How easy will it be to get around South Africa?
Somewhere between very and not at all depending on your research and planning. South Africa's transport infrastructure is among the best in Africa. The government has invested billions of rand into upgrading the system. But standards are still variable. On match days and non-match days, the country's roads, railways and airports will be working at the top of their capacity. Geography is another factor. South Africa is vast. Johannesburg is 909 miles (1473km) from Cape Town and Cape Town is 951 miles (1532km) from Durban. To put those distances into perspective, it's a mere 784 miles (1263km) from London to Madrid and 890 miles (1431km) from London to Rome. So what are your options?
Trains
Not for people in a hurry. While it's possible to train it between the host cities
and within some of the host cities, the sheer size of South Africa makes journey
times prohibitive. The trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town, for example, takes around
27 hours.
Services are none too regular and only two of the stadiums are linked to the rail
network. What's more, conditions can be on the earthy side and you might not feel
100% safe.
That said, phase one of Johannesburg's multi-billion rand Gautrain link is scheduled
to go live between OR Tambo Airport, Sandton and Midrand in time for the tournament.
Watch this space!
Planes
OK for getting between the host cities. Especially if plans for all-night shuttles take off. But the fares haven't been set yet and you've still got to get from the airport to your accommodation or the stadium.
Automobiles
Private cars
Assuming the supply of rental vehicles doesn't dry up, travelling by car is relatively straightforward - but not cheap. Even if you can find a rental car, navigating unfamiliar and roads is never easy. Especially after dark when you've had a drink or two. As for match day parking, think Oxford Street on Christmas Eve.
Taxis
Variable.
Taking a taxi in anywhere involves some degree of risk. They aren't always roadworthy,
the drivers aren't always licensed or insured - and they're usually strangers.
When they're good, South African taxis are among the best you'll find. When they're
bad, they're four-wheeled coffins.
But the comparison is academic because there's a good chance that there simply won't
be enough taxis to go round.
Buses
An interesting one. Some host cities have invested in whole new bus fleets for the
World Cup and the authorities nationwide are working hard to upgrade bus routes
and facilities. But if you find first world bus travel an endurance test, you're
unlikely to enjoy South Africa bus travel.
Coaches could be an option for getting between the cities - provided you've got
the time, patience and plenty of reading material. Think National Express and triple
the fun.
Where and when are the matches taking place?
| Location | Date | Time | Stage | Match |
| Cape Town | 11 June | 20:30 | Group A | Uruguay vs France |
| Johannesburg | 11 June | 16:00 | Group A | South Africa vs Mexico |
| Johannesburg | 12 June | 16:00 | Group B | Argentina vs Nigeria |
| Rustenburg | 12 June | 20:30 | Group C | England vs USA |
| Port Elizabeth | 12 June | 13:30 | Group B | Korea Republic vs Greece |
| Durban | 13 June | 20:30 | Group D | Germany vs Australia |
| Pretoria | 13 June | 16:00 | Group D | Serbia vs Ghana |
| Cape Town | 14 June | 20:30 | Group F | Italy vs Paraguay |
| Johannesburg | 14 June | 13:30 | Group E | Netherlands vs Denmark |
| Johannesburg | 15 June | 20:30 | Group G | Brazil vs Korea DPR |
| Rustenburg | 15 June | 13:30 | Group F | New Zealand vs Slovakia |
| Port Elizabeth | 15 June | 16:00 | Group G | Cote d'Ivoire vs Portugal |
| Durban | 16 June | 16:00 | Group H | Spain vs Switzerland |
| Pretoria | 16 June | 20:30 | Group A | South Africa vs Uruguay |
| Johannesburg | 17 June | 13:30 | Group B | Argentina vs Korea Republic |
| Cape Town | 18 June | 20:30 | Group C | England vs Algeria |
| Johannesburg | 18 June | 16:00 | Group C | Slovenia vs USA |
| Port Elizabeth | 18 June | 13:30 | Group D | Germany vs Serbia |
| Durban | 19 June | 13:30 | Group E | Netherlands vs Japan |
| Rustenburg | 19 June | 16:00 | Group D | Ghana vs Australia |
| Pretoria | 19 June | 20:30 | Group E | Cameroon vs Denmark |
| Johannesburg | 20 June | 20:30 | Group G | Brazil vs Cote d'Ivoire |
| Cape Town | 21 June | 13:30 | Group G | Portugal vs Korea DPR |
| Johannesburg | 21 June | 20:30 | Group H | Spain vs Honduras |
| Port Elizabeth | 21 June | 16:00 | Group H | Chile vs Switzerland |
| Durban | 22 June | 20:30 | Group B | Nigeria vs Korea Republic |
| Rustenburg | 22 June | 16:00 | Group A | Mexico vs Uruguay |
| Johannesburg | 23 June | 20:30 | Group D | Ghana vs Germany |
| Pretoria | 23 June | 16:00 | Group C | USA vs Algeria |
| Port Elizabeth | 23 June | 16:00 | Group C | Slovenia vs England |
| Cape Town | 24 June | 20:30 | Group E | Cameroon vs Netherlands |
| Johannesburg | 24 June | 16:00 | Group F | Slovakia vs Italy |
| Rustenburg | 24 June | 20:30 | Group E | Denmark vs Japan |
| Durban | 25 June | 16:00 | Group G | Portugal vs Brazil |
| Pretoria | 25 June | 20:30 | Group H | Chile vs Spain |
| Rustenburg | 26 June | 20:30 | Round of 16 | 1C vs 2D |
| Port Elizabeth | 26 June | 16:00 | Round of 16 | 1A vs 2B |
| Johannesburg | 27 June | 20:30 | Round of 16 | 1B vs 2A |
| Durban | 28 June | 16:00 | Round of 16 | 1E vs 2F |
| Johannesburg | 28 June | 20:30 | Round of 16 | 1G vs 2H |
| Cape Town | 29 June | 20:30 | Round of 16 | 1H vs 2G |
| Pretoria | 29 June | 16:00 | Round of 16 | 1F vs 2E |
| Johannesburg | 02 July | 20:30 | Quarter-finals | 1 vs 3 |
| Port Elizabeth | 02 July | 16:00 | Quarter-finals | 5 vs 7 |
| Cape Town | 03 July | 16:00 | Quarter-finals | 2 vs 4 |
| Johannesburg | 03 July | 20:30 | Quarter-finals | 6 vs 8 |
| Cape Town | 06 July | 20:30 | Semi-finals | A vs C |
| Durban | 07 July | 20:30 | Semi-finals | B vs D |
| Port Elizabeth | 10 July | 20:30 | Match for third place | L1 vs L2 |
| Johannesburg | 11 July | 20:30 | Final | W1 vs W2 |
Distance and cost comparison chart
| Cape Town | Durban | Johannesburg | Port Elizabeth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distances | ||||
| Cape Town | - | 1,532km | 1,473km | 765km |
| Durban | 1,532km | - | 566km | 926km |
| Johannesburg | 1,473km | 566km | - | 1,048km |
| Port Elizabeth | 765km | 926km | 1,048km | - |
| Transport costs | ||||
| Standard rail ticket to Johannesburg | No service | No service | No service | No service |
| Premier rail ticket to Johannesburg | R1,920 | No service | No service | No service |
| Blue Train ticket to Pretoria | R13,595 | No service | No service | No service |
| Rovos Rail ticket to Pretoria | R11,000 | No service | No service | No service |
| Air fare to Johannesburg | R3,692 | R2,872 | - | R3,692 |
| Commuter taxi per journey | 4 - 40 people | 4 - 40 people | 4 - 40 people | 4 - 40 people |
| Metered taxi per kilometer | R10 | R5 | R9 | R9 |
| Car hire | Sold out | Sold out | Sold out | Sold out |
| Food/Drink/Other | ||||
| Slap-up main meal | R125 | R125 | R125 | - |
| Gastropub main meal | R50 | R50 | R75 | R50 |
| Greasy spoon main meal | R20 | R20 | R25 | R20 |
| Take away curry | R70 | R60 | R75 | R70 |
| Beer | R15 - R20 | R15 - R20 | R15 - R20 | R15 - R20 |
| Orange juice | R8 - R15 | R8 - R15 | R8 - R15 | R8 - R15 |
| Internet cafe per hour | R8 - R20 | R6 - R20 | R8 - R20 | R6 - R15 |
Note: Cost and service comparison details are based on the results of our research
from various sources in March 2010. The prices quoted are guidelines and are likely
to change during the World Cup period.
Currency conversions at 18 March 2010: 1 GBP = 11.184 ZAR; 1 USD = 7.316 ZAR (www.xe.com)
- How easy will it be to get around South Africa?
- Where and when are the matches taking place?
- Distance and cost comparison chart
So what's the smartest way to get around?
Go-Concierge's pristine Toyota Quantums are the safest and most secure way to get into and around your host city on match days and non-match days.
Our drivers and concierges know the difference between a bar and a shebeen and they
know how to get you home - wherever the party starts and whenever it finishes.
And as proud South Africans, they're on hand to show you the attractions that make
our country such a brilliant travel destination.
We're based in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. But we're also
looking at plans to take in matches in other centres.
Check out the packages we're offering. Once you've done
a cost-benefit comparison with the other options on offer, we're sure you'll agree
that our service is the only way to go.