ISHA Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

TRAVEL

How to get to ISHA 2023

Cape Town is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city with well-established transport links, and shares a time zone with many European and African cities (UTC+2). The venue for ISHA 2023, CTICC 1, is conveniently located in the city’s central business and entertainment hub, close to major attractions, accommodation and dining options.

ISHA is proud to announce that we have chosen SkyTeam as our Official Alliance Network for air travel to the ISHA 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting. To book your travel via SkyTeam and benefit from exclusive delegate discounts, please visit the Discounted Airfares page.

Getting to Cape Town

Air Travel

Direct flights to Cape Town International Airport (code IATA: CPT, code ICAO: FACT) are available from over 20 international destinations.

When arriving at the airport, there are several options for transport into the city. The MyCiTi bus public transport system offers a non-stop shuttle to and from the airport. The bus station can be found right outside the main terminal entrance, and buses depart every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. You can also catch a taxi from outside the terminal or request an Uber by following the directions on the app to the designated pick up zone in the P1 parking garage. A wide range of car hire companies are also available, while private luxury air-conditioned coaches and shuttle buses regularly run between the airport, hotels and city centre. The airport is a 20-30 minute drive from the CTICC and the city centre. For more information, please see the Cape Town International Airport website.

Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (code IATA: JNB, code ICAO: FAOR) is another key hub for incoming international flights, with domestic airlines providing connections to Cape Town. For more information, please see the Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport website.

ISHA's local partner Walthers DBS is available to help organise private airport transfers if desired. Please visit the Airport Transfers page.

Land Travel

For those travelling to ISHA 2023 from on the African continent, the Cape Town Transport Information Centre (TIC) provides information on public transport routes, schedules, prices and outlets for long-distance bus, rail and taxi operators.

24/7 toll-free line: 0800 65 64 63

Email: transport.info@capetown.gov.za

Getting to/from the venue (CTICC 1)

Bicycle

In an effort to minimise its carbon footprint, the CTICC encourages the use of bicycles and offers free bicycle parking facilities in P3 and on Convention Square outside the entrance to CTICC 1.

Public Transport

The CTICC is located on two MyCiTi bus public transport routes. The CTICC bus stops are located on Walter Sisulu Ave, near the main entrance of CTICC 1. These stops are serviced by routes 104 and 116, which also run to the popular V&A Waterfront. Visit the MyCiTi website for information on routes, timetables, fares and card sales/top ups.

A dedicated City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off bus stop is also located at Entrance 3 on Walter Sisulu Avenue. Delegates wanting to take the City Sightseeing bus directly from the CTICC can purchase tickets on board. For more information, visit the City Sightseeing website.

Taxi

Metered taxi services are available 24 hours a day and can be booked via their respective call centres or found at one of the city’s metred taxi ranks. Tariffs range between R8 and R15 per kilometre. You can get more information on metered taxi services by contacting the Cape Town’s toll-free, 24/7 Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63.

Ask your taxi driver to pick you up or drop you off at the designated pick-up and drop-off zone outside the main entrance of CTICC 1. You can also make use of accredited taxis at the drop-off and pick-up point in front of CTICC 1. Should you require assistance, enquire with the CTICC reception desk.

Uber is another popular way to travel around the city; visit the Uber website for more information.

Car

All the major car hire companies operate out of Cape Town International Airport and have city depots.

Driving to and parking at the CTICC is simple, with over 1400 secure parking bays. Car park P1 is accessed via the Buitengracht or Walter Sisulu Avenue/Long Street entrance and requires a short walk across Convention Square to enter CTICC 1. Accessible parking bays are available on all levels. P3 is situated in the CTICC 1 basement and is accessed via Heerengracht Street and FW de Klerk Blvd. This parking area has limited accessible parking bays.

Parking is charged at an hourly rate, and guests are required to use the convenient pay-on-foot parking ticket kiosks to pay for their parking. Please visit the CTICC website for more information on parking garage locations and tariffs.

Venue Address

Cape Town International Convention Centre 1 (CTICC 1), Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street, Cape Town, 8001

Venue website: https://www.cticc.co.za/

Information on accessibility can be found on the CTICC website. If you have any specific requirements, please indicate these on your registration form.

International Visitors

Planning Your Arrival

For international passengers, we suggest that you try to allow yourself at least a day in which to adjust to the time difference and relax after your flight before ISHA 2023 commences. Cape Town follows the South Africa Standard Time time zone, which corresponds to UTC/GMT +2 hours.

Entry Requirements and Travel Documents

A visitor’s visa is required for international travellers visiting South Africa temporarily for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.

On entry to South Africa, a visa is considered to be a visitor’s permit. The permit’s period of validity is calculated from the date of entry into the country and will be set out under the heading “conditions” on the visa label.

Please ensure that you apply for the correct visa/permit. Entry into the country may be refused if the purpose of the visit was not correctly stated. Requirements for visitor visas differ from country to country (click here to see which countries are currently exempt), and the requirements are subject to change.

Each application is treated individually. You should make an appointment with your nearest South African consulate. There is a fee charged for processing a visa, so you should check beforehand what this will be.

ISHA 2023 will offer invitation letters to persons who have registered and paid the complete registration fee. The letter will provide proof of registration and proof of payment. It should be understood that an invitation is intended to help potential participants obtain a visa. It is not a commitment on the part of the ISHA 2023 to provide any financial support or to assume any liability for the visa being granted. You may request such a letter from the ISHA 2023 Registration Office at registration@ishaconference.com.

Visas are not issued at South African ports of entry, and airline officials must insist on visas before allowing passengers to board.

For more information, please visit the Cape Town Tourism website.

Insurance

It is strongly recommended that delegates take out adequate travel and health insurance prior to commencement of travel. Further information can be obtained from your travel agent. Delegate registration fees do not provide any such insurance coverage. The Organising Committee and the ISHA Conference Office accept no responsibility for any loss in this regard.

Safety

As in any large city, delegates are advised to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings. For further information, please see the safety tips on the CTICC website, safety awareness tips on the City of Cape Town website and safety FAQs on the Cape Town Tourism website.

Police 10111

Ambulance 10177

City of Cape Town General Emergency 107

Covid-19 Regulations

There are no Covid-19 regulations currently in place for the event. The CTICC’s C19Care© safety protocols have been developed in collaboration with health, tourism and events industry leaders, both locally and abroad, and applies National Department of Health guidelines.

Vaccinations

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

For all other recommended vaccinations and health precautions, please consult your country’s national health advice service.

Banking, Cards and Currency

The currency in South Africa is South African Rand (ZAR). The exchange rate is generally favourable for international travellers. Each rand is comprised of 100 cents, and there are both notes (R10, R20, R50, R100, R200) and coins (5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5) available.

Please note that there is a limit of 25,000ZAR on the amount of currency that can be brought into the country. The limit is US$10,000 (or equivalent) for combinations of cash in other currencies. Currency can be exchanged at most banks, airports and hotels, as well as bureaux de change.

Banking hours in South Africa are generally 08:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:30 on weekdays.

Major credit card brands are widely accepted.

Delegates are strongly advised to use secured ATMs within shopping centres or the CTICC complex. ATMs are located in the foyer of the P3 parking basement and in CTICC 1 on the ground floor, near Entrance 1.

Climate

ISHA 2023 will be taking place during the spring, which tends to be mild and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from 14°C/57°F to 24°C/75°F.

For those planning to extend their stay, please note that inland temperatures may be significantly higher.

Electricity

For South Africa there are four associated plug types: C, D, M and N. Plug type C has two round pins, plug type D has three round pins in a triangular pattern and plug types M and N both have three round pins. South Africa operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Cape Town occasionally experiences power outages due to load shedding.

Language

South Africa has 11 official languages, but English is the lingua franca for day-to-day business. You are also likely to encounter Afrikaans and Xhosa.

Tipping

South Africa has a tipping culture, with tips generally starting at around 10%.

In addition to waiting staff, it is common to tip gas station attendants, car guards/parking attendants, tour guides and drivers, housekeeping staff and porters.

Value Added Tax

The current standard rate of VAT in South Africa is 15%. The standard rate is applicable to almost all goods or services.

There is a VAT refund mechanism for persons visiting South Africa from other countries. The person must submit a claim for a VAT refund at the time of departure or the time the goods are exported from South Africa, subject to certain conditions and requirements listed in Part One of the Export Regulation. The VAT refund only applies to the acquisition of goods and not the acquisition of services, for example VAT paid on transport services.

Driving

Please be reminded that vehicles drive on the left in South Africa. If driving outside of the city, please look out for pedestrians and animals on the road and remain security-conscious. Note that “robot” is the South African term for traffic lights.

Visitor Information

Useful websites for visitors include:

Cape Town Info Sheet