Getting Around Johannesburg: Transport Guide

By Road
Using the road is probably the best option for getting around, since local transport is notoriously unreliable and slow. You can either take your own car, rent or even buy a car in Johannesburg. Car rental companies abound in Jo’burg, both the international companies and cheaper local ones.

If you are looking to buy a car for the length of your stay, scout around in magazines like Junk Mail and newspapers like the Star, which have a motoring supplement. There is a Sunday Car Market in Simmonds Southway, Park central, that is also good. The driving inside Jo’burg can be difficult, with aggressive drivers, but the grid system of the city makes orientation easier. The M1 connects the centre to the suburbs, all the way from Soweto in the southwest, to the northern suburbs and even Pretoria in the north.

Private taxis are also a good option – these cannot be flagged down; they have to be ordered by telephoning.

Minibus taxis are even cheaper than buses, and more flexible, but they have a very poor safety record.

Jo’burg buses leave a lot to be desired, with infrequent services and overcrowding, and almost no service on weekends or after commuting hours. But if you persevere, you should be able to make the best of them. The main bus station is Vanderbijl Square, off Eloff Street.

By Train
The intra-city train system exists, but is not recommended due to its poor service and even poorer reputation.

By foot
Although Jo’burg is generally not a safe city to walk around in (some areas like Hillbrow and Soweto are definitely off limits for the inexperienced), some areas like Yeoville can be easily explored on foot, even after sunset. In the city centre, the danger of theft is always present, so be careful.

By Tours
There are several informative and entertaining tours that are a great way to see the city, since they sidestep all the hassles of crime and problematic public transport. These cover the famous mining history of the city, the posh northern suburb mansions and their history, a fabulous ballooning tour that includes champagne and breakfast and many that take you to surrounding areas like Pretoria, Sun City and Gold Reef city.