Everything you need for South Africa, step by step
Tap a stage of your trip — we'll show the categories that matter right then.
Sort the paperwork, lock the flights, land already connected.
Land in South Africa like you already know the place
A three-step plan from your couch to your first coffee in town. Each phase shows what locals actually use.
Before you go
1–2 weeks ahead — sort the basics from home.
- Visa & immigration
Check if you need a visa and apply early.
Top pick:iVisa
- Flights & airports
Book flights and save your boarding pass offline.
Top pick:App in the Air
- Hotels & stays
Reserve your first 2 nights — pin the address.
Top pick:Booking.com
- Travel insurance
Get insurance that covers your activities.
Top pick:SafetyWing
- eSIM & internet
Install an eSIM so you have data the moment you land.
Top pick:Airalo - Translation
Download an offline translator for the local language.
Top pick:Google Translate
When you land
First hour at the airport — get connected and moving.
- Taxi & rides
Open the ride app — skip the airport taxi queue.
Top pick:Bolt
- eSIM & internet
Activate your eSIM before leaving the gate.
Top pick:Airalo - Money & payments
Withdraw a small amount of local cash from an ATM.
Top pick:Wise (formerly TransferWise)
- Maps & navigation
Save offline maps for your destination.
Top pick:Google Maps - Public transport
Buy a transit card at the airport station.
Top pick:Moovit
- Car rental
Pick up your rental at the airport counter.
Top pick:Rentalcars.com
While you're there
Once you're settled — eat, explore, enjoy.
- Food Delivery
Order from the app locals actually use.
Top pick:Bolt Food - Restaurants & dining
Book a table — many spots are reservation-only.
Top pick:TheFork - Nightlife & bars
Find what's on tonight, not the tourist trap version.
Top pick:Resident Advisor
- Events & tickets
Grab tickets to a local event or show.
Top pick:Eventbrite
- Tours & attractions
Skip the line with mobile tickets.
Top pick:GetYourGuide
- Pharmacy & health
Locate the nearest 24/7 pharmacy.
Top pick:Air Doctor
Help the next traveler — earn points
Rate apps you used, write a tip, climb the South Africa leaderboard.
Essentials in South Africa
One tap to install — straight from the locals' shortlist.
Say it like a local — South Africa
Essential phrases in the local language. Tap the speaker to hear it.
About South Africa
About South Africa: South Africa offers a striking mix of rugged coastlines and vast savannas, grounded in a complex history and vibrant urban culture.
South Africa offers a striking mix of rugged coastlines and vast savannas, grounded in a complex history and vibrant urban culture. Most reputable businesses accept major credit cards, though carrying small amounts of cash is useful for tipping or informal markets. While English is widely spoken, hiring a private car or using ride-share apps is generally safer and more reliable than public transit.Browse by category
Every category that locals in South Africa use day-to-day.
Food Delivery
Order food from local restaurants.
- Bolt Food
- Checkers Sixty60
- Mr D Food
- Pick n Pay asap!
- + 3 more
Restaurants & dining
- TheFork
- Google Maps
- HappyCow
- OpenTable
- + 2 more
Messaging & social
The chat & social apps locals actually use every day.
Translation
Break the language barrier.
- Google Translate
- DeepL
- Microsoft Translator
- + 1 more
Taxi & rides
Taxi and ride-hailing apps
- Bolt
- Uber
Flights & airports
- App in the Air
- FlightAware
- Flighty
- + 1 more
Travel insurance
Cover for medical, trip & gear
- SafetyWing
- Heymondo
- Allianz Travel
- + 3 more
Hotels & stays
Find hotels and short stays
- Booking.com
- Hotels.com
- Hostelworld
- + 2 more
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