• 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 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.

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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).


Transport

  • Mainliner bus services

    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.
 Feeling lucky?
(randomly selected service providers from all regions)

Island Vibe Knysna
This Knysna backpackers is in the thick of the action in Knysna and all set to rock.
(Knysna,Garden Route)

Stellenbosch Travellers Lodge
This Stellenbosch backpackers is a favourite with big groups, churches and schools.
(Stellenbosch,Wine Region)

Skydive KZN
Fly with the birds.
(Durban ,Durban)

Happy Hippo Backpackers
Happy Hippo is Durban's latest backpacker is a glam big sister to the Hippo Hide.
(Durban ,Durban)


Diamond Diggers Adventure Tours
Do Jo'burg and surrounds in depth.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)

Amakhala ‘Hands On’ Volunteers
A Big Five Reserve that offers lessons…
(Grahamstown,)

Shonalanga Lodge
Shonalanga lodge in St Lucia is in the centre of town and more of a lodge than a backpackers.
(St Lucia,Zululand)

detourafrica.com
Discounts on backpackers travel in South Africa.
(Addo Elephant Park,)

Away With The Fairies
Set on a huge property with lovely gardens and overlooking the mystical Hogsback Peaks, this is a wonderful backpacker.
(Hogsback,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)