Wondering how much would it cost to travel around South Africa? Are you completely clueless about which mode of transportation to take to visit every beautiful corner of the country?
South Africa is one of the most loved tourist destinations. Its picturesque natural landscapes, culture, and people attract tourists from every corner of the world. According to the statistics, over the last decade, around 16.44 million tourists from the U.S visited South Africa. Though it’s a common belief that Americans spend on unhealthy things but making a trip to such an exotic country is not a wise investment.
So, for those who are fascinated by the idea of traveling around South Africa but are worried about the budget, here is a detailed blog to choose the right mode of transportation. Read on!
- By Baz Bus
- By Public Buses
- By Air
- By Minivans
- By Hitchhiking
- By Renting a Car
By Baz Bus
Baz Bus is a local transportation agency that offers local traveling. The bus has its own designated areas with fixed rates per traveler. It is one of the most popular modes to travel around South Africa. All you have to do is to book your tickets and hop in. There are a 7-day plan and a 14-day package. The tours include a Safari tour and a multi-day plan in which the bus will take you to the most amazing places.
The total 7-day cost is around 3,300 ZAR ($235 USD) which means in only $33 per day you get to have a journey full of fun. The 14-day plan will cost you around 5,300 ZAR ($375 USD) and what’s more surprising is that they even offer tickets for a 21-day plan which cost around 6,600 ZAR ($470 USD).
Public Buses
If you are one of those who would be inclined to see the life of South Africa as closely as possible, you must get on the Public bus. Your journey will become much more fascinating as you will get to witness the everyday routine and life of the people living there might even get a chance to make new relationships. So, the fare of their local busses is around $3–$30 USD depending on how far you want to go. Just like every other country, their busses have their own specific routes and you have to get on the one which reaches your desired destination. The busses are comfortable and spacious with fully maintained seats.
By Air
It’s not too costly to fly around South Africa. You can buy tickets to their local Airlines Mango and Kulula that serve all the major tourist destinations within the country. You can book the tickets online for just 870 ZAR ($50 USD).
Booking hotels is expensive but traveling in South Africa is very budget-friendly. You can even book a last-minute flight ticket. However, if the date or time is nearer the ticket price might go up. So, be more calculative about that.
Minivans
Unless you are not claustrophobic you would find getting on a Minivan in South Africa so much cheap. Much like the Public busses there, the rates are between $1-20 USD depending on your route. The vans are small enough to occupy 6-8 people at maximum but are in pretty good condition. You can even find many other tourists along with the locals. The longest journey you can have in these vans is of 6 hours. So, the minivans are preferably to book for shorter traveling only.
Hitchhiking
Ever jumped in a stranger’s car? Have you ever experienced the fear of the unknown?
Hitchhiking is a bit risky as you do not know who the person is or what his intentions are but can be a bit affordable. Many people tend to hitchhike when traveling from Namibia to South Africa; however, it’s not allowed in Central Africa due to security reasons.
One thing you must remember not to take out your thumb to request a car as it’s considered rude, you must lift your hand up as the car approaches and politely request to join in. Though it’s a popular practice one must stay conscious before making such a move.
By Car
Traveling by road is so much fun if you rent a car in South Africa. The steering stays in your control. You can park it wherever you want and plan your trip on your terms. As you know that smaller car gives good mileage. You will get a small car for a day at $35-50 USD. And as for fuel consumption is concerned it will not be more than 13 ZAR (.75 USD) per liter.
Wrap Up
Make your trip an unforgettable one by planning everything down beforehand. Note down the places you would like to visit and keep a watch on every other necessity as well.
