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Intercity Land Transport in South Africa

Overview

The South African Department of Transport (DoT) is confident that the travel requirements of the many thousands of international visitors, as well as South African spectators, will be met with all persons being able to move efficiently and safely throughout the country to matches during the full period of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM.

Whilst tour groups will be cared for through their package arrangements, independent traveller(s) can be assured that they will be able to arrange their transport in South Africa by either public transport or hired vehicles.

Extended inter-city and the host city public transport services during the 2010 FIFA World CupTM will ensure connections between all host cities and between key locations within host cities allowing visitors to move around safely, even after late evening matches, on a limited budget.

Arriving in South Africa

South Africa has three international airports - Johannesburg (ORTIA), Cape Town (CTIA) and Durban (King Shaka International Airport). For onwards travel to other cities in South Africa, these airports all have large domestic air terminals with frequent flights between the main centres. Upon leaving the airports there are various travel options available, including public transport shuttle services to transport hubs in the city centres, pre-booked charter shuttles, metered taxis and car rental. All airports will have 2010 FIFA World CupTM transport information kiosks to assist visitors with transport related queries and will have the necessary transport maps, etc.

Travelling Between Host Cities

Teams will play their matches in different venues throughout South Africa. Therefore, many supporters will need to travel extensively across the country. Tour groups and charter bookings will have their own travel arrangements specific to the travel package booked.  Those who are making their own arrangements to follow their teams, will have a choice of travelling between cities by air, intercity rail or coach or hired vehicles, described further below.

Domestic Air Services

Given the long distances between the major cities of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth, air travel is the recommended means of travel, and frequent flights link these host cities.  It is advisable that travel bookings be made as early as possible.  At this stage air operators may have not scheduled flights out of cities late at night after matches, but flight schedule updates will be made soon.

Surface Inter-City Public Transport

For the smaller host cities of Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Polokwane and Rustenburg, scheduled inter-city road or rail services or hired vehicles are the recommended means of travelling. South Africa is currently boosting these inter-city services by operating a dedicated World Cup inter-city bus fleet to ensure that spectator travel demand is accommodated.  Vehicle hire companies have also increased their fleet sizes specifically for the event, and maps of recommended routes to travel will be provided.

Travel within Host Cities

Each of the Host Cities is finalising and implementing its own local transport plans for the event. The following services are being provided in most host cities:

  • Airport to City Centre Bus Service, providing a link to the city centres, with onward travel by public transport (rail and bus) and metered taxi
  • Park-and-Ride-Services to the stadium, enabling spectators to park remotely and take a special bus or rail service to access the stadium on match days
  • Extended and special Bus Services, focussing on serving the stadium, core city areas, and accommodation nodes
  • Extended Rail Services, providing an intensified operation and late night services including additional security measures
  • In all cities there are Shuttle & Charter Transport Operators (pre-booked service), Metered Taxis Fleets and Vehicle Rental Fleet. Also see section below

Connection between your Accommodation and Host City Public Transport

Linking to the public transport services to get around the city from the many hotels, guest houses, B&B's is a factor that fans should consider carefully.  Many establishments will arrange a shuttle from the airport on your behalf, or alternatively a metered taxi.  Likewise to access the city centres, stadiums and fan parks, your accommodation provider can usually help with travel to the closest Park and Ride, priority rail station etc.  When booking accommodation, ask whether they can assist you with shuttles/metered taxi bookings etc.  If you need to arrange these services yourself, each host city will be providing information on operators through their web-sites.

With this issue solved, you can be confident of being able to easily move around in cities without the need to hire your own vehicle.

Access Restrictions around Stadiums

Approaching the stadium by public transport shuttles and by pedestrian access will be actively promoted, whilst arriving by private vehicles will be heavily restricted. Each stadium has a vehicle-free, pedestrian-only zone with the closest private vehicle parking areas normally located at least 2-3 km from the stadium. During the 2010 FIFA World CupTM you can only access the stadium by private vehicle through the Park and Ride facility, or the designated Park and Walk sites, unless you have a parking pass issued with your hospitality match ticket. Unless you are planning to go to the stadium with a ticket for the match, try to avoid the stadium roads. The stadium guides on this website will help you orientate and navigate around the precincts.

Information Provision

Further information for travel planning is being prepared by the Department of Transport who are extensively updating this website. More comprehensive information and easy view maps on the host city and inter-city travel will be available on this website, and from this site will provide links to all the host city websites, airlines and inter-city services, how to access stadiums, and a range of FAQ's. As details are finalised, this information will be posted.

In addition, each host city will prepare its own transport information brochure for spectators which will be distributed at airports, tourism offices, main hotels, and key facilities. Across the cities there will be common signage to all main facilities. Trained transport volunteers will also be on hand to guide spectators towards the appropriate parking locations, to assist in accessing the stadium area and provide directions inside the individual venues.

Rail Operators


Shosoloza Meyl

Premier Classe

Blue Train

Metro Rail