Travel

By and large South Africa enjoys good relations with all nations represented in the United Nations. This means that passport holders from all countries and with the proper documentation (should they come from a country that requires a visa) are welcome to visit and travel in South Africa.

Visiting South Africa

Requirements for all visitors to South Africa:

• A valid and acceptable passport or travel document
• At least two blank pages in your passport (one is required for the visa, the other is required for the immigration stamp when you get into the country)
• A valid visa if required
• Sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay
• A return or onward ticket

Transport

Cape Town International Airport

The conference venues and hotels in the Cape Town central business district are a 20-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport. On arrival, access to ground transport is simple and convenient. There are a number of taxis, coaches, and shuttle services from the airport to the city centre. One of the most convenient ways to travel from the airport to the city centre is to catch the MyCiti bus service that leaves from the Airport roughly every 15 minutes.

While most international carriers fly into Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport is served by more than 20 international airlines on a weekly basis, linking the destination to global hubs like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore and London.

Travel costs can be lowered by flying via OR Tambo International Airport, in Johannesburg, or King Shaka International Airport, in Durban. Johannesburg is Africa's busiest airport, and one of the few airports in the world with direct flights to all six inhabited continents. Cape Town is a two-hour domestic flight from Johannesburg and Durban and on average there are flights every half hour between the two cities with a variety of domestic carriers. Cheaper options include different bus services linking the cities.

MyCiti bus system

For more infromation about the MyCiti Bus Rapid Transport System see their website

The Airport is conveniently connected to the city centre via a direct, 30 minute long MyCiti Bus route (A01) costing only R53.00 (US$5) per person. The MyCiti bus rapid transit system services most of the city centre and a number of suburbs. It is currently still in the process of being expanded across the city. It is the suggested means of transport for people visiting the city.

Hop on-Hop off sight seeing bus

The ubiquitous red hop on-hop off sight seeing bus can easily be found at or near popular destinations in Cape Town. A day pass allows people to easily access most scenic locations within the city during the day. Users board and disembark multiple buses during the day to visit locations at their convenience. A day pass costs R130 ($12.11) with night tours costing R90 ($8.39).

Light rail

Cape Town Station is situated around 500 meters away from the CTICC and is the hub of the Metrorail Western Cape commuter rail network. The network consists of four lines, all of which originate from Cape Town and connect to the four most populated areas of the city. The Southern Line links to the city's Southern Suburbs and Simon's Town; the Cape Flats Line via Athlone to Retreat; the Central Line via Langa to Mitchell's Plain, Khayelitsha and Bellville; and the Northern Line via Bellville to Paarl, Stellenbosch and Somerset West. The airport is not connected to the railway network.

Taxis

Uber is a popular taxi service in Cape Town due to its reasonable fares and higher quality service. Other options available include the regular and mini-bus taxi services in Cape Town that are readily available. Shared mini-bus taxis are commonly used by local residents. When taking a private taxi, it is recommended that registered sedan taxi services be used, such as Rikkis Taxis, Marine Taxis, or Unicab.

Minibus taxis offer the cheapest transport, and their routes cover the entire peninsula, but they are entirely undocumented for visitors, and are usually overcrowded, badly driven, and sometimes un-roadworthy. Ask a local for help before using until you are familiar.

Car hire

You can hire a car for around R380 a day. An international driver's licence is required in South Africa and the licence must include a photograph as well as the signature of the holder. Driving is on the left hand side of the road, and speed limits are in kilometres. Cash is sometimes required to pay for fuel, as credit cards are not always accepted.

Links

Get around Cape Town with Wikivoyage