what to expect in Durban and Port Elizabeth?

June 15, 2009 7:03 PM

What can we expect when we travel to Durban and Port Elizabeth for the World Cup? Looking for info on transport, safety, lodging, etc.

i found lots of info on Cape Town on AskMefi, but nothing on Durban and Port Elizabeth -- what are these towns like? are they safe? cheap/expensive? how should we get from one to the other? We (my boyfriend and I -- both 24 yr old white kids, in case that is relevant) are planning to be there during the World Cup.

any info you have would be greatly appreciated!

posted by nanhey to travel & transportation (6 answers total)

I haven't been to Durban for a long time, but Port Elizabeth is perfectly safe - I mean, you'll be able to enjoy a visit there without having any concern fro your safety. I was just down there for about 4 months - actually living at my dad's in Grahamstown which is 2 hours from PE, on the road to Durban. The actual downtown is pretty grungy and not much to brag about, but the Centretown neighbourhood uphill is actually very nice and gentrified, and racially-mixed and content.
It's a pretty city, if a bit windswept at times - nice beaches & art deco apartment blocks - from certain angles it might look like SF. Also, big shopping malls, Costco-type retailers. I actually think you'll be surprised at how 'western' it is. People have this idea of Africa being this exotic, scary, dangerous place, but it's not like that at all. Away from certain areas - the big townships, central Jo'burg - crime isn't that big of a deal. Just, I don't know, take basic precautions. I've wandered all over SA, alone, hitchhiking, trains, buses, and *never* felt a bad vibe anywhere. People are generally good, wherever you go. Anyway, Cape Town and East London are pretty much the same, so I'd expect Durban would be ok too.
If you're spending dollars, it's very cheap.
Travel between PE and Durban - I'd take the Greyhound bus - there are two other bus companies, one of which was ok (I forget what it was called), and the other I heard bad things about, it's like the dirt-cheap one... so, stick with Greyhound. It's *slightly* classier than its US namesake - with like a host/hostess, coffee and snacks, but still a long drive (8 hours?). Still, you'd see some beautiful country (right past my dad's house on the N2!) and could break the trip up and stop off along the way some place. I guess it'd cost about $40-50
Alternatively, domestic flights are very cheap, either with SAA or with an airline called 'OneTime' who I just flew with in January, and they were fine. Considering it'd be like an hour flight, and would cost maybe $100, flying might actually be the better, if less adventurous, option. Although flying over the Drakensberg is spectacular!
(Unfortunately I just, in an unfinished effort at reorganising, took down pages of SA pictures on my website or I could have illustrated my comments... but if you have any more questions let me know by e-mail)
posted by Flashman at 7:49 PM on June 15, 2009

Actually, no, *bits* of it are pretty, I should clarify. Lots of it is gritty and industrial. But the nice bits are very nice, the beaches and surfing are great, and during the World Cup there will be a lot of partying going on down there.
posted by Flashman at 7:52 PM on June 15, 2009

Durban will generally be cheaper than Cape Town. I guess all the accommodation will be quite expensive during the World Cup though. The city itself isn't that special, but there is some nice coastline both north and south of Durban (generally called the North Coast and the South Coast). The nightlife will be better in Durban though than the smaller towns. Some places that are popular to stay at are: Ballito (north), Umhlanga (north), Margate (south), Shelley Beach (south). The places I've mentioned on the South Coast are about 1.5 hours drive from Durban, whilst the places in the North are about 20 - 30 minutes drive from Durban. Renting a car would be the easiest way to get around.

The World Cup is in the middle of winter, but Durban will be warmer than other parts of the country. In fact, a lot of people from Johannesburg go down to Durban for the winter holidays to enjoy the mild weather and swim in the ocean.

There is also the Baz Bus which follows a certain route around the country which you can jump on and off of as an alternate to the Greyhound and other direct buses.

In terms of flights, the low cost airlines are Mango, 1time and Kulula. Depending when you book, you can get flights for as little as R 400 one way, but this could cost quite a bit more too. You'll have to check the schedules for other inter-city flights, I'm only familiar with flights to and from Joburg.

I haven't been to Port Elizabeth so I can't help much there. Check the Lonely Planet's thorntree forums for more useful info.

Have fun!
posted by Gomez_in_the_South at 11:14 PM on June 15, 2009

I'm originally from Umhlanga, just north of Durban. Stay out of the city if you can, or research your lodging very, very carefully. Some of the sketchy areas just don't make sense because they're right next to beautiful beaches or areas that you would simply assume are fine.

A car will be a must because the public transportation system is overloaded at the best of times. I have to assume that there are arrangements in place for the world cup but I wouldn't bet my holiday on it. Besides, there's so much beautiful stuff to see within a 1 - 2 hour drive of Durbs that you'll want to get out for short day, or half-day, trips up and down the coast.

Be sensible with your valuables and your own safety. South Africa is not always as crime ridden as reports indicate but petty theft is rampant. If you want to ask any questions or check up on potential lodging locations, feel free to send me a mefi-mail thingy.
posted by Umhlangan at 11:23 AM on June 16, 2009

My SO concurs with flashman regarding safety in PE and Durban - just exercise the usual precautions, and don't go asking for trouble (ie looking lost, flashing the cash, walking around after dark, etc).

Also, we've flown with 1time before, great service and very cheap, highly recommended. Try to avoid South African Airways if at all possible.
posted by macdara at 11:29 AM on June 16, 2009

thanks so much for the info!!
posted by nanhey at 4:19 PM on June 16, 2009