How to Get Around In South Africa

There are a number of ways to get around in South Africa of which hiring a car would give you the most freedom to travel where and when you want.

Taking a long distance train is still a very reasonable and comfortable way to travel as well as being quite safe. However, the second and third class carriages are usually pretty packed and offer uncomfortable accommodations. With inner-city travel, it is highly recommended that tourists avoid the inner-city trains as they have become a playground for thieves and vagrants.

There is the option of privately owned trains such as the Outenikwa Choo-tjoe and the Magalies Express. These trains are extremely safe and offer an enjoyable experience. However, they are not focused on travel to other areas. Instead they are geared mostly towards day trips and only run at certain times and only in certain areas.

Bus services are another great way to travel in South Africa as long as you stick with well known companies such as Inter City and Greyhound. Too many fly by night companies offering cheap prices have lead to tragedy as their mediocore buses resulted in many accidents throughout the country. Baz is another bus line geared more towards tourists and receives a thumbs u from most visitors as it has many stops at hotels across the country and is reliable and safe.

When looking to travel short in town distances, Johannesburg and Cape Town have an excellent bus line that travels to most major areas. However, it is important to note that these buses tend to be very crowded early in the morning and in the late afternoon as they are packed with workers returning home.

A metered taxi is another option for travel. These cars are readily available and generally safe; however they can be quite expensive.

Mini “bus or van taxis are very cheap but they are more than often overloaded. The drivers are fearless and using them is not for the faint hearted.

Using a private transfer line is another option for travel in South Africa. While this mode of transportation is a little expensive, they will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel, or pick you up and take you safely home after enjoying a fun night out on the town.

The other and easiest option is to hire a car. There are a variety of car rental agencies at all airports and most hotels. Internet bookings are also available for most. Again it is better to go with the reputable agencies like Avis, Hertz and Budget. If you plan to only hire a car to drive around in a specific city where the agency has an office, cheaper options can be considered. For longer distances Avis, Budget and Hertz are better as they have offices all over the country and if you experience any problems along the road they will assist you immediately by exchanging the car. They all have websites with information regarding international license requirements and documentation needed to book a car.