- 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).
- 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.
Long distance trains
Southern Africa does not have a great railroad infrastructure so travelling by train is fairly restrictive (but fun nonetheless).
The Blue Train…and more
The Blue Train (a seriously fancy luxurious indulgence) is something to think about when you make your first million. In the meantime, here's a brief low-down on Southern African train services. You don't have to travel First Class if your budget doesn’t stretch that far (despite what many white South Africans will tell you). Second Class is fine. The carriages are segregated (according to sex - the bad old racial days are long gone…). If there are two or three of you, try to get a coupe (which is a reasonably priced three bunk carriage) in second class. Third class is for hard core travellers – it’s cheap but there are no sleeper compartments. In terms of routes, train travel in Southern Africa is fairly restrictive as lines only run between major routes. That said, it’s a great way to travel.
The Blue Train (a seriously fancy luxurious indulgence) is something to think about when you make your first million. In the meantime, here's a brief low-down on Southern African train services. You don't have to travel First Class if your budget doesn’t stretch that far (despite what many white South Africans will tell you). Second Class is fine. The carriages are segregated (according to sex - the bad old racial days are long gone…). If there are two or three of you, try to get a coupe (which is a reasonably priced three bunk carriage) in second class. Third class is for hard core travellers – it’s cheap but there are no sleeper compartments. In terms of routes, train travel in Southern Africa is fairly restrictive as lines only run between major routes. That said, it’s a great way to travel.
Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Steam Train
You can catch the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Steam Train between George and Mossel Bay on the Garden Route. It runs along the coastline hugging cliff faces and traversing spectacular coves and beaches. It is a wonderful experience and we suggest that you climb on board with a picnic and a bottle or two of bubbly and have yourself a fun time!
For more information on times and services go to www.onlinesources.co.za/chootjoe
Watch out for school holidays
Trains are often fully booked weeks in advance – so if you want to travel by train you'll need to make your reservations early – especially for June - July and December - January.
Trains are often fully booked weeks in advance – so if you want to travel by train you'll need to make your reservations early – especially for June - July and December - January.
A few hidden train routes of South Africa
You can go from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
via Oudtshoorn on the semi-luxury "Premier Classe" train.
You can now travel between East London and Mthatha (Umtata) by
train - this service is provided by "Kei Rail", an initiative of the
Eastern Cape Department of Transport.
You can go from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
via Oudtshoorn on the semi-luxury "Premier Classe" train.
You can now travel between East London and Mthatha (Umtata) by
train - this service is provided by "Kei Rail", an initiative of the
Eastern Cape Department of Transport.
For all information on train travel in South Africa
The official site for train travel in South Africa is
http://www.shosholozameyl.co.za/html-site/routes-main.html
And we have to thank Paul for helping us with this section who can be found at
http://PaulKilfoil.webs.com
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
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 )
A backpackers in mountains of Swaziland.
(Northern Swaziland,South Coast)
This Backpackers is where you can kick back and relax under the big amber tree...
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
Colesberg is one of those famous half way stops between here and there.
(Colesberg,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
Cheap car hire in South Africa and rentals to under 21's.
(Banana Beach,Cape Town)
A backpackers, club and restaurant all rolled into one.
(Inhambane and Tofo,Mozambique)
Muizenberg's and Cape Town's original youth hostel. It is a mere stroll from Muizenberg beach.
(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)
Learn to surf in J'bay.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
A comfortable Durban backpackers hostel run by seasoned travellers.
(Durban ,Durban)
Fairy Knowe is a Wilderness backpackers which is set on an old rambling farm with masses of space, horses, dogs and birds, overlooking the wetlands.
(Wilderness,Garden Route)
