Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around South Africa.

National Trains [Shosholoza Meyl]

• Long-distance routes — Shosholoza Meyl operates overnight trains between major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Journeys take 24–36 hours but are affordable and a scenic alternative to flying or driving.
• Services are frequently delayed or cancelled without notice. Book well ahead and confirm departure times the day before travel.
• Sleeper cabins — Upgrade to a sleeper cabin for safety and comfort on overnight routes; economy seating is crowded and theft occurs. Prices range from R600–R2000 depending on distance and cabin class.
• Luggage limits — One large bag and one small carry-on per passenger; excess luggage incurs surcharges. Store valuables with you, not in overhead racks.

City Metro & Buses [MyCiti, Gautrain]

• MyCiti Cape Town — MyCiti Bus Service operates reliable, frequent routes across Cape Town with dedicated lanes. Use the MyCiti app or buy a reloadable card at stations; single trips cost R8–R28.
• Gautrain Johannesburg — Fast rail link between Johannesburg, Pretoria, and OR Tambo Airport; trains run every 10–20 minutes. Buy tickets at stations or via the Gautrain app; single fares R20–R60.
• Municipal buses (like Johannesburg's Metrobus) are often overcrowded and targeted by pickpockets. Keep bags in front of you and avoid travelling alone late at night.
• Peak hours — Public transport is extremely congested 06:30–09:00 and 16:00–18:30 on weekdays. Travel outside these windows if possible.
• Day passes — MyCiti and Gautrain offer daily and weekly passes; a MyCiti day pass costs R85 and covers unlimited travel within the network.

Taxis & Minibuses [Shared Transport]

• How taxis work — Minibus taxis (typically 12–16 seaters) run set routes and depart when full, not on schedule. Fares are negotiated or fixed; ask locals the standard rate before boarding.
• Taxis are poorly regulated and accidents are common due to speeding and overloading. Avoid night journeys and sit near a window for safety.
• Rank etiquette — Approach the correct taxi rank for your destination (ask at accommodation). Tap on the vehicle roof or window to signal your stop; hand fare to the conductor, not the driver.
• Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur regularly on crowded taxis. Keep valuables concealed and bags close to your body.
• Tourist routes — In major cities, use official tourist shuttle services or ride-hailing apps instead of informal taxis if unfamiliar with routes.

Ride-Hailing Apps [Uber, Bolt, Indriver]

• Coverage and fares — Uber and Bolt operate in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria with reliable driver screening. Fares are slightly higher than taxis but predictable; trips cost R30–R150 in-city.
• Safety features — Share your ride details with a friend via the app, check driver ratings (4.8+), and take photos of the license plate before boarding. Report unsafe drivers immediately.
• Surge pricing applies during peak hours and rainy weather; fares can triple. Book slightly outside rush hours or use Indriver for negotiated fares.
• Payment methods — Uber and Bolt require a linked card or local bank transfer. Most drivers accept cash if you set it as your payment method beforehand.
• Indriver alternative — Indriver lets you negotiate fares with drivers in real-time; useful in areas where surge pricing is high or in smaller towns with lower app coverage.

Driving [Rules & Roads]

• License and age — You must hold a valid international driving permit (IDP) alongside your home license. Minimum rental age is usually 21; drivers under 25 may face surcharges.
• Carjackings and robbery of vehicles occur in Johannesburg and Cape Town, especially at night and at traffic lights. Keep doors locked, windows up, and avoid deserted areas.
• Speed and fines — Speed limits are enforced by camera and traffic police; expect fines of R500–R2000 for exceeding limits. Speeding on highways (above 120 km/h) is heavily penalised.
• Road conditions — Major highways (N1, N2) are well-maintained, but rural and township roads have potholes and lack street lighting. Drive during daylight if unfamiliar with routes; fuel up regularly in remote areas.
• Drinking and driving — The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC; random breath tests are common. Refuse to drive under the influence; fines and jail time are severe.
• Minibus taxi drivers often disregard traffic laws and cut across lanes without warning. Drive defensively and assume other vehicles will make sudden moves.

Airports [OR Tambo, CTIA, KSIA]

• Major hubs — OR Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town International, and King Shaka (Durban) are South Africa's largest airports. Most domestic and international flights depart from OR Tambo.
• Arrival process — Arrive 2–3 hours before domestic flights and 3–4 hours before international flights. Have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for immigration.
• Ground transport — Use the Gautrain from OR Tambo (R100 to central Johannesburg) or ride-hailing apps. Avoid unmarked taxis; agree on fares with official metered taxis or pre-book transfers.
• Baggage theft occurs at baggage claim; keep bags in sight and use TSA locks. Report any theft to airport security immediately.
• Domestic airlines — Kulula.com, FlySafair, and South African Airways offer budget domestic flights; book online to avoid queues. Allow time for security screening even for domestic flights.

Ferries & Water Transport

• Table Bay ferries — Ferries run from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town to Robben Island (30 minutes). Book tickets online via Robben Island Museum website; prices R380 for adults.
• Island restrictions — Robben Island tours are guided only; photography is restricted in certain zones. Tours run daily except Christmas; sea conditions may force cancellations in winter (June–August).
• The ferry service operates subject to weather; rough seas in winter frequently cause cancellations. Book tickets flexible enough to reschedule.
• Coastal routes — No regular long-distance ferries operate along the coast; domestic air travel is the standard for inter-coastal journeys.

Tickets & Passes [Payment Systems]

• Reloadable cards — Buy a Joburg Link card (Johannesburg), MyCiti card (Cape Town), or Gautrain card at transport hubs. These are rechargeable, discounted against cash fares, and valid for 5 years.
• Weekly and monthly passes — Most metros offer passes: MyCiti weekly pass (R300) covers unlimited city travel; Gautrain monthly pass (R1800) is best for frequent commuters.
• Tipping — Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated: R1–R5 for short taxi rides, 10% for ride-hailing drivers, 15–20% for rental cars with drivers.
• Cash-only taxi ranks and informal settlements do not issue receipts; keep small change for exact fares to avoid overpaying. Counterfeit notes circulate; check all cash carefully.
• Digital wallets — Some taxis and ride services accept mobile money via SnapScan, Zapper, or PayU. Download these apps to avoid carrying large sums of cash.

Connectivity & SIM Cards [Mobile Networks]

• Major networks — Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C are the dominant carriers. Buy prepaid SIM cards at airport shops, supermarkets, or spaza shops for R20–R50; activate with ID.
• Data bundles — 1 GB data costs R30–R50; 10 GB costs R150–R250 depending on provider. Buy bundles via USSD codes (e.g., *100# for Vodacom) or the operator's app.
• Roaming alternatives — International roaming is expensive; buy a local SIM instead. Alternatively, use free WiFi at hotels, cafes, and shopping centres; many require a password from staff.
• 4G coverage is good in cities but patchy outside major towns. Switch to 3G or 2G in rural areas; download offline maps before travelling.
• Registration — South African law requires SIM registration with ID; provide your passport or a local ID copy at the point of sale. Unregistered SIMs are limited to outgoing calls only.