Major city · South Africa
George
Stay 1–2 days in George as a quick Garden Route base; one night covers museum, Powervan, and a beach.
George is the main gateway to the Garden Route, with easy road links, a small airport, and attractions like the Outeniqua Powervan, museums, and nearby beaches. One night lets you see the highlights; add a second day for extra hikes or a beach trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (rainy, cooler)
- Airport
- GRJ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for George112 ▾
- General emergency112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about George, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyGeorge is generally safe; keep valuables hidden, watch speed cameras, and use reputable taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGRJ George Airport (SAA flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban).
- Getting aroundCar is easiest; main road is York Street.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR30–R45
- BeerBeer (draft)R25–R35
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))R150–R200
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (George Museum)Free
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personR 250
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double, a night, per roomR 1,200
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double, a night, per roomR 1,800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 300 · Mid R 600 · High R 1,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GRJ George Airport (SAA flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jul (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jun (9 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
George: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is easiest; main road is York Street. Car rentals (CABS) available at the airport. Minivan taxis run to Mossel Bay (R35) and Knysna (R50).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Knysna
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
N2 west, about 45 min drive
Coastal town, lagoon, and forest trails.
Wilderness
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
N2 west, about 30 min drive
Visit the Outeniqua Powervan stop and beach.
Outeniqua Transport Museum
goDoor to door: ≈15 min total
Walk from town centre, 10 min
Free entry, R20 optional donation.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hyatt Regency Oubaai
Golf & spa resort, ocean view, 100 rooms
Outeniqua Travel Lodge
Backpacker hostel, central
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R300–R500 excl. bed
- Mid
- R500–R800 excl. bed
- High
- R800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double1 × 1 night × R 1,200 | R 1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 600 | R 1,200 |
| Car rental (compact, 1 day)2 × R 500 · check | R 1,000 |
| Outeniqua Powervan ride2 × R 250 · Nov 2025 price | R 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 390 |
| Trip total≈ R 2,145 per person per day, bed included | R 4,290≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in rand; flights and long-distance transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R30–R45 |
| Beer (draft) | R25–R35 |
| Meal at a casual restaurant | R80–R150 |
| Taxi (5 km) | R150–R200 |
| Car rental (compact, per day) | R350–R500 |
| Outeniqua Powervan ticket | R250 |
| Museum entry (George Museum) | Free |
| Museum entry (Outeniqua Transport Museum) | R20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Speed cameras on York Street and at the Kaaimans River Pass; obey 60 km/h (37 mph) limit on the pass.Speed cameras on York Street and at the Kaaimans River Pass; obey 37 mph (60 km/h) limit on the pass.
- Temporary speed cameras appear over Christmas and Easter.
- Parking at popular beaches can fill quickly in peak season.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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GeorgeGeorge
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
Embassy
US consulate in Cape Town; nearest SA embassy in Pretoria.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- George Airport → City centre (taxi): ≈ R150–R200, 15 min
- Car rental (compact, daily): ≈ R350–R500
- Powervan ride: R250, 2½ h
Say or show
- Jammer — Excuse me / Sorry (jammer)
- Dankie — Thank you (dankie)
- Hoeveel kos dit? — How much is it? (hoeveel kos dit)
- Waar is die toilet? — Where is the toilet? (waar is die toilet)
- Kan ek met kaart betaal? — Can I pay by card? (kan ek met kaart betaal)
- Ek het 'n taxi nodig — I need a taxi (ek het 'n taxi nodig)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for George. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (rainy, cooler) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a guided hike on George Peak for extra fitness.
- Include a day at Fancourt golf for sport lovers.
Sources
- officialWikidata – George
- secondaryWikivoyage: George, revision 5159863 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about George
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