Travel

Transport

International Airports

The Airports Company South Africa operates the country’s 10 principal airports - including three major international airports - which together handle over 200 000 aircraft landings and 23-million passengers annually. Our international airports are all undergoing major developments at the moment, and will be ready to accommodate increased traffic come the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

South Africa boasts three international airports, namely:

O.R. Tambo International (formerly Johannesburg International)

Cape Town International

Durban International

Airports Company South Africa

Domestic Airports

South Africa further has seven national airports and a wide range of smaller and private airports. The seven national airports are found in the following locations:

Bloemfontein

East London (not too far from host city PE)

George

Kimberley

Port Elizabeth

Upington

ACSA also has a 35-year concession to operate Pilanesberg International Airport near Sun City in the North-West Province.

Airports Company South Africa

Airlines

South Africa is served by more than 70 international airlines and our national carrier, South African Airways, flies to many destinations in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Flights from Europe are generally overnight. Direct flights between the US and Johannesburg/Cape Town take about 15 hours, and flights between Europe and Johannesburg about 12 hours.

Eight major domestic airlines operate in the country, as well as a number of smaller charter airline companies. SAA, Airlink and SA Express fly between all the major cities and to some of the smaller ones. British Airways, operated by Comair, and Nationwide operate flights between the major centres. Low-cost carriers, Kulula.com, 1time and Mango offer affordable flights on the more popular routes, between Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit and George.

South African Airways

Airlink

SA Express

British Airways Comair

Nationwide Airlines

Kulula.com

1time

Mango

Metered Taxis

In South Africa, metered taxis generally need to be pre-booked by telephone. Your hotel concierge will arrange a taxi through a reputable company upon request. These taxis are dependable but can be rather costly, especially if you are covering long distances. The AA (Automobile Association of South Africa) has recently launched a metered taxi service and is a good option in terms of reliability and affordability.

Note: Avoid the unsolicited taxi services offered to you by random drivers at the airports as they have not been approved by the Automobile Association.

The Automobile Association of South Africa

Car Hire

One of the best ways of doing your sightseeing in and around South Africa is by car. Self-drive routes are extremely popular among independent travellers. There are a number of reputable car hire companies in South Africa, offering a wide range of vehicles that vary according to the traveller’s needs. You can hire anything from the most basic vehicle (without air-conditioning or a radio) to the ultimate in luxury (a Mercedes Benz with all the trimmings); even 4x4 vehicles (SUV’s) for trips into the bush and motorhomes.

Buses

Unfortunately, South Africa’s public bus system is by no means as effective or comprehensive as the systems in Europe, but there are some city Metro buses on offer for short-haul travel. In terms of long-haul trips, there are a number of excellent bus companies offering cost-effective deals for people to tour around the country. These luxury buses will transport visitors from one major city to another at a very reasonable cost.

Greyhound

InterCape

Translux

Rail

Trains are a popular way of moving around South Africa. The standard long-haul passenger trains, operated by the state-owned Spoornet, are inexpensive, reasonably comfortable, clean and safe, but by no means luxurious or fast. However, Spoornet’s Premier Classe (from Pretoria via Johannesburg to Cape Town) and the two top-notch luxury trains, Rovos Rail and The Blue Train, are a much more sophisticated bet.

The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is going to be the new addition to the rail transport network in Gauteng. The underground/overground network, scheduled for completion and operating at full capacity by 2010, promises travel times of less than 15 minutes between Sandton and O.R. Tambo International, and 40 minutes between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

 

Takeaways in Coventry.