Flying to South Africa

Over 70 international airlines now fly into South Africa. Award-winning South African Airways, the national carrier, flies to destinations all over the world and is connected to major international air routes.

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) operates the major and principal airports and is responsible for approximately 200 000 landings and around 24-million passengers a year.

It’s a long haul from Europe (10 to 12 hours), Asia (12 to 17 hours) and the United States (up to 15 hours or even more). You’ll most likely fly directly into OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, or increasingly, there are direct flights into Cape Town International Airport.

Durban’s King Shaka International Airport is South Africa’s third major international airport, located about 35km north of Durban.

Principal domestic airports include Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein, as well as airports in East London, George, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth and Upington.

OR Tambo International Airport
Tel: +27 (0)11 921 6262

Cape Town International Airport
Tel: +27 (0)21 937 1200

King Shaka International Airport
Tel: +27 (0)31 451 6666

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.acsa.co.za

 

Public Transport:

Gautrain

Note: Tickets cannot be bought on the shuttle.
You need a valid Gautrain Gold Card with at least R20 available to access the buses.

Tel: +27 (0)800 Gautrain (4288 7246)
www.gautrain.co.za

 

Car Hire

Many major international car-hire companies operate in South Africa, offering anything from small, budget-friendly cars to luxurious sedans.

It’s best to book car-hire vehicles in advance, especially if you are coming to South Africa in high season (during South Africa's summer, from December to February).

Some companies also offer 4x4 vehicles if you are planning to visit places off the beaten track. If you want to hire a 4x4, then get a quote from a specialised off- road rental provider. They may also assist with caravan, camper van and trailer hire.

TRAVEL TIP: If you are visiting a national park, you may wish to hire an SUV for comfort and to give you height advantage when game viewing. That said, most national parks have excellent roads and a sedan is just as adequate.

Who to contact

Magic Bus

Magic Bus is the versatile short distance travel specialists. Magic Bus began as an airport shuttle service, but we have expanded our sphere of activities to include: Airport shuttles, door to door services, private transfers, party shuttles and Sun City shuttles.
Tel (Johannesburg): +27 (0)11 548 0822; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel (Cape Town): +27 (0)21 505 6300; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel (Durban): +27 (0)31 263 2647; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.magicbus.co.za

Avis Rent a Car

Tel: +27 (0)11 923 3660 or +27 (0)861 021 111
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.avis.co.za

Tempest Car Hire

Tel: +27 (0)11 552 3900
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.tempestcarhire.co.za

Europcar

Tel: +27 (0)11 479 4430
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
europcar.co.za

Hertz

Tel: +27 (0)861 600 136
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
hertz.co.za

Budget car rental

Tel: +27 (0)11 398 0123
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.budget.co.za

Britz 4x4 rentals

Tel: +27 (0)11 396 1860
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
britz.co.za

 

Rail travel

South African rail travel provides an exciting way to take in the scenic beauty of the country without having to drive yourself around.

Options include economy class and luxury coaches as well as the ultimate opulent rail safari on the Blue Train or Rovos Rail. Steam enthusiasts can also enjoy rail journeys of old on restored steam trains.

South Africa train travel covers some of the most beautiful parts of the country, taking visitors from cities like Johannesburg and Bloemfontein to prime destinations like Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

On a budget: The Shosholoza Meyl is a passenger train that runs between all major cities. An economy-class ticket will buy you a reclining seat with sufficient legroom on routes that include 11 major cities across the country, but be prepared to rough it a bit.

An upgraded ticket will get you either a two-bed coupe or four-bed compartment, which double as suites during the day and bedrooms at night. Communal showers and toilets are available. This option exists on routes between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein and East London, and between Cape Town and Durban.

Mid-range: The Premier Classe is a luxury passenger line that accommodates guests in spacious single-bed, double-bed or family compartments, complete with well-appointed bathrooms. Little extras like gowns and toiletries are provided, and room service is available. The Premier Classe line operates between Johannesburg and Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, and Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

Luxury: South Africa's most famous train is undoubtedly the Blue Train. The final word in rail luxury, the Blue Train pulls out all the stops to guarantee an ultra-luxurious South African rail safari. Marble tiles, gold fittings, in-suite digital entertainment centres and top-class local cuisine and wines complete the experience. The Blue Train operates between Pretoria and Cape Town, and Pretoria and Durban. A special trip to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is also available.

Steam enthusiasts might also be keen on a steam-train excursion on a beautifully restored locomotive, such as Rovos Rail, which offers all the romance and opulence of train travel from a bygone era, travelling between Pretoria and Victoria Falls, as well as between Pretoria and Cape Town. A trip with Rovos Rail is for the train enthusiast.
Who to contact

The Shosholoza Meyl

Tel: +27 (0)11 774 5244
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
https://www.shosholozameyl.co.za

Premier Classe

Tel: +27 (0)87 802 6674
southafricanrailways.co.za/premier_classe.html

The Blue Train

Tel: +27 (0)12 334 8459
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.bluetrain.co.za

Rovos Rail

Tel: +27 (0)12 315 8242
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.rovos.com

By Bus

The cheapest way to travel around the country is by bus, making it a popular mode of transport for locals and visitors on a budget. Be sure to book with a reputable service, though, as not all bus companies have an equally good reputation. There are a number of bus operators, offering both economy and luxury rides.

If you want to travel in southern Africa, some of these companies also offer cross-border journeys into neighbouring states like Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Intercape: Intercape has one of the largest regional inter-city infrastructures, offering 49 daily departures across South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana.

Its fleet includes 57 luxury double-decker and 42 single-decker coaches, and it operates a Sleepliner (with reclining chairs) and Mainliner (standard seats) service. Coaches are air-conditioned, have audio-visual entertainment, on-board toilets and are serviced by cabin attendants.

Greyhound: This company, which is not related to the United States-based Greyhound bus service, offers a vast national network between major cities and towns. Its luxury coaches feature air-conditioning, reclining seats, audio-visual entertainment, on-board toilets and cabin attendants on certain routes.

Baz Bus: Backpackers should also consider the Baz Bus. It is a unique hop-on, hop-off door-to-door bus service between backpacking hostels around South Africa. Simply buy one ticket to your final destination and you can get on and off as many times as you want, wherever you want, with no time limit. Buses are 22- seater semi-luxury, with on-board TV, videos and Wi-Fi, and trailers capable of carrying surfboards and bicycles.

The Baz Bus service runs in each direction between Johannesburg and Cape Town, via the Drakensberg, Durban and Port Elizabeth, with many stops along the coast and drop-offs at 180 hostels along its route.

Who to contact

Greyhound

Tel: +27 (0)11 611 8000
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
https://www.greyhound.co.za/

Intercape

Tel: +27 (0)21 380 4400
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.intercape.co.za

Baz Bus

Tel: +27 (0)21 422 5202
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.bazbus.com