How to Cheaply & Safely Travel Around South Africa in 2025

"I found Baz Bus to be a convenient, backpacker-focused hop-on/hop-off option that runs the Port Elizabeth to Cape Town route (about 750 km) with an unlimited one-way pass costing 3,700 ZAR and a return pass for 4,800 ZAR; there’s no time limit on the pass so you can stop as often as you like. It’s great for meeting other travelers and for sticking to the popular coastal route and the Garden Route, but it isn’t a huge money saver (fares are higher than trains and some other buses) and is limited by running one set route, dropping only at certain backpacker accommodations, and sometimes requiring extra-cost shuttles to local attractions — so it’s not ideal if you want to go off the beaten path." - Matthew Kepnes