South Africa transportation services are efficient and reliable, allowing you to effectively plan your South African holiday. Transport options in South Africa include car hire; bus, rail and taxi services; and a range of domestic flights; as well as the availability of traveling through South Africa with various tour operators.

If travelling through South Africa on a self-drive journey, hire a car, 4x4, motorhome or motorbike for your trip. There are car rental agencies at all airports and in major centres across the country, offering a complete range of vehicles. If you plan to go offroading, hire a 4x4 through a specialist agency.

Many of the national highways between the major centres are toll roads. Check the toll fees before you leave and make sure that you have either a credit card or preferably cash to pay.

There are few roads in South Africa where you would need a 4WD vehicle. Even in the self-drive national parks and off the beaten track safari areas South Africa driving conditions are good enough for standard 2WD vehicles to be able to cope adequately.

The Automobile Association of South Africa produces maps, atlases and guides of South Africa which are easy to read, giving you accurate information on South Africa driving directions and conditions.

They are obtainable at most of the bookshops in cities and towns throughout the country. The AA also provides invaluable guides of most of the major routes in South Africa in the form of strip maps.

Distances between cities / towns

The AA distance calculator will give you the South Africa driving distances between most of our other cities and towns. All distances shown are based on the shortest practicable routes. They are not necessarily the best or the fastest.

South Africa has a number of airlines flying between its major cities, and some of its smaller ones, with fares ranging from first-class to cut-price economy. Flights can be booked online from anywhere in the world.

Eight major domestic airlines operate in the country, as well as a number of smaller charter airline companies.

South African Airways, South African Express, South African Airlink, and British Airways operated by Comair fly between all the major cities and to some of the smaller ones.

Kulula.com, 1time and Mango offer cut-price flights on the more popular routes between Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit and George.

Our newest airline, Velvet Sky, offer flights between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

All flight operators offer online booking services, with payment by credit card or directly into the relevant bank account.

You need to be at the airport at least an hour before departure for domestic flights.

You can click on any of the logos to the right to go to each airline's website as well.

South African transportation services include numerous rail operators. Book a 2-bed coupe or 4-bed compartment on the passenger train, the Shosholoza Meyl, or a luxury compartment with private bathroom on its sister line, the Premier Classe.

For an ultra-luxurious ride, secure a compartment on the renowned Blue Train, with its opulent décor and exquisite cuisine.

Steam enthusiasts can also enjoy day and overnight trips on restored steam trains on Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town. Enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury. The air-conditioned sleeper coaches are the epitome of luxury, with handsome wood panelling and period Edwardian features.

South Africa boasts several coach operators that cover routes across the country. You can book a seat on the luxury coaches provided by Intercape, Greyhound and Autopax (Translux). These operators also travel into surrounding African countries, making cross-country adventures easy.

Taxi services are restricted to private, metered taxis that have to be specifically called for service. Ask your hotel to assist with any necessary bookings.

South African taxis also include minibus taxis, but use these services with caution as vehicles are often unroadworthy and drivers a little careless. For an authentic South African taxi experience, take a short minibus ride with an experienced guide or local.