First Car Rental's quick guide to FAQs on South Africa

Online, June 2, 2010 (Newswire.com) - With the 2010 Soccer World Cup just days away, First Car Rental's Car Hire & Travel Guide will come in handy as a quick reference for FAQ's on South Africa for the thousands of soccer fans expected to hit our shores.

Can I drink South African water?

South Africa's water is of a far higher quality than that of many developed countries. High-quality tap (faucet) water is available almost everywhere, treated to be free of harmful micro-organisms and is both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap. Johannesburg's water, for one, is as good as anything you'll get in a bottle.

Is it safe to walk around?

Like anywhere, yes - provided you don't go wandering about deserted streets at the dead of night. Yes, there is crime in South Africa. But you don't need to do more than take the usual sensible precautions. Know where you're going before you set off, particularly at night. Don't display valuable possessions carelessly in public. Lock the doors at night. And, like anywhere else in the world, know that there are some areas of the major cities where outsiders present a more vulnerable target. It is easy to avoid these areas without lessening your enjoyment of a country and a people who are, with a few exceptions, remarkably warm and welcoming.

Where can I smoke?

The law prohibits smoking in most public spaces, including airports and railway stations. Most restaurants have designated smoking and non-smoking areas.

Does South Africa practise Daylight Saving?

No. South Africa does not change its clocks during the year, and there are no regional variations within the country. South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean (or Universal Standard) Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of the USA's Eastern Standard Winter Time.

What are tips on tipping?

Tipping is common practice in South Africa for a range of services. In restaurants, the accepted standard is around 10% of the bill, although sometimes a gratuity will be included (often in the case of a large party, also referred to as a service charge). Garage Petrol Attendants and Car Guards are also tipped from R2 upwards.

Rent a car and experience the beauty of South Africa's diverse countryside with our Top 10 Places to visit guide for KwaZulu-Natal; the Western Cape and Mpumalanga.