With the festive season quickly approaching many South Africans are already planning their holidays and for most Jo’burgers this means a drive down to the coast. In previous years that pretty much meant a trip down to Durban, however these days Umhlanga and Ballito on the North coast and Scottburgh on the South coast have become a lot more popular. The trip down can be a bit of a mission but if you know what to expect and are well prepared it can be a pleasure.

Toll gates

The main route to get to Durban from Jhb is via the N3. That is unless you decide to go some random route through a bunch of towns no one has ever heard of, no doubt including Tweebuffelsmeteenskootmorsdoodgeskietfontein and have a 29 hour trip. But for the most of us, the trip is going to be spent on the N3 and you are going to hit tollgates.

The lineup of tollgates from Jhb to Durban are as follows in order:

• De Hoek R29
• Wilge R41
• Tugela R43
• Mooi R30
• Mariannhill R7

Total R150

However, if you are going to Ballito, there is the extra Tongaat tollgate at R6.50 just for some extra spice. Travelers to the South coast of Natal have no extra tolls, assuming you aren’t heading as far as Port Shepstone. These toll prices are up to date but keep in mind they could change at any time.

Catching a plane

If you decide to catch a quick flight down to the coast for your holiday, you are cheating. Half the point of the holiday is the journey down, however long and grueling it may seem.

Time-wise it’s actually not too much different, you will have to sit in an airport an hour before your flight, fly for a few hours, then mess around in the airport in Durban and organise a car rental etc and in the end it wont work out that much quicker.