Known as both the Windy City and the Friendly City, Port Elizabeth provides the perfect base to explore South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

Land at Port Elizabeth Airport and pick up your Avis car rental, then head straight to the city centre where unforgettable sights await. We make car rental easy, because we know you can’t wait to feel the freedom of the road and get the very most out of your stay. Wherever your travels take you, the keys are waiting for you to unlock the world.

There’s plenty to see beyond Port Elizabeth, from elephant parks to cultural villages. All you have to do is drive.

Addo Elephant National Park

Drive for 30 minutes via N2 from Port Elizabeth and arrive at Addo Elephant National Park – one of the region’s biggest attractions. The third-largest national park in South Africa, it features a huge range of biodiversity and landscapes. Go see the elephant herds at Hapoor dam or admire views of the verdant Zuurberg mountain.

Grahamstown

Grahamstown is around a 90-minute drive from Port Elizabeth via the N2. This large student town, with a predominantly young population – thanks to Rhodes University – is a lively, artistic day trip destination. With over 40 religious buildings and Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture on show, it’s such an attractive city. The annual National Arts Festival draws in thousands of visitors each July, offering everything from street art to orchestra performances.

Jeffreys Bay

Jeffreys Bay is just under an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth. Home to a huge surfing community, the bay is listed as one of the world’s best surfing destinations. Look out for Jeffreys Bay Surf Break – a long stretch along the west side of the bay, boasting one of the longest and most perfect right hand point breaks in the world. While professionals come here to surf, you can relax and enjoy the beach scene, or try a surfing lesson yourself.

Collect the keys to your Avis hire car in Port Elizabeth and start your South African road trip.

 

Port Elizabeth is just a 10-minute drive from Port Elizabeth Airport via Settlers Hwy/M4. A coastal hotspot on the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth is home to a wealth of cultural sights and natural attractions sure to entertain every visitor.

Nestled on Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth boasts 40km of stunning beaches with protected areas for swimming. Among the most popular are Kings, Hobie and Humewood beaches – each offering opportunities for fishing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and more. For more secluded areas, head to Sardinia Bay, Blue Horizon Bay or Bluewater Bay.

South Africa’s difficult history is explored at the Red Location Museum, which displays the horrors of institutionalised racism and the heroic efforts of the anti-apartheid movement. There’s also a Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum and Prince Alfred’s Guard Memorial, located in St George’s Park.

You can’t pass up an opportunity to see Route 67 in Port Elizabeth either. It’s a collection of 67 art pieces celebrating the years Nelson Mandela devoted to public life. With a mix of visual arts, urban design, and even architecture, it’s a fascinating attraction.

Before you leave, climb the lighthouse in the Donkin Reserve. You can also follow a heritage trail around the park, taking you past its outdoor monuments and artworks.

Frequent renters get upgraded – and additional days for free – by signing up for Avis Preferred loyalty benefits. Simply choose a date and time and we’ll prepare your quality hire car.