. A seat reservation must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
The firstSouth Africa’s high-speed train, the Gautrain (Internet: www.gautrain.co.za), currently runs daily from 5.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. between Johannesburg Airport (OR Tambo) and the Johannesburg district of Sandton (journey time: 15 minutes). Intermediate stops are Rhodesfield and Marlboro. At Sandton Station you can change to the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link to Tshwane (Pretoria).
The most important InterCity luxury trains include the famous Blue Train (luxury express train; Internet: www.bluetrain.co.za), which runs the Pretoria (Tshwane) – Cape Town and Pretoria – Durban routes. Every blue train-Compartment has a bathroom, telephone, TV and adjustable air conditioning.
Trains from Rovos Rail (Internet: www.rovos.co.za) also belong to the luxury class. Rovos Rail offers luxury steam train safaris and journeys on the Pretoria – Cape Town, George – Cape Town and Pretoria – Durban routes. Organized excursions outside the train on the routes will only be carried out if time permits. The train covers part of the Garden Route from Cape Town to George within 24 hours.
The InterCity train Trans-Oranje runs weekly between Cape Town and Durban via Kimberley and Bloemfontein.
The luxury train Trans-Natal-Express operates the route Durban – Johannesburg every day except Tuesdays and the Trans-Karoo-Express runs daily between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Rovos Rail offers steam train safaris to Mpumalanga, Transnet Museum through South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The Shosholoza Meyl (Internet: www.shosholozameyl.co.za) serves the following routes: from Johannesburg to East London, Musina, Kimberley, Pietermaritzburg, Nelspruit, Komatipoort, Polokwane, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Durban, from Durban to Cape Town.
The Shongololo Express (Internet: www.shongololo.com) runs regularly between Cape Town and Johannesburg. Excursions and detours are popular. The train covers the 4,000 kilometers in 18 days. The Shongololo Express also runs along the Garden Route.
The Premier Classe luxury train (Internet: http://www.premierclasse.co.za/) connects Johannesburg and Cape Town once a week (journey time: approx. 25 hours). Along the way, the train stops at some of South Africa’s most popular attractions.
Out and about by ship
Starlight Cruises (Internet: www.starlightcruises.co.za) operate between the main ports of the country.
