Getting around Travelling around Southern Africa is fairly easy as there are plenty of formal and informal transport systems. This is an overview of what's available... |
Choose a transport option
- Air Flights
Major airlines fly into Cape Town and Johannesburg on a daily basis. You won’t get cheaper fares by booking them in Southern Africa so you may as well book them from wherever you are/live.
- Baz Bus Hop on Hop off
The Baz Bus is a hop-on, hop-off backpackers bus in South Africa. It’s an easy way to get from A to B and a fun way to meet other travellers. They drop you at your backpacking hostel door.
- Buy back Car Companies
Buy a car here for your journey through Southern Africa and save up to 60% in rental fees!
- Car Hire South Africa
There are a number of cheap car hire operators in South Africa. All of the cities in South Africa have car hire branches.
- Long Distance Buses
There are a number of long distance buses including Translux, Intercape, Greyhound and the Baz Bus (which is the only real backpacker bus).
- Long distance trains
Southern Africa does not have a great railroad infrastructure so travelling by train is fairly restrictive (but fun nonetheless).
- Minibus taxis
Without doubt, the cheapest way to travel is to use local black transport systems or “minibus taxis”. They require nerves of steel but are definitely the most efficient way to get around pretty much anywhere in South Africa.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
This East London establishment is excellent value, offering self catering accommodation near the beach or in Gonubie
(Gonubie Eastern Cape,Sunshine Coast)
These are usually air-conditioned “luxury buses” which have on-board toilets and a hostess who occasionally offers you a sugary drink or blanket. “Chicken (pack ‘em and stack ‘em) busses” are cheaper, less spacious, more crowded, more likely to be fun (if you have a sense of humour) and more likely to break down. In some areas they may be the only bus service and are unlikely to have a strict timetable.
(Not Set / NA,Not set / NA)
These adventure specialists offer a variety of exciting activities in the Stormsriver Gorge and its surroundings.
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
A great place for visiting Backpackers to meet Grahamstown University Students
(Grahamstown,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
Gecko Lounge backpackers is the perfect place to take some Malawian time out at the lake.
(Plettenberg Bay,Malawi)
Give your soul time and space to breathe.
(Montagu Western Cape,Overberg )
Valley View is bright, fun and funky.
(Graskop,Mpumalanga)
This Hermanus backpackers has been here forever. "Zoete Inval" means "drop in and make yourself at home" in Dutch - which is easy enough to do here.
(Hermanus,Overberg )
This Backpackers' hostel is set in 3 hectares of forest near to the Vic Bay's famous surfing beach
(Victoria Bay,Garden Route)
Learn to surf in J'bay.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
