GENERAL INFORMATION
ACCESSIBILITY ( Land / Sea / Air )
Cape Town is easily accessed by Air, Sea, Road and Rail.
AIR
Cape Town International Airport enjoys the recently awarded status of "Best Small Airport" and is located beside our Domestic Airport, approximately 25 km from Cape Town.
SA Airways and several other local & international airlines fly to South Africa's four international airports:
International: 
Air Mauritius
Malaysia Airlines / Emirates
* NB These details are subject to change
SEA
We enjoy being host to some of the most glamorous luxury liners in the world, Cape Town being situated on a working Harbour bustling with fishing vessels, tugboats and cruisers. Our Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is the top destination in South Africa and is resplendent with two of the world's Top Ten hotels as well as many very desirable accommodations, both budget & luxury. The V&A, as it is affectionately called, is a shopper's dream come true, set in one of the most dramatic backdrops the world has to offer with the majestic and distinctive presence of Table Mountain, and beautifully laid out with over 400 shops and many fine restaurants, catering to every taste.
RAIL
Our local rail network operates from Cape Town city centre as far as Simonstown on the Southern Peninsula, and serves the entire Western Cape.
Famed for luxurious travel are the BLUE TRAIN, our national pride and flagship in rail touring and ROVOS RAIL – reputed to be the most luxurious railway in the world. Both run from Cape Town north to Pretoria, via Garden Route and other destinations. Rovos Rail has its own private station at Capital Park, Pretoria and has a collage of luxury steam train journeys on offer. From Pretoria, air road or rail links may be made to Nelspruit for Kruger National Park or any of the private game lodges, as well as Victoria Falls and Mozambique.
There are also private hire options for steam trains, which also do short steam excursions.
ROAD
An excellent network of roads link all major points in the country, and in our Cape Region roads are generally excellent, with frequent quick and efficient luxury intercity coaches. Tour operators travel to all major destinations as well as private tours available to anywhere within the Western Cape and beyond. Self drive cars are also an option, and are available for hire at all airports, cities and major hotels. South Africans drive on the left side of the road.
Speed limits, unless otherwise indicated, are 120km/h on open freeways, 80km/h on urban freeways and 60km/h in built up areas.
Foreign Tourists require an international driver's license, or one from their country of origin that has been certified by their consulate.
It is against the law to make use of cellphones while driving and wearing of seat belts is compulsory for both driver and passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05mg per 100ml. Drinking and driving is not permitted.
Travelling by taxi expect to pay about R8 – R10 per kilometre.
TIME ZONE: GMT +2 Hours
GOVERNMENT
South Africa is a stable democracy with a reputedly cutting edge constitution and the world’s most comprehensive human charter.
CURRENCY & BANKING
The unit of currency is the Rand, divided into 100 cents. Notes come in R10, R20, R50, R100 & R200 denominations and there are coins for R1, R2, R5, as well as 1c 2c 5c 10c 20c 50c. Foreign Exchange services are widely available and major credit cards are accepted countrywide. Most banks open at 9am and close at 3.30pm. Saturday closed at 11:30am. Major centres at 1:00pm
SHOPPING
Cape Town is a Shopper's dream – Antiques to Fine Art, Flea Markets, street markets, Craft markets and curios to ultra sophisticated shopping malls, combining the very best of everything! Fashion, Jewelery, Decor, Leather Goods, Wine.
* VAT refundable to visitors.
* Conditions Apply.
VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT)
Currently at 14%, VAT is included in the price of nearly all goods and services, meals and accommodations. Goods consigned or delivered overseas are exempt at point of sale. A VAT refund is payable on presentation of your receipts for purchases over R250 at point of exit or at the Waterfront.
ENTRY REGULATIONS
Travelers are advised to check with their nearest Embassy or High Commission about entry requirements prior to travel.
HEALTH REGULATIONS
South Africa requires a Yellow Fever Inoculation certificate for visitors arriving from infected areas. There are no other health requirements. Malaria is present in parts of the country.
TRANSPORT & DRIVING
South Africans drive on the left side of the road and enjoy a comprehensive, well maintained road network.
SMOKING
Recently, smoking has been banned in public places in South Africa.
DRINKING WATER
Our tap water is perfectly safe to drink and very palatable. Bottled water and several mineral waters are easily available.
LANGUAGE
There are eleven official languages but English is the
business language and is spoken throughout the country
TOURISM GRADING COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) runs an official star grading scheme for the country’s hospitality industry. The programme is still in the process of being implemented, some quality establishments have not yet been graded or registered.
The TGCSA grades establishments with between one and five stars in one of the following categories:
GUIDELINES TO STAR RATINGS
* Fair to good (modest but acceptable) quality in overall standard of
furnishings, service and guest care.
Clean, comfortable and functional accommodation.
** Good quality in the overall standard of furnishings, Service and guest care
*** Very good quality in overall standard of furnishings, Service and guest care.
**** Superior (excellent) comfort and quality with a high Standard of furnishings,
service and Guest care
**** Exceptional quality and luxurious accommodation (Matching best
international standards). Highest standard of furnishings, flawless service
and Meticulous guest care.
