South Africa is a big country — roughly twice the size of France — and moving between its headline destinations requires planning. The good news is that there are excellent options for every type of traveller and budget, from affordable domestic flights to exceptional road-tripping infrastructure to the legendary Baz Bus for backpackers.
For most visitors, renting a car is the single best decision you can make. South Africa’s road system is good, the scenery is extraordinary, and the freedom to stop, explore, and set your own pace is the essence of the South African travel experience. But let’s look at all the options.
Car Hire
Renting a car gives you maximum freedom and is strongly recommended for most itineraries beyond a single city. Roads in South Africa are generally excellent (the N2, N1, N4, and N3 national routes are tarred and well-maintained), petrol stations are plentiful, and distances are manageable.
What Vehicle Do I Need?
- Standard economy sedan (e.g., Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo): Fine for city driving, the Garden Route, the Winelands, and most tar-road itineraries. Cheapest option, from approximately R350–R600 per day.
- SUV or crossover (e.g., Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson): Recommended for trips involving gravel roads or Kruger’s park roads. Higher clearance is useful for gravel and the occasional river crossing. From approximately R700–R1,200 per day.
- 4x4 (e.g., Toyota Fortuner, Land Cruiser): Essential only for very remote areas — the Richtersveld, Kgalagadi’s inner roads, Naude’s Nek Pass, some Wild Coast roads. From approximately R1,000–R2,000 per day.
Note: You do NOT need a 4x4 for standard Kruger National Park self-drive. All the main game-viewing roads are well-graded tar or compacted gravel.
Major Car Hire Companies
All major international brands (Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, Sixt) and South African companies (Tempest, First, Bidvest) operate at all major airports. Book online in advance for the best rates.
Tips:
- Take out Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection — even if you think your credit card covers you, local exclusions often apply
- Check the vehicle carefully for existing damage before leaving the lot and photograph everything
- Most vehicles are manual (stick shift) — if you require automatic, book specifically and pay the premium
- One-way rentals (pick up in Cape Town, drop off in Johannesburg) are generally available but carry a surcharge
Driving Tips
Left-hand traffic: Drive on the left, overtake on the right. Roundabouts give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. Traffic lights are called “robots” by South Africans.
Four-way stops (“four-ways”): Extremely common. The rule is first to arrive, first to go. When multiple cars arrive simultaneously, yield to the right.
Fuel: Petrol (gasoline) costs approximately R23–R27 per litre (fluctuates with the Rand/oil price). Petrol stations are staffed — you never pump your own fuel. Never leave petrol below a quarter tank in remote areas.
Night driving: Avoid night driving on rural roads where possible. Animals, pedestrians, and unlighted vehicles on rural roads at night are genuine hazards.
Speed cameras and fines: Speed cameras are widespread on national roads. The speed limit is 120km/h on highways, 100km/h on other national roads, and 60km/h in urban areas. Fines can be paid at any traffic department office or online.
Domestic Flights
For covering large distances quickly — particularly the Johannesburg–Cape Town route (1,460km apart) — domestic flights are the sensible choice.
Key Airlines
FlySafair — South Africa’s most popular budget carrier, operating Johannesburg–Cape Town, Johannesburg–Durban, Johannesburg–George, Cape Town–Durban, and several other routes. Excellent punctuality record. Book at flysafair.co.za. Fares from approximately R700 one way (booked well ahead).
Airlink — Serves regional routes not covered by budget carriers: Johannesburg to Hoedspruit (Kruger/Sabi Sands), to Skukuza (inside Kruger), to George (Garden Route), to Gqeberha, to East London, to Richards Bay, and international routes to regional African countries. Slightly more expensive than FlySafair but serves many key tourist routes.
CemAir — Smaller carrier serving some of the same routes with competitive fares.
South African Airways (SAA) — The national carrier, serving all major domestic routes and international routes. Usually more expensive than budget carriers but with added reliability for international connections.
Luggage note: For bush flights and charter aircraft, luggage is typically limited to soft bags of 20kg (no hard suitcases due to space limitations in smaller aircraft). If doing a safari fly-in, budget for a day bag rather than a full-size suitcase.
Baz Bus
The Baz Bus (bazbusafrica.com) is a door-to-door hop-on-hop-off bus service running primarily along South Africa’s tourist routes. Unlike standard coach services, the Baz Bus picks up and drops off directly at backpacker hostels — avoiding the hassle of getting to a bus station.
Routes served:
- Cape Town → Garden Route (Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay) → Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha
- Cape Town → Gqeberha → Port Alfred → East London → Coffee Bay → Durban
Pricing: A full Cape Town–Durban pass costs approximately R4,500–R6,000. Individual sector tickets are also available.
Best suited to: Solo travellers, backpackers, those without a driving licence, and anyone wanting a social, hostel-centred travel experience.
Intercity Coaches
Greyhound, Intercape, and FlixBus operate scheduled luxury coach services between major cities. The Johannesburg–Cape Town route (approximately 20 hours!) is covered overnight, which some budget travellers use to save on a night’s accommodation. Prices from approximately R350–R700 depending on the route and how far ahead you book.
More practical for shorter routes — Johannesburg to Bloemfontein (5 hours), Cape Town to George (5 hours), etc.
Uber & Taxis in Cities
Uber operates in all major cities and is by far the most reliable and transparent option for urban transport. Always check the vehicle registration plate and driver name before getting in.
Metered taxis: Available at airports, hotels, and taxi ranks in major cities. Always agree on a fare or ensure the meter is running before setting off.
e-Hailing apps: InDriver and Bolt also operate in some South African cities as alternatives to Uber.
What to avoid: Never accept lifts from unlicensed taxi drivers who approach you in car parks or at arrival halls. Minibus taxis (the standard South African public transport) are fine but complex for visitors unfamiliar with the routes and etiquette — they’re not recommended for tourist travel.
Train
The Gautrain rapid rail (linking OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, Sandton, Rosebank, and Pretoria) is excellent and safe. South Africa’s other long-distance train services (operated by Transnet’s Shosholoza Meyl) run but are slow, unreliable, and not recommended for time-sensitive travel.
The famous Rovos Rail and Blue Train are luxury rail experiences — not transport, but spectacular multi-day journeys (Cape Town to Johannesburg, or Cape Town to Victoria Falls) at premium prices (from approximately R30,000–R60,000 per person for the journey).
Practical Tips
- Fill up with petrol every time you pass a station in rural areas — don’t wait until the warning light
- Download Google Maps offline for your region before departing — data connectivity can be patchy in rural areas
- Keep a physical map or downloaded map available as a backup
- Parking in Cape Town and Johannesburg is managed by informal “car guards” — acknowledge them, and tip R5–R10 when you return to your vehicle
- Never leave valuables visible in a parked car, anywhere in South Africa
