Port Elizabeth, known locally as PE or 'the Windy City', is located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
The city stretches for 16km (10mi) along the western edge of Algoa Bay.
The most convenient route to Port Elizabeth is by air to Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ), located around 4km (2.5mi) south of the city's central business district.
Port Elizabeth is located at the eastern end of the scenic Garden Route, which is a major tourist attraction in South Africa.
Famous for its indigenous forests, freshwater lakes, wetlands, hidden coves and long, sweeping golden-sand beaches, the Garden Route stretches along a narrow coastal strip for 185km (115mi) from Mossel Bay to Storms River, and inland to the mountain peaks of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma National Park.
By car, Port Elizabeth is an 8-hour drive from Cape Town via the Garden Route.
The following are the most convenient and quickest flight routes to Port Elizabeth.
Within South Africa: British Airways, Safair and South African Airways offers the most convenient daily flights to Port Elizabeth.
Cape Town to Port Elizabeth is 1 hr 10 min, direct flight
Durban to Port Elizabeth is 1 hr 20 min, direct flight
Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth is 1 hr 35 min, direct flight
From United States: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, South African Airways and Safair offer the most convenient daily scheduled flights to Port Elizabeth.
Atlanta to Port Elizabeth is 18 hrs 29 min, connecting flightˆ
Boston to Port Elizabeth is 22 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
Chicago to Port Elizabeth is 23 hrs 1 min, connecting flightˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Port Elizabeth is 21 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
New York to Port Elizabeth is 19 hrs 15 min, connecting flightˆ
Los Angeles to Port Elizabeth is 23 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
San Francisco to Port Elizabeth is 25 hrs 27 min, connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, Delta Air Lines and South African Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Port Elizabeth.
Toronto to Port Elizabeth is 22 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
Montreal to Port Elizabeth is 23 hrs 9 min, connecting flightˆ
Vancouver to Port Elizabeth is 27 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
From Australia: Qantas, Virgin Australia and South African Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Port Elizabeth.
Adelaide to Port Elizabeth is 19 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Brisbane to Port Elizabeth is 19 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Sydney to Port Elizabeth is 16 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
Melbourne to Port Elizabeth is 19 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Perth to Port Elizabeth is 14 hrs 5 min, connecting flightˆ
From New Zealand: Qantas, Virgin Australia and South African Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Port Elizabeth.
Auckland to Port Elizabeth is 22 hrs 10 min, connecting flightsˆ
From Singapore: Singapore Airlines and South African Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Port Elizabeth.
Singapore to Port Elizabeth is 13 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
From United Kingdom: British Airways and South African Airways offer the most convenient flights to Port Elizabeth.
London to Port Elizabeth is 13 hrs 45 min, connecting flightsˆ
Manchester to Port Elizabeth is 16 hrs 5 min, connecting flightsˆ
From France: Air France and South African Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Port Elizabeth.
Paris to Port Elizabeth is 13 hrs 10 min, connecting flightsˆ
(ˆincludes layover time.)
Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) is located around 4km (2.5mi) south of the city's central business district.
Taxi: Metered taxis are available outside the departures hall. Journey time to the city centre is around 5 minutes, with a fare starting at R60.
Shuttle: Shuttle services are available on request from Blunden Coach Tours (tel: +27 41 451 4803; www.blunden.co.za). Journey time to the city centre is approximately 10 minutes, and prices depend on the exact destination and size of the group.
Car hire companies represented at Port Elizabeth Airport include Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Bidvest and Tempest.
Money: There is an ATM situated in the area between the arrival and departure halls.
Food: A selection of restaurants, pubs and cafes can be found throughout the airport.
Shopping: There are several shops at Port Elizabeth Airport, including gift and snack shops in the departure hall, and a clothing/footwear shop in the departure hall. Duty-free shopping is not available.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi internet access (free for the first 4 hours or 500MB of use) is available at Port Elizabeth Airport. Public telephones are available and there is a post box in the departure hall.
Other: Basic first aid facilities are available, as are baby changing facilities in the ladies' toilets.
The South African Airways lounge (+27 41 507 7251) and the Premier Lounge (+27 41 581 6381) are located in the domestic departures terminal. The Premier Lounge is open to any passenger regardless of airline or ticket class.
Facilities for the disabled include dedicated toilets and lifts to the first floor, where the business-class lounge and restaurant are situated. Contact the information desk (tel: +27 41 507 7319) for assistance.
Reserved parking is also available for disabled passengers.
If passengers need assistance boarding or disembarking, they should contact their airline at the time of booking.
A passport valid for at least 30 days beyond intended period of stay as well as a ticket for return or onward travel. Visas are not required for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, US, UK and most EU countries; instead, visitors are issued with a visitor's permit on arrival, valid for a month.
Cheap shared minibuses and more expensive metered taxis are plentiful. Car and motorbike hire is available.
A hire car is probably the best option for exploring the Garden Route. Traffic drives on the left.
Latest update: How to get to Port Elizabeth : 3 January, 2023
Advertising