The national airline is South African Airways (SAA) (www.flysaa.com). There are frequent direct and indirect flights by numerous major airlines from destinations throughout Europe and North America.

From London to Cape Town is 12 hours and to Johannesburg is 11 hours. From New York to Johannesburg is 17.5 hours.

Cape Town (CPT) (Cape Town International) is 22km (16 miles) east of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Round-the-clock shuttle buses meet incoming flights. Courtesy buses are operated by some hotels. Authorised airport taxis are operated by Touch Down Taxis, with a surcharge after 2300. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, postal services, tourist information desk, restaurants/bars, wi-fi (subscription / credit card), medical clinic and conference facilities.

Durban (DUR) (Durban International) is 18km (11 miles) southwest of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Airport shuttle buses and taxis are available to the city. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, postal services, tourist information desk, restaurants/bars and wi-fi (subscription / credit card).

Johannesburg (JNB) (OR Tambo International) is 22km (14 miles) east of the city (journey time - 35 minutes). To/from the airport: Shuttle bus services and taxis to Pretoria and Johannesburg are available. Courtesy coaches are operated by major hotels within the vicinity of the airport. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, postal services, tourist information desk, restaurants/bars, wi-fi (subscription / credit card), medical clinic and conference facilities.

Port Elizabeth (PLZ) (Port Elizabeth International) is 5km (3 miles) west of the Capital Business District (journey time - 15 minutes). To/from the airport: There is an airport shuttle bus to the main international hotels in Port Elizabeth upon request. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, ATMs, post box, information desk, restaurants/bars and conference facilities.

For more information regarding the airports, contact Airports Company South Africa (www.acsa.co.za).

All taxes are included in the price of an air ticket.

Main ports: Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. For more information regarding the ports, contact Transnet National Ports Authority (www.transnetnationalportsauthority.net).

Cruises are offered by various companies between South Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

There are main routes into South Africa from Botswana (via Ramatlabama), Lesotho, Mozambique (via Komatipoort), Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (via Beitbridge). Services to and from the capital cities of neighbouring countries are provided by the major bus companies, Greyhound (tel: 083 915 9000; www.greyhound.co.za), Intercape (tel: 0861 287 287; www.intercape.co.za) and Translux (tel: 0861 589 282; www.translux.co.za).