South Africa Transportation Options
The 2010 world cup will be hosted in South Africa and therefore many people will be visiting the country for the first time. The country has three major airports as well as other smaller airports all operated by acsa, which controls 98% of South Africa’s commercial air traffic. For local and international travelers there are several ways to access the airport depending on your time schedule and budget.
Locals can drive to the airport and back. There are large parking lots where you can park your car and collect it when you get back. However this method has disadvantages such as the cost of parking which can be high when going for long trips, when getting back from a long trip you are usually too tired to drive and the long term parking lots are located further therefore you have to take a shuttle bus to the terminal and back.
Another option is to use the shuttle service provide by most the major hotels located near the airport. These services operated several times a day between the airport and the hotel. Some hotels provide the service for free; others have a minor charge for using the service. The advantage of using the shuttle service is the fact it brings you right where you need to be. The disadvantage is that they normally operate on set schedules so you’ll have to plan according to their schedule.
For visitors who stay at major hotels, there are shuttle services operated by these hotels that run several times a day. Usually this service is free and it has the added advantage of taking you right to your destination. However, this method runs on a schedule therefore you have to plan your travel as per their schedule. You can also opt for car hire companies especially while on holiday to improve your mobility. There are many recognized rental companies such as avis, europcar and hertz among others.
Shuttle services are also available for visitors on organized tours. Depending on the group size, you will have the tour guide or the shuttle bus driver waiting for you at the airport. There are shuttle services to all major cities, which can be booked online, or on arrival. The major advantage of shuttle services is the affordability. However, you have to wait for sometime or until the shuttle has filled up before you can be taken to your destination. Shuttles also do not take you directly to your destination since every passenger has to be dropped off at a different address Finally, for those traveling to a destination close to the airport you can take metered taxis.
These reduce any chance of delay associated with shuttle buses but the cost is much higher especially for longer distances. By 2010 there will be a quatrain running from Pretoria to Johannesburg and to the airports. This will further bring passengers close to their destinations.
Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for a leading South African Flight Comparison portal, to book a flight, simply visit our website at: http://www.saflights.co.za
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