The Garden Route has no single gateway - it is a 300 km stretch of coastline between Mossel Bay and Storms River, and how you reach it depends on where you’re coming from and where you plan to start. George Airport is the main arrival point for fly-in travellers, with connections from Cape Town and Johannesburg. For those already in Cape Town, the N2 highway drive east is the classic way in - and the road itself is part of the experience.
This guide covers every practical way to reach the Garden Route: flying to George, the N2 drive from Cape Town, arriving from Port Elizabeth, and what to do about transfers once you land.
Flying to George Airport
George Airport (IATA: GRJ) is a small, modern regional airport 10 km northeast of George town and approximately 60 km west of Knysna. It is the only commercial airport on the Garden Route.
Flights from Cape Town
The Cape Town (CPT) to George (GRJ) route is approximately 55 minutes. SA Airlink operates multiple daily frequencies - typically 4–6 return services per day. FlySafair also serves the route seasonally.
| Carrier | Typical advance fare |
|---|---|
| SA Airlink | R600–1,200 return (booked 4–6 weeks ahead) |
| FlySafair | R500–1,000 return (seasonal availability) |
Prices equate to approximately $30–$65 USD at current rates (R18–19/$1 as of 2026). This is a short-haul regional route - same-day tickets can exceed R2,500. Book as early as you can.
If you have more time, consider driving rather than flying from Cape Town - the N2 drive east is scenic and puts you at Mossel Bay or Wilderness the same day (see below).
Flights from Johannesburg
The Johannesburg (OR Tambo, JNB) to George (GRJ) route takes approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. SA Airlink is the primary carrier; South African Airways also operates this route.
| Carrier | Typical advance fare |
|---|---|
| SA Airlink | R1,000–2,200 return |
| South African Airways | R1,100–2,500 return |
The Johannesburg–George route is less competitive than the Cape Town route. Book at least 6 weeks ahead for reasonable fares. Lanseria Airport (HLA) does not currently serve George; you will need OR Tambo.
At George Airport
George Airport is compact and easy to navigate. International arrivals and domestic arrivals share the same building. Car hire desks - Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Tempest Car Hire, and First Car Rental - are in the arrivals hall. All major agencies have stock here, but availability can be tight in peak season (December–January, South African school holidays). Book your car well in advance, especially if you need an automatic.
ATMs and a small café are in the terminal. The airport has free wifi throughout.
George Airport → Knysna: 62 km east via the N2, approximately 45 minutes without stops. The road is excellent and the drive through the Outeniqua Mountains and down to the coast is a preview of what’s ahead.
George Airport → Plettenberg Bay: 135 km, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via the N2.
George Airport → Storms River/Tsitsikamma: 195 km, approximately 2 hours via the N2.
Driving the N2 from Cape Town
For many travellers, the Garden Route drive starts in Cape Town. The N2 heading east is the route - a two-lane national highway that hugs the southern coast, climbs over mountain passes, and eventually deposits you in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) some 770 km later.
Cape Town Departure: Which Route to Take
From Cape Town City Bowl, join the N2 east via the R300. The road is well-signposted. Fill up in Cape Town - you will have no trouble finding petrol on route, but the N2 east of Storms River is more remote.
Alternatively, take the coastal R44 via Gordon’s Bay and Hermanus before rejoining the N2 at Caledon - an extra 45 minutes but a dramatic coastal leg along the Hottentots Holland Mountains.
Distance Markers on the N2 from Cape Town
| Stop | Distance from Cape Town | Driving time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mossel Bay | 385 km | ~4 hours | Western end of the Garden Route; good lunch stop |
| George | 435 km | ~4.5 hours | Airport, supermarkets, car hire; practical base |
| Wilderness | 450 km | ~5 hours | First scenic stop; river estuary, beach |
| Knysna | 490 km | ~5.5 hours | Lagoon, the Heads, oysters; most-visited town |
| Plettenberg Bay | 535 km | ~6 hours | Beach resort town; Robberg Peninsula |
| Storms River (Tsitsikamma) | 580 km | ~6.5 hours | National park; suspension bridge; Bloukrans bungee |
| Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) | 770 km | ~8.5 hours | Eastern end; airport for flights home |
These are driving times without stops. Add at least 30–45 minutes per town if you stop for fuel, food, or sightseeing. Most travellers break the drive at Mossel Bay (lunch) and arrive in Wilderness or Knysna by late afternoon on day one.
Road Conditions
The N2 is a well-maintained two-lane highway throughout the Garden Route. No 4x4 is required for any of the main stops. The only exception is the Outeniqua Pass (R62 from George toward Oudtshoorn) - negotiable in a standard sedan in dry weather but steep.
Fuel is available in Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay. Fill up in Plettenberg Bay before heading into Tsitsikamma - the next stations are at Storms River village or on the far side of the park.
Speed limits: 120 km/h on the N2; 80 km/h through towns. Traffic police with speed traps are active on this corridor. The stretch between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay has several known camera positions.
Arriving from Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) - OR Tambo Gqeberha Airport (PLZ) - is the eastern gateway to the Garden Route. If you’re combining the Garden Route with Addo Elephant National Park or the Eastern Cape, fly into Port Elizabeth first.
Port Elizabeth → Storms River: 180 km west via the N2, approximately 2 hours.
Port Elizabeth → Plettenberg Bay: 235 km, approximately 2.5 hours.
Port Elizabeth → Knysna: 280 km, approximately 3 hours.
Hire a car at the Port Elizabeth airport and drive west - the Garden Route unspools in reverse, starting with Tsitsikamma and ending at George or Mossel Bay. This works especially well if you’re flying into Joburg, driving to Addo, then doing the Garden Route, and flying home from Cape Town.
SA Airlink, FlySafair, and South African Airways operate daily flights from OR Tambo (JNB) to Port Elizabeth. Return fares start from approximately R800 booked in advance.
Intercity Coaches: Useful but Limited
Coach travel is possible between Cape Town and the Garden Route towns, but it is not well-suited to how most people use the route.
Intercape operates the Cape Town–Port Elizabeth route, with stops at Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay. Journey time from Cape Town to Knysna is approximately 6–7 hours. Tickets start from around R300 (approximately $16 USD) booked online.
FlixBus also covers the Cape Town–Port Elizabeth corridor at comparable prices.
The limitation: The Garden Route is fundamentally a drive-and-stop experience. Arriving by coach commits you to a single town without the flexibility to move. If you plan to stay in one place (a week in Knysna, say) and do day trips, a coach gets you there cheaply. If you want to move through the route, hire a car.
Car Hire: Essential Information
A hire car is not optional for the Garden Route - it is how the route works. Every major attraction (Robberg Peninsula, Tsitsikamma suspension bridge, the Knysna Heads, Bloukrans bungee) requires driving yourself between stops.
Where to hire:
- George Airport - most convenient for fly-in travellers; all major agencies on site
- Cape Town Airport - if you’re driving east from Cape Town
- Port Elizabeth Airport - if you’re doing the route west from the Eastern Cape
- Knysna town centre - a handful of smaller agencies if you arrive by coach and want to add flexibility mid-trip
Estimated daily hire car rates (2026):
- Small sedan (Toyota Yaris or similar): from R550–800/day with unlimited mileage
- SUV (Toyota RAV4 or similar): from R900–1,400/day
- 7-seater minivan: from R1,200–1,800/day
Agencies at George Airport: Avis (+27 44 876 9314), Budget (+27 44 876 9204), Europcar, Hertz, Tempest, First Car Rental. Book online at least 3–4 weeks ahead in peak season - George is a small airport and popular car sizes sell out.
Compare hire car rates for George Airport via GetRentacar
Getting Around the Garden Route Without a Car
If you genuinely cannot or do not want to hire a car, there are limited alternatives.
Baz Bus operates hop-on hop-off coach travel for backpackers between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, stopping at all major Garden Route towns. This works well if you plan to stay in backpacker accommodation and take organised day tours from each town. Passes start from approximately R2,800 for the Cape Town–Port Elizabeth stretch.
Guided tour operators run multi-day Garden Route itineraries out of Cape Town. These include transport, accommodation, and guides, removing the need for your own car entirely. Browse multi-day Garden Route tours on GetYourGuide.
From George town: There is a local minibus taxi network between George and Knysna (approximately R50, 45 minutes) - cheap but irregular. Not suitable for luggage-heavy travellers.
Practical Notes for Arrival
| Malaria | None - the Garden Route is entirely malaria-free |
| Fuel | Fill up in each major town; do not arrive at Tsitsikamma on empty |
| Mobile signal | Reliable on Vodacom and MTN throughout; brief dead zones in forest sections |
| Road signs | Brown tourism signs mark all national parks, viewpoints, and attractions |
| Emergency | National emergency: 112 (mobile) |
| George Airport taxi | Uber works in George town; pre-arranged transfers to Knysna from R600 |
Plan Your Trip
- Garden Route travel guide - key stops, accommodation, and a 5-day itinerary
- Garden Route things to do - Tsitsikamma, Robberg Peninsula, Bloukrans bungee, Knysna forest
- Where to stay on the Garden Route - accommodation in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Wilderness
- Getting around South Africa - hire car, Uber, and long-distance buses compared
- 7-day Garden Route itinerary - a full week from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth