Transport

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Transport

South African Rail Travel

South African rail travel provides an exciting way to take in the scenic beauty of this country. Options include economy class and luxury coaches as well as the ultimate opulent rail safari on the Blue Train. Steam enthusiasts can also enjoy rail journeys of old on restored steam trains.

South Africa train, The Blue Train, has been named the world's leading luxury train.

South Africa rail travel makes for an African safari with a difference. Rail transport in South Africa enjoys good infrastructure with a number of offerings available to visitors wanting to explore the country this way.

South Africa train travel covers some of the most beautiful parts of the country, taking visitors from cities like Johannesburg and Bloemfontein to prime destinations like Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

South African rail travel operations include Spoornet's Shosholoza Meyl - a passenger train that runs between all major cities. An economy class ticket will buy you a reclining seat with sufficient legroom on routes that include 11 major cities across the country.

An upgraded ticket will get you either a 2-bed coupe or 4-bed compartment, which double as suites during the day and bedrooms at night. Communal showers and toilets are offered. This option is available on routes between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein and East London, and between Cape Town and Durban.

Spoornet also operates the Premier Classe, a luxury passenger line that accommodates 126 guests in spacious 2-, 3- or 4-bed compartments, complete with well-appointed bathrooms. Little extras like gowns and toiletries are provided, and room service is available.  The Premier Classe line operates between Johannesburg and Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, and Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

South Africa's most famous train is undoubtedly The Blue Train. The last word in rail luxury, The Blue Train pulls out all the stops to guarantee an ultra-luxurious South African rail safari. Marble tiles, gold fittings, in-suite digital entertainment centres and top-class local cuisine and wines complete the opulent Blue Train experience.

The Blue Train operates between Pretoria and Cape Town, and Pretoria and Durban. A special trip to the Pilanesberg National Park is also available.

Steam enthusiasts should definitely book a steam train excursion on a beautifully restored locomotive, such as Rovos Rail. Day and overnight outings are available from Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and along the Garden Route.

Taxis with a difference

South African Taxi Travel

South African taxi travel combines the services of regular, metered taxis with the somewhat unconventional minibus system, which has a language and code of its own. Metered taxis are recommended, although a ride on a minibus can provide interesting insights into the lives and cultures of ordinary South Africans.

South African taxis include minibus taxis.

Around 90% of South African taxis are minibus taxis. Only 10% are metered taxis.

South African taxi travel is unlike that of most other countries in the world. Here, you will not find South African taxis simply driving the streets, waiting to be hailed at the next street corner. Rather, taxis in South Africa must be specifically telephoned for service, which can become tricky if you plan to visit several sites or destinations in a day.

South African taxi travel can be broadly categorised according to two sectors: metered taxis and what's commonly referred to as minibus taxis.

Metered taxis are definitely the international visitor's best bet. They can be called from the hotel where you're staying, with hotel staff recommending the best local services to use. Metered taxis are private, offer door-to-door service and generally efficient, with experienced drivers behind the wheel.

However, compared to hiring your own car, using a shuttle service or booking a tour that includes transport, metered taxis can be quite costly.

Minibus taxis serve the general population, as public transport that is able to pick up and drop off passengers in areas not serviced by the country's bus and rail networks. It's a somewhat unconventional service, in that routes are determined by the drivers and there are no specific scheduled stops - taxis simply stop wherever a passenger needs to alight.

Hailing these taxis is also a matter of knowing your sign language, for each route and destination has its own specific sign which passengers use to flag down drivers.

While a ride on a minibus taxi will certainly provide you with an authentic South African travel experience, this service must be used with caution. The vehicles are often not maintained properly and therefore unroadworthy, and drivers have the tendency to drive recklessly.

If you're interested in a minibus ride while in South Africa, take a short trip accompanied by an experienced guide or a local who understands the system well.

 South African bus travel

South African bus travel is a popular mode of transport for both local and international visitors to the country. There are a number of bus operators available, offering both economy and luxury rides. Many also offer cross-border journeys, into neighbouring states making for an authentic African travel experience.

South African buses include Intercape luxury coaches.

 

The country's road network spans 754 000km, providing ample routes for South African buses.

South African bus travel provides a great way to see the country. South African buses are comfortable and feature normal coach creature comforts. Some even have specially designed sleeper chairs to make your ride more pleasant.

Tourism buses in South Africa are predominantly operated by Greyhound, Autopax and Intercape. South African bus travel can also include trips to neighbouring African countries, as many local service providers operate routes across Southern Africa.

Autopax is such an operator, featuring the brands Translux and City-to-City, which cover more than 100 domestic destinations and a number of African routes.

Translux is a luxury, inter-city operator. It offers double and single decker luxury coaches which feature audio and visual entertainment, reclining seats, air-conditioning, reading lights, heaters and onboard toilet facilities.

City-to-City is a semi-luxury service, operating between all the major centres in Southern Africa, including Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Intercape has one of the largest regional inter-city infrastructures, offering 38 daily departures across South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana. Its fleet includes 49 luxury double-decker and 15 single-decker coaches.

Its two brands are Sleepliner and Mainliner. The luxury Sleepliner service boasts top-of-the-range, imported coaches with the only specially designed sleeper chairs in the country. Coaches are air-conditioned, have audio and visual entertainment, onboard toilets and are serviced by cabin attendants.

Mainliner coaches offer standard seating and have similar features to the Sleepliner service. This service operates between all major South African cities and Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Greyhound operates a vast national network between major cities and towns. Its luxury coaches feature air-conditioning, reclining seats, audio and visual entertainment, onboard toilets and cabin attendants on certain routes.


Durban Airport transfers

 

Durban airport transfers provide quick and easy access to destinations in and around the sprawling Ethekwini Durban Metro. Transfers also cover the metro's beachfront as well as areas up and down the coast, which will see you kicking back on the beach in no time at all.

Durban International transfers will take you into Ethekwini Durban, South Africa's third largest metropolitan area.

Durban airport transfers are available from Durban International Airport, which receives international flights as well as daily flights from major centres around South Africa.

Airport transfers in Durban can be arranged by the hotel or lodge at which you're staying, so check when booking if direct airport-hotel transfers are available.

Alternatively, you can make use of any of the numerous Durban International transfer services available. These are offered by selected car rental companies, specialist transfer operators and shuttle service providers.

Durban airport transfers are available to the Ethekwini Durban Metro, the Durban beachfront, the Dolphin Coast and Hibiscus Coast, and nearby Durban attractions such as uShaka Marine World.

All of South Africa's major car rental companies have offices at Durban International Airport. Many of these agencies offer a door-to-door, airport transfer service, including Avis Rent a Car, Tempest Car Hire and Hertz. These transfers are best booked in advance when planning your trip.

If you'd rather travel in luxury from the airport to your beach destination, try one of the private, luxury transfer services available. Airport Express is an established, full-service transport logistics company that offers private transfer and chauffeur services in and around Durban in luxury sedans.

There are numerous shuttle services that operate between the airport and the metro. The Magic Bus shuttle service offers scheduled rides and a door-to-door service. The latter is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Durban International Airport is only 15km from the city centre and as such transfers to the metro are relatively quick. If you're travelling to the Dolphin Coast or Hibiscus Coast, plan for a 45 minute to 2-hour journey, depending on your destination.

Ethekwini Durban and the surrounds boast a number of excellent hotels within easy driving distance of the airport. Try the Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga, the Hilton Hotel in Durban, Hotel Izulu in Ballito and the Zimbali Boutique Hotel on the Dolphin Coast.