World Cup 2010 – Top Ten Travel Tactics

 

And Know The Score

For those lucky enough to be including the FIFA World Cup 2010 in their gap year itinerary, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office have some top tips to help you plan your trip and avoid hassles when you get to South Africa.

 

As with all major international sporting events, there are certain issues to be aware of.  By planning your tactics now you can make the most of what promises to be a once in a lifetime opportunity for travelling England fans.

 

For the latest travel updates, information about specific locations in South Africa and useful contact details, visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's World Cup pages at: www.fco.gov.uk/worldcup.

 

Top Ten Travel Tactics

This handy checklist will help you on your way to planning your trip to South Africa

1.      Accommodation.  Make sure you book your accommodation before you arrive - South Africa will be incredibly busy during the World Cup period and many guest houses are already full for the duration of the competition.

2.      Insurance.  Not having insurance could cost over £25,000 in medical bills and air evacuation so ensure you're covered. With the high levels of crime it is also important to insure any possessions you take with you.

3.      Road Safety.  Check the local rules of the road. For example, at four way intersections the car that arrives first has the right of way, more information on our travel and transport page.

4.      Transport.  If you are thinking about hiring a car in South Africa, ensure that you book early as there is a limited amount available./  If you miss out use only licensed and branded taxis or official transport.  If the latter, try and travel as a group and sty vigilant at all times particularly if travelling during peak times.

5.      Health.  Check which vaccinations and medication you need before you travel at NaTHNaC.  There is a much higher incidence of HIV?Aids in South Africa tahn in the UK, so avoid putting yourself at risk.

6.      Ticketing.  Fake tickets may be in circulation, so make sure any tickets that you buy are genuine by checking with the FIFA World Cup Ticketing Centre. Tickets are also ID specific, and you may be asked to produce photo ID to confirm the ticket is yours.

7.      Entry Documents.  you don't need a visa to enter South Africa provided you don't intend to stay longer than 90 days.  your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after you leave.  we advise that you have two blank pages in your passport on arrival.  Once you have your documents, photocopy them all and store separately from the originals.  You might also store them online using a secure data storage site such as MyTsafe.

8.      Match Day.  Arrive early at matches to avoid problems at the gate and missing the start of the match.

9.      South African Laws and Customs.  There are different laws and policing in South Africa, there will be no tolerance of racist or xenophobic material, and fans deemed too intoxicated may be refused entry to the stadium.  Outside of designated areas, it can be illegal to drink alcohol in public places.

10.   LOCATE.  register your details with the FCO's LOCATE system which informs us where you are going so we can provide help in an emergency.

In an emergency in South Africa:  Please call the Police on 10111 from a landline or 112 from a mobile phone.  Or contact the British High Commission: Pretoria, Liberty Life Place, Block B, 256 Glyn Street, Hatfield, Pretoria 0083. Tel: (27) (12) 421 7500

Enjoy World Cup 2010 and "Be on the Ball"!

 

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