Posted by traveller on March 10, 2010
If you are visiting South Africa the best way to get around and see the area is by getting your own wheels. Getting a rental car in South Africa isn’t much different than getting on anywhere else. Rental cars in South Africa are fairly inexpensive with rates around $40 a day with included insurance. Booking your South Africa rental car is typically cheaper if you book and prepay in advance before leaving your home country.
South Africa car rental companies include:
- Around About Cars
- Avis
- Budget
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Imperial
- Tempest
You can also book rental cars in South Africa on sites like Expedia
or Travelocity
.
In South Africa they do drive on the left; like they do on the United Kingdom. Road conditions in South Africa are excellent. Other drivers will be your biggest concern as the road accident and death rate is quite high at 10,000 to 15,000 deaths from road accidents each year.
Petrol stations in South Africa do not have self-service. Instead they are full service and you are expected to tip around $0.50 when you get your tank filled.
Posted by traveller on July 30, 2009
If you are planning a trip to South Africa and are looking for ways to get around the area you will have a few choices. Buses are a popular method of transportation in the area. You can also opt for luxury buses if you are worried about how you will be traveling. If you are looking to save money, you will want to opt for a minibus taxi. It’s less safe and less comfortable, which means that it is also cheaper.
Air travel is also a possibility to travel in South Africa. The main airport in the region is Johannesburg International Airport, but there is also Cape Town International Airport and Durban International Airport. All of the airports handle regional flights if you want to fly from location to location in South Africa. South African Airways is the national airline of the region.
Train travel is also an option in South Africa. There is even a train that allows you to take cars on it. If you prefer to drive yourself around, you can rent a car. The roads are well kept so you shouldn’t have any problem in that respect. Keep in mind though that the roads in South Africa can be deadly. Th annual death toll from road accidents is around 10,000. According to Lonely Planet, the N1 between Cape Town and Beaufort West is considered to be the most dangerous stretch of road in the country.
Keep in mind that driving is on the left side of the road, like in the United Kingdom. When you stop for petrol it must be paid for in cash. An attendant will always fill up your tank for you, ask if the oil or water needs checking, and clean your windows, as there is no self-service. You are expected to tip the attendant between US$0.30 and US$0.70.
