South Africa Info
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 16
Home Country: southafrica
|
 Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:40 am Post subject: GETTING AROUND IN SOUTH AFRICA / SOUTH AFRICA TRANSPORTATION |
 |
|
GETTING AROUND IN SOUTH AFRICA
BY AIR
Daily flights link Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria and with other connecting flights to provincial towns. South African Airways operates on the principal routes.
Flight discounts
An Africa Explorer fare is available to foreign visitors entering South Africa with an IATA airline. It offers a significant saving for anyone planning to use South African Airways’ internal network. The fare is valid for a minimum of three days and a maximum of two months: travel may originate and terminate at any point within South Africa that is served by the airline. Travel is not permitted more than once in the same direction over any given sector. There is also a reduction of approximately 30 per cent on some standby fares. South African Airways has various other discount domestic fares including Apex, Slumber, Supersaver and Saver fares.
BY SEA
Starlight Cruises offers links between major ports.
BY RAIL
The principal intercity services are as follows: the Blue Train (website: www.bluetrain.co.za) is a luxury express offering routes between Pretoria and Cape Town; the Trans-Oranje between Cape Town and Durban via Kimberley and Bloemfontein (weekly); and the Trans-Natal Express between Durban and Johannesburg (daily, except Tuesday). Rovos Rail (website: www.rovas.co.za) offers luxury (partly steam) safaris from Pretonia to Cape Town. The Transnet Museum also offers various 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 most have restaurant cars. Reservations are recommended for principal trains and all overnight journeys. There are frequent local trains in the Cape Town and Pretoria/Johannesburg urban areas. All trains have first- and second-class accommodation. Children under two years of age travel free. Children aged two to 11 years pay half fare.
BY ROAD
Traffic drives on the left. There is a well-maintained network of roads and motorways in populous regions. Around a third of roads are paved (with all major roads tarred to a high standard). In non-residential areas, speed limits are 120kph (75mph) and 60kph (35mph) in built up areas. Overtaking is permitted in any lane, including the hard shoulder. Fines for speeding are very heavy. It is illegal to carry petrol other than in built-in petrol tanks. Petrol stations are usually open all week 0700-1900. Some are open 24 hours. Petrol must be paid for in cash.
Bus/coach
Various operators, such as Greyhound, Intercape and Translux, run intercity express links using modern air-conditioned coaches. On many of the intercity routes, passengers may break their journey at any scheduled stop en route by prior arrangement at time of booking and continue on a subsequent coach at no extra cost other than for additional accommodation.
Taxi
Available throughout the country, at all towns, hotels and airports, with rates for distance and time. For long-distance travel, a quotation should be sought.
Car rental
To rent a car, travellers must have held a valid driving license for five years. Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available at most airports and in major city centres.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. The minimum age is 23 (or 21 on presentation of an American Express/Diners card). Foreign licenses in English are valid for up to 12 months; otherwise, British visitors who are planning to drive in South Africa should check with the AA or RAC prior to departure that they have all the correct documentation.
URBAN TRANSPORTATION
There are bus and suburban rail networks in all the main towns. Fares in Cape Town and Johannesburg are zonal, with payment in cash or with 10-ride pre-purchase ‘clipcards’ from kiosks. In Pretoria, there are various pre-purchase ticket systems, including a cheap pass for off-peak travel only. In Durban, conventional buses face stiff competition from minibuses and combi-taxis (both legal and illegal), which are also found in other South African towns. These, although cheap and very fast, should be used with care. For ordinary taxis, fares within the city areas are more expensive than long distances. Taxis do not cruise and must be called from a rank. Taxi drivers expect a 10 per cent tip.
NOTE
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. |
|
Register
Log in
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
