Johannesburg Transportation

Getting There

Air

Johannesburg International Airport (JIA) (http://www.johannesburg-jnb.com/) has six terminals providing service from the following airlines:

Air France (+27 0860 340 340 / http://www.airfrance.com/) British Airways (+27 011 441 8600 / http://www.britishairways.com/) Delta Airlines ( +27 011 482 4582 / http://www.delta.com/) Egyptair (+27 011 390 2202 / http://www.egyptair.com.eg/) Emirates Airlines (+27 011 883 8420 / http://www.emirates.com/) KLM (+27 0860 247 747 / http://www.klm.com/) Lufthansa (+27 0860 572 573 / http://www.lufthansa.com/) Northwest Airlines (+27 0860 247 747 / http://www.nwa.com/) Qantas (+27 011 441 8550 / http://www.qantas.com.au/) Swissair (+27 0860 04 05 06 / http://www.swiss.com/) Thai Airways (+27 011 883 9068 / http://www.thaiair.com/) South African Airways (+27 0860 359 722 / http://ww1.flysaa.com/) SA Express (+27 011 978 5577 / http://www.saexpress.co.za/)

From the Airport

Taxi & Shuttle: Taxi services can be found outside the arrivals area of JIA. The journey to the center of Johannesburg should take between 30 and 45 minutes. For groups of up to 12 passengers, there is a minibus service from the same location and shuttle buses from most of the nearby hotels that will await you.

Car Rentals: Avis (+27 11 934 0330 / http://www.avis.fr/) Budget (+27 11 380 3140 / http://www.budget.fr/) Europcar (+27 11 934 2265 / http://www.europcar.fr/) Hertz (+27 11 386 1560 / http://www.hertz.fr/)

Train

There are various train services in Johannesburg. Some of the most popular include the Blue Train, Rovos Rail, Spier Vintage Train, and Outenigua Choo Tjoe. Train service can usually be booked through the Mainline Passenger Service Call Center (086 000 8888 / http://www.spoornet.co.za/).

Bus

The Greyhound station (+27 011 336 9184 / http://www.greyhound.co.za/) is located at the corner of Polly and Church street. Station hours are Mon - Fri: 6:30a - 11:30a / 1:30p - 4:30p and Sat - Sun: 6:30a - 11:30a. BazBus (http://www.bazbus.com/) is also an option while traveling in Johannesburg.

Car

From the northern South African cities, take route M1 or M18 south. From the southern cities, take route M11 or M7 north. From the west, follow route M18 east and from the east, take N12 west.

Getting Around

Public Transport

Metrobus (011 403 4300 / http://www.mbus.co.za/) is owned by the City of Johannesburg, and is the second largest municipal bus operator in South Africa, with 460 buses covering 80 routes. Visit the website for schedule information.

Planning a Trip

Arriving

By Plane -- Most flights to South Africa arrive at Johannesburg International Airport, now known as O.R. Tambo International Airport (tel. 011/921-6262, or 086/727-7888 for flight inquiries), Africa's busiest hub, and now extensively expanded and upgraded in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament. (Note that even if your baggage has been checked through to another South African destination, you must pick up your luggage and clear Customs continuing to your connecting flight.) The Gauteng Tourism Authority has a branch in the airport's International Arrivals hall (tel. 011/390-3614; daily 6am-10pm). Foreign exchange is available 24 hours and there are many credit-card-friendly ATMs.

The Gautrain, South Africa's first-ever rapid rail system, linking the airport to Sandton Station, is due to be completed by the end of 2009 or early 2010; the airport link will be similar to that offered by other major international airports, and the price of a trip is estimated at press time to be around R80.

If you prefer a door-to-door service from the airport, prebook a shuttle for the 30- to 40-minute drive to the northern suburbs. Taxi lines queue up directly outside the exit, and drivers will approach you as you walk through Customs; at the risk of sounding paranoid, I'd avoid getting into a vehicle with a stranger in this city. Either shell out for the rates charged by your hotel or host (prices are included in reviews) or prebook. If you're on a budget, the best deal in the city is a prebooked Monane's Shuttle (tel. 012/323-7706, after hours 072/251-5156 or 083/770-5757; monashuttle@yahoo.com): Transfers to Sandton/Rosebank area cost R230/250, every additional passenger R50. You will be met by a driver with your name on a board at Arrivals; if you'd like assistance withdrawing foreign currency from an ATM on arrival, ask the driver. Alternatively, big outfit Ulysses (www.ulysses.co.za) offers reliable and efficient transfers to Sandton for R300 (R320 for two); again, they meet-and-greet at Arrivals.

By Train -- If you have to recover from jet lag (or simply have a penchant for being rocked to sleep), I can think of nothing better than trundling to Cape Town by train, particularly on the legendary Blue Train or the even more luxurious Rovos Rail. Alternatively, choose to arrive in Gauteng this way. Both roll in to Tshwane (Pretoria) from Cape Town (taking around 28 hr.). Rovos also operates other luxury trips throughout the country and as far afield as Dar es Salaam. If you like the romance of rail but can't face the steep fares, a good option is to book the Premier Classe coupe from Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth on Shozoloza Meyl, South Africa's main-line passenger services (tel. 086/000-8888; www.spoornet.co.za). Warning: Because Johannesburg's Park Station is a major center for people arriving from all over Africa, the consequent rich pickings for criminals have made it a hot area, so watch your belongings when you alight, and prebook a transfer to your host/hotel or with Monane's Shuttle.

By Car -- Traveling by car in Johannesburg is nerve-wracking, and because the city is almost entirely flat, there are very few landmarks, so getting lost is virtually guaranteed. It's best to fly or train into the city, then use taxis, tour guides, and/or hotel transfers for the duration of your stay.

Visitor Information

Besides the office in the airport, the Gauteng Tourism Authority has its head office opposite the Market Theatre in Newtown (1 Central Place, corner of Jeppe and Henry Nxumalo sts.; tel. 011/832-2780 or 011/639-1600; www.gauteng.net) -- part of the regeneration of downtown Jozi.

Getting Around

By Car -- Besides the completion of the long-awaited Gautrain (the rapid rail service that will ultimately link the airport to the city and Tshwane), public transport remains sketchy and, after hours, nonexistent. Getting around Johannesburg is best done by car, but self-driving is not a good idea: Jo'burg drivers are notoriously impatient, as the myriad skid marks on the roads will attest, and you will need an excellent map and innate sense of direction. If you're comfortable with self-driving, all the major car hire companies are represented here. Those heading off on an independent safari might want to look at Britz Africa (tel. 011/396-1860; www.britz.co.za). They specialize in fully equipped four-wheel-drives (with tents on the roof and cooking equipment) and camper vans, and will pick you up at the airport. Hire a Land Rover (contact Neil Kemp, tel. 011/608-3442 or 082/929-9237; www.hirealandrover.co.za) rents a wide range of "Landies" in good condition.

By Taxi -- Taxis generally don't cruise the streets, so you'll have to call for one. Try Rose Taxi (tel. 011/403-9625) and Maxi Taxi (tel. 011/648-1212). In Tshwane, call Rixi Mini Cabs (tel. 012/325-8072) or SA Taxi (tel. 012/320-2075). Charges are around R9 to R10 per kilometer.

Staying Safe

Crime -- much of it violent and senseless -- forms the mainstay of conversation among Jozi's privileged and poor. While the government insists that crime statistics are improving, the city is a hothouse for those who have realized that the easiest way to make it is to take it, as is evidenced in the plethora of private security companies and fortresslike barricading of homes and businesses. Johannesburg continues to have some of the highest incidences of crime in the world, and visitors are strongly urged to keep on their toes. Carjackings are less common now, but keep your car doors locked while traveling and windows up. Don't get suckered into stopping your vehicle for strangers; scams involving mock accidents and breakdowns are designed to lure unsuspecting Samaritans. If you sense a potential threat, keep in mind that crossing against a red light -- carefully, of course -- is allowed. Don't leave valuables in plain sight in the car, even when you're in it, and it's a good idea to be alert at traffic lights; pay attention to what's going on around you.

Generally speaking, inconspicuous consumption is the order of the day: People who have nothing worth stealing are less likely to attract criminals. Don't carry or wear anything of obvious value (though some say it's worth carrying a small sum of cash to satisfy a demand), and don't look lost. Hillbrow, Berea, and Yeoville are no-go areas unless you're accompanied by a guide who is totally familiar with the area and prepared to walk tall. If you are ever mugged, don't protest -- hand over the goods or money and walk away.

If this sort of talk makes you nervous, it may be wise to tour in a group with a guide. Alternatively, you can book one of the lodging options recommended below -- situated in Jo'burg's safest areas -- and spend your time like the locals, sampling the city's many fine restaurants and shopping.