Air
As a major holiday destination, Cape Town is served by many of the major international and all the domestic airlines. US travellers will probably have to make a connection in London (or another European capital) and Johannesburg, although there are direct 15-hour flights from Atlanta. A direct flight from London is 11 or 12 hours. Cape Town International Airport is 14 miles from the city. It’s recently undergone extensive renovation and more work is planned in advance of the 2010 soccer World Cup. At present, there isn’t a reliable public transport system that services the airport, so other arrangements need to be made. If you’ve pre-booked accommodation, there’s a good chance that your hotel offers a collection and drop-off service. There are also shuttle services that run between the airport and popular destinations such as the city centre and the Waterfront. All the major car rental companies have desks at the airport and taxis are readily available and inexpensive. The fare will range from 8 to 12 Rand a mile.
Train
If you’re going to Cape Town from another major city in South Africa, taking the train is a civilised, safe and enjoyable way to travel. The Blue Train, for instance, is a world-famous luxury service from the capital, Pretoria, to Cape Town once or twice a week. There are also tourist and economy-class fares available on standard services. A journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town takes just over 24 hours. Some ideas on itineraries can be found at www.seat61.com/SouthAfrica.htm
Road
The region has an extensive and well-signposted network of national (prefix ‘N’), metropolitan (‘M’) and regional (‘R’) highways. Surfaces are generally in very good condition. A driving licence must be carried at all times. Foreign licences are OK provided they carry a photograph and are either printed in English or accompanied by an English language certificate of authenticity. Alternatively, obtain an International Driving Permit before departure. South Africa drives on the left and, curiously, its traffic lights are known as ‘robots.’
