Useful travel advice for Durban

Useful travel advice for Durban

Bear in mind this useful travel advice for Durban:

General information

Durban is South Africas playground; a coastal city featuring a full house of classic city entertainment: excellent shopping centres; upmarket theatres; fine dining; casino complexes; international sports competitions and world-class events, as well as the benefits the beachfront has to offer. The weather and water are usually warm, so the beaches are inviting at any time of the year.

Driving

South Africa has an excellent road system (particularly the national roads). Durban is quite spread out and a GPS (such as a Garmin) or a good, up-to-date map is essential for getting around the city as efficiently as possible. There is road maintenance taking place in various areas of the city in preparation for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, so be prepared to wait every now and then.

In the greater city area its a good idea to be attentive and careful when driving in town. Some valuable travel advice for Durban is:

• Be observant when parking your car, leaving it and returning to it. Get in/out and leave immediately. Dont wait around in parking lots or driveways.

• Keep car doors locked and windows up.

• Dont stop for hitchhikers or to help motorists broken down on the side of the road. Hijackers and robbers fake such incidents as a ploy to prey on kind people who stop to help.

• Drive and park in well lit, active areas. Be careful in the city centre.

• If you have to drive in a quiet area at night, approach stop streets and red robots (traffic lights) at a slow speed and try not to stop. If people are loitering near the stopping point or someone walks towards your car; carefully drive through the stop/red light. Rather pay a fine than risk a bad experience.

Using common city sense will likely give you a positive driving experience in Durban.

Tipping and gratuities

A handy piece of travel advice for Durban is knowing who, when and how to tip.

Waiting on tables is often an occupation in South Africa. If a gratuity is not included on your bill, a tip of 10% or more (according to the service youve received) is customary.

You will often see car guards watching over street parking and parking lots. Genuine guards are of adult age and wear a uniform identifying them as official car guards. You can check the reliability of car guards at the information counter of the mall youre visiting, or with the management of the restaurant youre eating at. When returning to your vehicle its common practice to tip the car guard R2-R5 (depending how long youve been) for watching your car.

Languages

South Africa has 11 official languages, but most business, services and tourism is conducted in English.

Electricity

South African electricity is 220/230 volts. Plugs are round three or two pin plugs; so a suitable adapter will be useful.

Safety and security

As in most cities, dont flaunt your expensive jewellery or carry large amounts of cash.

Keep valuables out of sight as much as you can. Lock them in the boot (trunk) when leaving your car parked; and store them away from windows at your place of accommodation.

Walk around in groups and dont spend time in isolated areas, especially at night.

Remember this travel advice for Durban and enjoy a safe and happy holiday.

• Added 2009/12/29 04:57:24 PM