- 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.
Young and old, fat and thin are crammed into a minibus with varying volumes of noise and a variety of languages. It’s cheap, convenient, they drop you off where you want and are NEVER full (although you might not agree). Ask a local for the appropriate hand signals/sign language you need to flag them down.
Most white South Africans will tell you that minibus taxis are dangerous - so ask African people about what buses and taxis to use if you’re interested. We can’t provide more information on minibus taxis - it is a hugely informal sector and you’ll have to get your information locally.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
A backpackers overlooking Wilderness.
(Wilderness,Garden Route)
A discount card to backpackers in South Africa that offers great value.
(Ais Ais,Cape Town)
This is Cape Town's longest running travel centre.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)
Welcome to God's country at the Tsitsa Falls
(Hogsback,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
Backed by a nature reserve and not far from the lagoon and sea, this is a great spot for some time out.
(Betty's Bay,Overberg )
Explore the South Peninsula.
(Noordhoek,Cape Town)
Cultural, historical and nature tours of Johannesburg and Soweto
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Cape Town's first backpacking hostel is still going strong and offers excellent facilities.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)
A private beach and a cliff-top restaurant.
(Simon's Town,Malawi)
A warm backpackers on the south coast which welcomes with a beautiful view, and great home cooking.
(Leisure Bay,South Coast)
