South Africa travel Forum

Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Location: The airport is situated 13 miles (20km) east of Cape Town.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)21 937 1200.
Getting to the city: Door-to-door minibus services are available for the journey to the city, taking approximately half an hour costing US$15 (Tel: 021-713-2468). Many hotels and operate courtesy buses and a 24 hour backpacker bus is available hourly to many hostels for US$15 and US$17 after 5pm. Taxis are available in the arrivals parking lot but are expensive costing around US$20 to the city centre. A shared taxi, also called a Rikki, can be reserved and is slightly cheaper than a taxi (Tel: 0861 745 547). Car rentals can be made from the arrivals terminal or before hand at SouthAfriCar.
Car rental: Car rental companies represented at the airport include Hertz, Avis, National Alamo, Budget, Europcar and Tempest.
Airport Taxis: A taxi to from Cape Town international Airport to the centre of Cape Town takes approximately 20 minutes and the cost may vary, depending on the time of day and number of passengers between R150 to R220 with fares up to 50% more at night. Only Touch Down Taxis, the authorised airport taxi company, is allowed to operate from the airport. You can call them on: +27 (0)21 919 4659 to reserve ahead. There are also many private taxis drivers and some hotels operate courtesy shuttles.
Facilities: ATMs, bars, restaurants and currency exchange facilities are available throughout the airport. There are several shops, including duty-free in the International Departures' section. A VAT refund service is available by the International check in desk. Hotels reservations and tourist information are available in the International Terminal. There is a Vodacom shop in International Arrivals where visitors can buy local SIM cards for their mobile phones.
Parking: There is short and long-term parking in a multilevel parking garage, connected to the terminal. Fees range from ZAR 16 for the first hour to ZAR 275 for five days in the long-term parking area. There is also a special pick-up area that offers 15 minutes' free parking.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.airports.co.za
See full guide to Cape Town Airport

O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) (JNB)

Location: The airport is 14 miles (22km) east of Johannesburg.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)11 921 6262.
Getting to the city: The recently-constructed Gautrain provides fast and easy access to the Johannesburg city centre from the airport, with regular express trains to Sandton. An airport bus departs regularly to the city centre. Authorised shuttle buses and taxis are available; these display the ACSA logo on their vehicles. Hotel shuttle buses depart every 15 minutes from the bus terminal behind the Airport Sun International hotel. A reputable shuttle company is Magic Bus which is located on the ground floor of the domestic parkade building (Tel: +27 (0)11 394 6902).
Car rental: Car rental companies represented at the airport include Sizwe, Avis, Budget, Tempest, Europcar and Khaya.
Airport Taxis: A metered taxi will take about 30 to 40 minutes over 14 miles (22km) from the O. R. Tambo International Airport to the city centre. Taxi await opposite the international arrivals terminal (Terminal A). Only official metered taxis with a yellow taxi light on top should be taken as some others can be dangerous. Prices should range between US$30 to US$40.
Facilities: Facilties at the airport include bureaux de change, banks, a post office, shops, restaurants and bars, internet access, mobile phone rental, viewing decks, a medical clinic and a prayer room.
Parking: Fifteen minutes of free parking is available for those picking up passengers. Short-term parking charges at OR Tambo Airport range from ZAR 15 per hour or ZAR 20 for two hours in Parkade 1 to ZAR 30 for half an hour or ZAR 60 for two hours in the basement of Parkade 2. Upper level parking in Parkade 2 costs ZAR 5 per hour. Long-term parking is available in shaded lots and costs either ZAR 65 or ZAR 80 per day. Official long-term parking lots cost just ZAR 40 per day and connected to the airport via shuttle buses.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.airports.co.za
See full guide to Johannesburg Airport

Durban King Shaka International Airport (DUR)

Location: The airport is 22 miles (35km) north of Durban.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)86 727 7888.
Getting to the city: The airport can be accessed by car via the N2 from Durban. A rail link is expected to be completed by 2011.
Car rental: Numerous car rental companies represented at the airport include Avis, Khaya, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and National.
Airport Taxis: Taxis are available from outside the departures terminal and cost about R400 to the city centre, approximately an hour away. The price is per journey not per passenger. Taxi services include Lighthouse Cabs (083 440 8650), Mgazi Tours (031 462 1201) and Akkers Shuttles (031 274 1824).
Facilities: The newly built airport terminal has a modern and substantial range of facilities. These include ATMS, banks, lounges, a post office, restaurants and bars, and 52 retail outlets. Disabled facilities are excellent; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: Plentiful parking is available. Parking is charges at ZAR 6 for the first half hour, up to a daily limit of ZAR 160. Shaded parking is cheaper for the long-term, starting at ZAR 15 for two hours up to ZAR 75 per day.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.acsa.co.za
See full guide to Durban International Airport

Kimberley Airport (KIM)

Location: The airport is situated five miles (8km) south of Kimberley.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)53 851 1241.
Getting to the city: There is no bus service between the airport and the city, but a taxi service is available on request and car hire agencies are available at the airport.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and National Alamo.
Facilities: Facilities include a pub in the arrivals terminal, public phones and an ATM.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.airports.co.za
See full guide to Kimberley Airport
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East London Airport (ELS)

Location: The airport is located six miles (9km) west of the city centre.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)43 706 0304.
Getting to the city: Gateway Shuttle (tel: 043 743 139) and Redshuttle Bus Services leave from in front of the arrivals terminal. Bookings should be made in advance. Their schedule follows flight schedules.
Car rental: Rental companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Tempest.
Facilities: The airport has an ATM in the departures hall and information desk in the arrivals hall. A coffee shop, restaurant and bookshop are also available in the terminal building.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.airports.co.za
See full guide to East London Airport
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Bloemfontein Airport (BFN)

Location: The airport is located six miles (10km) from the city centre.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)51 407 2200.
Getting to the city: Taxis and shuttles, which should be booked in advance, are available just outside the terminal building; schedules match the arrival of flights. Contact the Bloemfontein Airport helpdesk for more information.
Car rental: Car rental companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, National Alamo and Tempest. All car rental stands are located in the terminal building.
Facilities: The airport has a mobile phone rental shop, coffee bar, bookshop, restaurant and information desk. A VIP lounge and business lounge, conference room and ATM machine are also available.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.airports.co.za
See full guide to Bloemfontein Airport
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Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ)

Location: The airport is situated about two miles (3km) south of PE.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)41 507 7319.
Getting to the city: Taxis provide the only transport to the city centre.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar and National.
Facilities: Facilities include several shops as well as restaurants, cafes and pubs, and conference facilities. An ATM is available for cash withdrawal.
Parking: Short- and long-term parking is available within easy walking distance from the terminal. The drop-and-go and pick-up zones directly outside the terminal are free.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.airports.co.za
See full guide to Port Elizabeth Airport
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George Airport (GRJ)

Location: The airport is situated six miles (10km) from George.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)44 876 9310.
Getting to the city: Taxis are the only form of transport between the city and the airport.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz and Europcar.
Facilities: Facilities include foreign exchange, an ATM, conference facilities, cafes, and a few snack shops. Cellphones are also available for rent.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.airports.co.za
See full guide to George Airport
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Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP)

Location: The airport is situated 16 miles (25km) from Nelspruit at White River.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)13 753 7500.
Getting to the city: Taxis are available.
Car rental: A number of car rental companies are located at the airport including Avis, Hertz, National/Alamo, Europcar and Budget.
Facilities: Facilities include an ATM and currency exchange facilities, a restaurant, café and curio shops.
Parking: Short and long-term parking is available.
Departure Tax: None.
Website: www.kmiairport.co.za
See full guide to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport
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Eastgate Airport (HDS)

Location: The airport is situated five miles (8km) from Hoedspruit and is situated within the Hoedspruit Air Force Base Nature Reserve.
Time: GMT +2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)15 793 3681.
Car rental: Avis has a rental office on site.
Facilities: Foreign exchange is available, and there is a small restaurant and curio shop.
Departure Tax: R110.
Website: www.eastgateairport.co.za
See full guide to Hoedspruit Airport
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Richards Bay Airport (RCB)

Location: Richards Bay Airport is located four miles (7 km) north west of Richards Bay.
Time: GMT + 2.
Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)35 789 9630.
Getting to the city: Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall.
Car rental: Car rental companies available are Sixt, Drive South Africa, Hertz, National, RIS Vehicle Hire, Avis, Budget, Afropulse, Europcar and Tempest.
Facilities: The Runway Restaurant and Bar provides refreshment for travellers.
Parking: Short term parking is available.
Departure Tax: None.
See full guide to Richards Bay Airport
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