Last Updated: 7/2/20 | July 2nd, 2020
Every month, Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse writes a guest column featuring tips and advice on solo female travel. It’s an important topic I can’t adequately cover, so I brought in an expert to share her advice. This week, she shares her advice on traveling South Africa.
When I started planning my South Africa trip, a lot of questions went through my mind:
Is a country that big easy to travel around?
Is it expensive?
Is it safe?
The resources I found online were vague, negative, or simply nonexistent. I’d have to either cancel my trip or dive in and figure it all out for myself.
I chose the latter.
After traveling through the country for close to two months, I discovered a wide variety of reasonably affordable ways to navigate South Africa safely and easily.
To help you do the same, here’s my breakdown on how to get around South Africa on a budget:
By Bus
There are several companies that run in the country including Greyhound, Intercape, and Baz Bus (which caters specifically to backpackers).
Baz Bus runs a route from Johannesburg to Cape Town (or vice versa) with several stops along the way. You can hop on or off whenever you want and can begin your trip anywhere, but as those two cities have major airports, most people start in one or the other.
(Matt says: I’ve taken similar buses in New Zealand and Australia. They can be good for people who want to meet other travelers.)
The most popular Baz Bus option is the unlimited one-way hop-on/hop-off pass. It costs 6,900 ZAR ($399 USD) and covers the 1,400km distance between Johannesburg and Cape Town. You have no time limit and have unlimited travel in one direction, allowing you to have as many stops as you want. A return pass costs 10,350 ZAR ($598 USD)
Baz Bus is not a big money saver, as the fares are more than the train and other bus companies, but it is a convenient option for those who are happy to travel along the popular routes and meet other backpackers. The route includes the big cities in South Africa, the famous Drakensberg mountain range, popular spots along the coast, and the famous Garden Route in the Western Cape.
The drawbacks to taking the bus include dealing with a lack of transport once you’re at your destination, though shuttles to various local attractions, such as the bungee jump in Wilderness, are sometimes available at an additional cost. You’ll also need to be flexible with your schedule since the shuttles don’t run every day.
The biggest drawback for me was that the buses run along one set route and only go to the most popular tourist destinations, and drop off only at certain backpacker accommodations. So, for those who like to head off the beaten path, it’s not a great option.
For comparison, a Greyhound or Intercape bus from Johannesburg to Cape Town will cost around 575-1,000 ZAR ($33-57 USD) each way. The journey is around 18-20 hours. The buses are large, air-conditioned, comfortable, and filled with locals, not backpackers.
Be sure to bring along snacks (and water) as well as some entertainment, as the buses run on a tight schedule and most stops are very brief, if they happen at all.
During the high season (December and June through August), you should book ahead as buses fill up quickly.
By Air
Flying around South Africa isn’t that expensive. Budget Airlines like Mango and Kulula serve all major — and even minor — airports in the country with several flights per day. They are easily booked online using any major credit card. For example, a return ticket from Johannesburg to Durban is only 870 ZAR ($50 USD).
Even last-minute flights, as long as they still have quite a few seats left, tend not to go up in price if it’s a major route. For a last-minute planner like me, that was a real treat! For less common routes or smaller airports, prices go up the closer the date is.
Unsurprisingly, inconvenient times and early morning flights tend to be the cheapest. As with most budget airlines the world over, checked baggage and meals onboard cost extra.
While flying is probably the cheapest option, it’s also the least sustainable. And, when you factor in getting to and from each airport you don’t end up saving a huge amount of time if you’re just traveling a short distance.
However, if you’re on a tight schedule then flying is probably your most budget-friendly option.
By Car
When I told my friends I was planning to drive solo through South Africa, they immediately tried to talk me out of it, envisioning dangerous roads, thieves, and no one to help should something go wrong.
In truth, road-tripping through South Africa is not much of a problem at all, as other cars are passing by all the time should a breakdown occur, and South Africans are incredibly friendly and helpful.
That’s not to say driving in South Africa is without risk. There are carjackings from time to time, and break-ins are common. But being aware of this and taking precautions to keep valuables hidden and doors locked greatly reduces the risks.
Renting a car is the most convenient way to get around since you can get to many out-of-the-way parks, cities, and destinations. If you would rather not travel alone but still want to rent a car, post on travel forums such as:
Additionally, ask around hostels as there are usually people looking (or offering) rides (I found my partner in crime through a friend of mine). Not only will you get to meet new people but you’ll be able to split the gas costs, saving your money.
I rented a Volkswagon Vevo, which we booked online and picked up in person. The price worked out to be 4,350 ZAR ($250 USD) for two weeks, including gas, the fee for dropping off in a different city than we rented in (we picked the car up in Johannesburg and dropped it off in Cape Town), and insurance.
During my trip, gas cost around 17 ZAR ($1 USD) per liter. As of 2020, it’s closer to 13 ZAR (.75 USD) per liter. If you choose a smaller car, mileage can be quite good. To keep costs low, we also gave rides to other backpackers we met along the way in exchange for a bit of gas money.
While it’s possible to buy a cheap car and sell it later, the paperwork can sometimes take months to go through and thus is not the best for travelers who don’t plan to spend ages in the country.
For most of the popular destinations in South Africa, a small manual car will do. I’ll admit, a 4×4 would have been helpful for a few of the lesser-visited places that we went to during our road trip, such as the amphitheater hike in the Drakensberg mountains. But they are more expensive to rent and use more fuel. I’d only rent one if you plan on getting off the beaten path often.
By Train
South Africa has a lot of train tracks, however, most aren’t in use as the population has increasingly come to rely on the extensive highway system. Essentially, just the major cities in South Africa are accessible by train.
Shosholoza Meyl (South African Railways) has long-distance trains that serve Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Durban, East London, Johannesburg, Queenstown, and East London. They’re comfortable and safe and make various stops at smaller towns along the way.
The fares are some of the cheapest available for any mode of transport in South Africa, running as low as 525 ZAR ($30 USD) for a sleeper berth from Johannesburg to Durban. They’re safe, comfortable, and one of the best-kept secrets of traveling South Africa.
You can visit the company’s timetable for more information on fares and stops.
For those who are interested some luxury, the famous Blue Train, which runs from Pretoria to Cape Town, costs 26,000 ZAR ($1,500 USD) for a luxury double berth. The trip lasts a few days and includes wine, cigars, great food, and comfortable compartments. It’s the fanciest way to see the country!
How to Stay Safe in South Africa
One last issue of safety: South Africa isn’t more dangerous for a solo traveler than your typical big city in the United States. I was surprised to see that the murder rate of Detroit is actually significantly higher than that of South Africa.
That said, muggings are still common, especially amongst tourists and particularly in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Given the high level of rape and theft in South Africa, I wouldn’t advise hitchhiking (which is something I usually love to do!).
Additionally, one shouldn’t walk around alone at night, be flashy, or leave things showing in the car, but much of that is true around the world.
For more safety tips, here’s a complete guide to staying safe in South Africa.
There are numerous ways to get around South Africa, and after testing several methods, I think the best is a car rental. Nothing else offers the flexibility, convenience, and reasonable price tag. If a car rental isn’t your thing and you’re solo, I’d consider the Baz Bus.
That said, regardless of which of the above transport methods you choose, South Africa is easy and relatively affordable to travel around, whether you’re solo, in a group, or a duo.
Kristin Addis is a solo female travel expert who inspires women to travel the world in an authentic and adventurous way. A former investment banker who sold everything and left California in 2012, Kristin has solo traveled the world for over eight years, covering every continent (except for Antarctica, but it’s on her list). You can find more of her work at Be My Travel Muse or on Instagram and Facebook.
Book Your Trip to South Africa: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on South Africa?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to South Africa for even more planning tips!
Photo credit: 2,3 – Bob Adams, 5 – CC-BY-SA-2.5
Kicy
I never considered renting a car in South Africa, not because of safety, but I assumed it would be very expensive. I was planning on using the Baz Bus but not I will reconsider. The is remarkably cheap for 2 weeks and gives you so much freedom!
One question, do you need a South African driver’s license to rent a car?
Kristin Addis
Nope you just need a license in English and if not then an international license.
Ava
@Kicy, we rented a car for our 2 week trip and found it to be the most affordable option while also allowing us flexibility to adapt our journey as we desired. We have US drivers license and they were accepted without problem from the rental place. Do keep in mind you will be driving on the other side of the road and the more affordable cars are manual transmission.
Anthony
South Africa is a fantastic place to visit – I’ve been there 5 times and have never had a problem there. By far, has the best infrastructure in Africa and relatively easy to get around.
tania donald
Kristin,
thank you so much for writing this I’m going to use it in my ESL lesson (I’m a South African currently teaching English in Brazil) . It is so refreshing to read positive comments about SA for a change, It is a beautiful country (albeit it’s political turmoil) and there are some really great things/places to see. Your comments about safety and being vigilant wherever you are in the world are echoed by myself, if only people would use their intelligence when it comes to the media hype, it is often just that – media hype and 99% of incidents happen because people are oblivious to their surroundings. Thank you so much for expressing/sharing your worldly opinion.
Kristin Addis
Thanks for the kind words, Tania! Such a fabulous country to travel through and I didn’t have any incidents.
James Childre
Any advice for family travels in SA? My family and I are in a round the world, open-ended trip and will be in Africa after our wandering in Europe is complete in a few months. I have 3 daughters and wish to keep them safe. As a female traveler is there any advice you can give? You can see our current adventures at tribeof5.com.
Kristin Addis
I’d take the same precautions and would still suggest renting a car. I met plenty of people traveling with families and babies there. No wildly different concerns safety-wise.
Bob Merrick
South Africa has been on my radar lately as I have been hearing a lot of good things about traveling there. I would never have thought about car travel, but it sounds like the best way to go. I always enjoyed trains, so I might still look into it even though they may have become neglected as you suggested.
Ross Clarke
I’m from South Africa I’ve driven hundreds of thousand kilometres in most of the cities and I am alive and well. However we do have major political and criminal problems. These problems however should not deter anyone from visiting such a beautiful country. As long as you are vigilant and safe (as you should always be) then you will be fine.
Just keep in mind the strict new travel laws for parents coming June 1 2015.
John Williams
Always wanted to see South Africa and really like the sound of the Blue Train.
Thanks for an interesting article.
Have booked marked this blog
Samantha
Thank you for this helpful information. I went as a single female traveler to Cape Town for New Year’s and I agree that I felt just as safe there as I do in some big American cities like Chicago. The next time I go, I want to see more of the country, so this information is useful.
Noelle Brah
Great advice. I did a 10 day trip of South Africa and we used a car to see six different cities (and some quicker stops in between).
I would advise against hitchhiking as well, and definitely don’t walk around at night. In general, being with another person is always safer there.
Cape Town is a truly amazing city though and one of my favorites now.
Grace Blake
I really love this article! I am an Australian currently living in Botswana. I’ve been to South Africa a few times but I haven’t travelled as extensively as I’d like to there. It’s great to hear in-depth information about alternative travel routes and options compared to the usual over landing tours. Keep up the great work and thanks!
Darren
Hi, hope this finds you well,
I have enjoyed reading the Posts and looking at going to SA in July 2017.
Can you give me an idea of SA’s affordability for travellers – i.e accommodation, food, game park accommodation costs, internal flights, fuel and general cost of living comparisons etc (if possible) to the Australian dollar.
Many Thanks
Monika
It is absolutely awesome to read about your own country from a traveler’s perspective. Thank you! 🙂 This is a very informative piece. There is so much to see and so much more to experience in South Africa. From beaches to the bush, from museums to whale watching, from the Cradle of Mankind to hot air ballooning in the North West Province, from biking tours to hiking tours – this is definitely a bucket list destination.