Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
The main gateways are OR Tambo International (JNB) in Johannesburg, Cape Town International (CPT) and King Shaka International (DUR) in Durban. From OR Tambo the Gautrain links the airport with Johannesburg and Pretoria, and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt serve all three cities for the trip into town.
- Johannesburg
- OR Tambo (JNB), Gautrain
- Cape Town
- Cape Town Intl (CPT)
- Into town
- Gautrain, Uber, Bolt
- The Gautrain connects OR Tambo with the city
- Uber and Bolt are handy from all main airports
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Public transport varies by city. Cape Town has the MyCiTi bus rapid transit (BRT), Johannesburg has the Gautrain and the Rea Vaya BRT, and city buses run in the larger centres. Minibus taxis are cheap and everywhere, but routes are informal and can be confusing for first-time visitors.
- Cape Town
- MyCiTi BRT
- Johannesburg
- Gautrain, Rea Vaya BRT
- Minibus taxi
- Cheap but informal
- MyCiTi and Rea Vaya are formal BRT systems
- Minibus taxi routes are not clearly signed
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
Transit cards are city-specific rather than a single nationwide card. In Cape Town the MyCiTi myconnect card is loaded with value and tapped on the BRT, while in Johannesburg the Gautrain uses its own Gold Card for the train and airport service. Buy and top up cards at stations, so pick up the card for the city you are visiting.
- Cape Town
- MyCiTi (myconnect) card
- Johannesburg
- Gautrain Gold Card
- Coverage
- City-specific, not nationwide
- Buy and top up cards at stations
- There is no single card covering the whole country
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
South Africa drives on the left (left-hand traffic), and because distances are long, renting a car or flying is common for intercity travel. Renting may require an International Driving Permit and other documents; requirements can change, so please confirm current rules before you travel. Plan fuel stops, avoid driving at night, and take breaks on long routes.
- Traffic
- Left-hand (drive on the left)
- Permit
- IDP and documents may apply
- Care
- Plan fuel, avoid night driving
- Long distances make car hire or domestic flights common
- Please confirm current permit rules before travelling
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Long-distance coaches such as Intercape and Greyhound-style operators link the main cities on comfortable, air-conditioned buses. The Gautrain connects Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo airport, and luxury tourist trains like Rovos Rail offer scenic journeys. Because distances are long, domestic flights are also a common, time-saving option.
- Coaches
- Intercape, Greyhound-style
- Rail
- Gautrain, luxury Rovos Rail
- Also
- Domestic flights for long trips
- Long distances make domestic flights common
- Conventional long-distance rail is limited
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights are well developed and centre on Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT) and Durban (DUR), with carriers such as FlySafair connecting the major cities frequently. Because distances between cities are long, flying is a common and time-saving alternative to driving or long-distance buses. Book ahead for the best fares.
- Hubs
- JNB, CPT, DUR
- Carriers
- FlySafair, others
- Why
- Long distances, saves time
- Domestic flights on FlySafair link major cities frequently
- Book ahead for the best fares
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Use ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt to get around cities easily. For long distances, consider domestic flights to save time, and use the Gautrain around Johannesburg and Pretoria. Avoid driving at night on unfamiliar routes, and book guided tours for safaris rather than self-driving in reserves.
- City
- Uber, Bolt
- Long distance
- Consider domestic flights
- Gauteng
- Use the Gautrain
- Book guided tours for safaris
- Avoid unfamiliar routes at night