Practical travel advice for Port Elizabeth

Keep in mind this handy travel advice for Port Elizabeth:

General information

The Sunshine Coast of South Africa is home to Port Elizabeth, a scenic city with a wonderful coastal climate and constant holiday ambience. Hemmed in by a beautiful coastline featuring a collection of popular beaches, PE (Port Elizabeth) is the watersports capital of South Africa. There’s plenty of cultural and historical entertainment in the city and a number of nature and game reserves nearby for a wild holiday element.

Driving

South Africa has great national freeways granting access to and from cities all over the country. The comprehensive road network in and around Port Elizabeth provides a variety of access routes to destinations in the city and its surrounds. A GPS (eg. Garmin or Tomtom) is worthwhile for simplifying PE travel. Roads all over the city are being upgraded for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, so be prepared to be patient when you’re on a route with “roadworks” underway!

Like with driving in any urban area, it’s important to be discerning when driving in town. Follow this important travel advice for Port Elizabeth to stay safe:

• Pay attention when approaching or leaving your car. Don’t linger in parking lots: either lock up and leave or get in   and go!
• Lock the doors and keep windows up at all times.
• Do not stop to assist “broken down” motorists or pick up hitchhikers. Criminals use this tactic to attack and rob   compassionate motorists.
• At night, use brightly lit main roads and be careful in the city centre. Don’t drive in townships.
• Be vigilant at red robots (traffic lights) at night. Slow down before the robot and keep moving slowly until the light   turns green. If there are people lurking nearby or somebody walks towards your car, carefully drive through the red   light. Risk a fine rather than a nasty experience.
• Don’t give money to street children. In general, people use children to beg as a business enterprise, or the kids   use the use the money for sniffing glue. Rather give them food, or give money to the charities that feed and clothe   them.

Tipping and gratuities

How to tip is another useful piece of travel advice for Port Elizabeth.

Standard practice for restaurant tipping is 10% or more (relative to the service you’ve received) if a gratuity is not included on your bill.

You’ll find “car guards” watching over street parking and parking lots around the country. Reputable guards should be adults and belong to a car guarding company. They often wear a company-branded shirt or jacket. When returning to your vehicle it is customary to tip the guard for watching your car. An average PE tip is R2.

Safety and security

Quiet areas (especially at night), are best avoided. Walk in groups, not alone.

Be attentive in the city centre.

Use common “city” sense: keep your cell phones, cameras, and jewellery safe by keeping them out of sight whether in the car, on your person, or at your place of accommodation (especially if you’re on the ground floor as things are often pinched through windows).

Languages

Although 11 official languages are spoken in South Africa, business, services and tourism usually operate in English.

Electricity

An adapter is a travel essential: electricity is 230 volts and plugs are round three or two pin plugs.

Home | About Us | Fleet | Rates | About Bloemfontein | All Locations | Contact Us | Site Map

COPYRIGHT 2009 WOODFORD VEHICLE HIRE | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WEBSITE & INTERNET MARKETING BY: WSI