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Getting to the City Center from Grand Central Airport

Johannesburg, known as one of the largest and most developed cities in South Africa with a population approaching 5 million, is an important transportation center for the region. The city, which is connected to many destinations of Africa and the world with direct and connecting flights, is also home to the busiest airport of the continent.

Among the transportation options to be used for travelling to the central parts of the city from the airport which is about 23 kilometers of Johannesburg city center, there are buses, taxis, trains, private passenger services and limousines.

Bus is one of the most economical alternatives to travel between the airport and the city center.

Taxis, private passenger services and minibuses are more comfortable than buses, but the fares are also higher when compared to buses.

You can also use the minibus taxis departing from the domestic and international terminals of the airport. If you prefer these vehicles for travelling in the city, we advise you to agree on the fare before your travel.

If you are visiting the city for the first time, the taxis carrying you to your destination are the most comfortable and reliable alternatives. The travel from the airport to the city center lasts about 45 minutes and the taxi fares are not very affordable for this distance. For this reason, local people prefer to use the buses in general. Nevertheless, it can be said that the bus option is a convenient and comfortable means of transportation for foreigners.

If you wish, you can travel to the city center from the airport by train. You can directly go to the train station from the A and B terminals of the airport and then take the road to the city center by train.

If the hotel you are staying at has shuttle service, the hotel shuttles may be another alternative for your transportation. These services are also one of the most comfortable and guaranteed transportation vehicles for those visiting the city for the first time. However, you must first contact your hotel about this issue and make a reservation beforehand if necessary. Fares for these services may be much higher than you expect. For this reason, be sure to get information about the fare before using the airport services.

You can rent a vehicle to travel around the city freely and comfortably. You can get in contact with the car rental offices located at the airport terminal as well as make an online reservation before taking the road. In this way, you can get your vehicle from here after your plane has landed.

There is also the limousine option in Johannesburg for those who want to make their travel between the airport and the city center more comfortable and luxurious. You can make a reservation over the internet and make your driver to wait for you with a luxurious limousine before your plane lands.

If you want to have some rest and spend some time after your plane has landed, remember that restaurants and cafes where you can taste delicious dishes from both South Africa and world cuisine, shops where you can do some shopping, and special passenger lounges where you can have comfortable time are waiting for you.

Bus

In Johannesburg, the first alternative that you can use to travel to the city center from the airport is bus. The buses that you can get on from the gate of both domestic and international flights terminals will take you to the central parts of the city in about 45 minutes and they are among the most preferred transportation vehicles especially by the local people. If you have come to the city many times, you can easily use the buses and reach the city center in a very economical way.

However, if this is your first visit to the city, it is not recommended to use the buses. Instead, you can evaluate other alternatives such as taxi or hotel shuttle to get to your destination comfortably. If you have visited the city before and have information about the roads, renting a car is also a more comfortable option than bus.

Minibus Taxi

Another public transportation alternative that you can use in the city is minibus taxi. Minibuses operating in a similar way with buses are generally preferred by the local people. Minibus taxis do not have a certain tariff. Before you get on a minibus taxi, you should specify your destination and negotiate about the fare. You can use the minibuses to reach the center of the city, but afterwards you have to walk to your hotel or take a taxi.

Taxi

In Johannesburg, the most convenient and comfortable means of transportation between the airport and city center is taxi. However, it is not preferred by the local people because the airport is located approximately 23 kilometers of the city center and requires a higher fare after a travel of 30-45 minutes.

If you are foreign to the city, taxis will be the fastest and safest alternative for you. Taxis are waiting for their passengers at the exit door of the airport terminals. You can get on one of the taxis whose light is on and can quickly get to the city center. In this way, you can safely arrive at your hotel or destination by taxi.

Train

Another option that can be preferred for the transportation between the airport and the city center is train. Thanks to the train station directly connected to the A and B terminals of the airport, you can easily reach the trains after you get off your plane, and star travelling to the city center.

It is possible to reach the train station from A or B terminal by following the directions. After arriving at the center of the city with trains, you can transfer to buses to reach different parts of the city.

Car Rental

It is also possible to rent a car to get to the city center from the airport. Johannesburg's ordered roads and signboards make it easy to find the way. However, if you do not trust yourself in this regard, a map or navigation device that you will take with you before leaving the airport will make everything a lot easier.

Among the car rental companies located in the city there are some well-known alternatives such as AVIS, Europcar and Budget. From one of these companies you can rent a classical or luxurious car according to your needs.

Renting a car is a great option especially for those who want to explore the different parts of the city and nearby places. So, you can travel as you wish in the city without losing any time and route restrictions.

Limousine

You also have the option of renting a limousine to reach the city center from the airport. To rent a limousine, you can make an online reservation before your flight, and you will be picked up at the terminal gate by your private driver after your plane has landed.

Limousines are expensive compared to other options, but you can prefer this option thanks to the privileged, comfortable and convenient service offered to you.

Hotel Shuttles

It is also possible to consider the hotel shuttle services option for traveling between the airport and the city center. You can get in contact with your hotel about these services and enable that the driver waits for you at the airport. These services are very comfortable and directly take you to your hotel without losing time. But you have to be careful about the amount you need to pay for this service.

Hotel shuttle services can be free of charge or they can also demand higher fares. In this regard, you can get detailed information by contacting your hotel before the travel.

Getting to Grand Central Airport from the City Center

Johannesburg which is accepted as one of the most important trade, sports and culture centers of not only South Africa but also the Africa continent and the region is also referred to as the busiest airport of the country. The distance from the airport to the city center is approximately 23 kilometers in the city where a great number of airline companies perform flights every day.

There are many transportation options in this city for visitors. You can benefit from many options such as taxi, bus, minibus taxi, train, car rental, hotel services or limousine to get to the airport from the city center in about 30-45 minutes. Although buses and minibus taxis are the most economical option to get to the airport from the city center, they are not usually recommended for tourists.

Although the taxi is a more expensive alternative, it stands out as the most comfortable and recommended vehicle. It is possible to get to the airport by renting a car or by getting on the trains from the central parts of the city.

Bus

For the transportation from Johannesburg's city center to the airport buses are the most economical alternatives. However, it is generally not recommended if you are visiting the city for the first time because the stops are not very close to the hotels and there is a risk of missing your plane with a possible delay. However, if you want to use the buses to get to the airport, you can get information about this issue from your hotel.

Minibus Taxi

In Johannesburg, minibus taxi is another alternative you can use to get to the airport from the city center. Minibus taxis operate similarly with the buses in the city, but they are usually not licensed. For this reason, if you are considering using a minibus taxi, definitely get information about the routes and fares in advance. In this way, you do not spend too much time on the road and pay too much.

Train

You can also go to the Johannesburg Airport by using the trains departing from the city center. Although train is an extremely convenient and comfortable alternative for those living in the city, it can be a little challenging for those visiting the city for the first time. However, you can consider it as an option to reach the airport from the city center. After arriving at the airport, you can easily catch your plane by using the domestic or international terminals.

Hotel Services

Hotel service may be the most comfortable alternative that you can use to get to the airport from the city center. You can get support from your hotel for the transportation to the airport. However, keep in mind that the cost of these services, which usually operate at certain hours, may be higher than the other alternatives.

If you still want to use the hotel services, you can make a reservation by getting in contact with your hotel the day before your flight and you will be able to reach the airport easily with the vehicle you will take in front of your hotel.

Taxi

You can also travel to the airport by taxi that you can easily find in the city center. For the transportation to Johannesburg Airport, the amount you need to pay is a bit higher compared to taxi. Because the distance between the airport and the city center is not very short, and this is the main reason for the increase in fares. Nevertheless, if you have too much baggage to carry, you should consider taking a taxi and have a comfortable travel. In this way, you can get to the airport easily and catch your flight on time. It is possible to distinguish the taxis in the city thanks to their yellow lights. If you have trouble in finding a taxi, you can also ask for help from your hotel.

Car Rental

You can rent a car in the city to comfortably explore the historical and natural beauties around Johannesburg, and you can also rent a car for going to the airport. Renting a car for travelling to the airport from the city center is an extremely comfortable option for covering the distance of about 23 kilometers. You can rent a car having the features you want from the offices of companies such as AVIS, Europcar and Hertz, and you can deliver your car to their offices located at the airport before boarding your plane. However, if you intend to leave the car in a different place instead of the office you have rented the vehicle from, it is a good idea to specify this when renting the vehicle.

Limousine

In the city, which is one of the most important commercial centers of Africa and the world, renting a limousine is also a popular alternative. There are many different limousine rental services in the city.

You can rent a limousine with the features you want and comfortable travel around the city with your own driver.

You can also prefer limousines for travelling to the airport and you can reach the airport in a much more comfortable and quick way before your flight.

Airport Information

The airport, which connects Johannesburg, considered one of the most important centers of Africa, to the different destinations of the continent and the world, has busy flight traffic in the region. The airport has wireless internet which you can connect to from both domestic and international terminals.

There are restaurants and cafes where you can eat or drink something before or after your flight, stores and a duty-free shop where you can do some shopping. ATMs are also available next to the stores in the international terminal and the domestic terminal.

At the airport, there are also bank offices for performing money transactions, a chapel and prayer room for worshipers, and a conference room for those travelling for business purpose. There is also a post office in the international terminal of the airport.

There is also a store that sells phones and accessories at the airport. The airport also has currency exchange offices and car rental offices where you can rent cars. You can check your flight information from the boards and kiosks located at different points of the airport and you can handle your online check-in process.

Weather in Johannesburg

DayMin - Max
WednesdayMin 16ºC - Max 24ºC
ThursdayMin 15ºC - Max 25ºC
FridayMin 15ºC - Max 25ºC
SaturdayMin 17ºC - Max 24ºC
SundayMin 17ºC - Max 22ºC

Frequently Asked Questions

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