Getting around in Johannesburg

Getting around in Johannesburg is no easy feat owing to the city’s inadequate public transport infrastructure. As with so much else in Johannesburg, how people get around depends largely on their economic status.

Many of the city’s better-off citizens use private cars, while the working-class residents mostly use public transport. More commuters are now using the Gautrain, which runs between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The city also intends to spend billions over the next decade improving, integrating, and expanding its public transport network to reduce traffic congestion.

Driving in Johannesburg

Owning a car in Johannesburg is necessary for anyone who wants complete freedom of movement. Cars in South Africa drive on the left side of the road, which means that the driver’s seat is on the right side of the car.

They are also, more often than not, manual transmissions. Additionally, if you want to register a car in Johannesburg, you should do so with patience – lines at traffic departments are often long, and it isn’t unheard of to go back several times because of the city’s notorious bureaucracy. That said, most dealerships will register your vehicle for you for a fee when buying a new car, ensuring you avoid the bureaucracy.

Security is a priority for the city’s drivers since vehicle break-ins, hijackings and smash-and-grabs are known to occur. Expats should at least invest in an alarm with anti-hijacking features and ensure that their doors are locked, that their windows stay rolled up and that their valuables are kept out of sight.

At the same time, residents should exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings. Many locals and expats avoid driving in high-risk areas in the inner city and certain townships, especially at night. There are, however, safe areas to travel in, and many people never have to deal with serious crime, but it’s always better to be cautious.

Expats planning to drive should note that Joburg drivers often drive fast and recklessly, with minibus taxis generally being the worst offenders in this respect. For this reason, it’s vital to stay aware and ready to react at all times, especially when driving on the highway.

Until you are granted permanent residence, you can legally drive in South Africa using your home country’s valid driver’s licence as long as it has your photograph and is in English. After that, you have one year to convert your driver’s licence to a South African one. If your driver’s licence doesn’t meet these requirements, you can use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead.

Buying a Car in South Africa

Useful links

• South African Government Information Services – Convert Foreign Driving Licence

Public transport in Johannesburg

Trains

Trains in Johannesburg are operated by Metrorail, the state’s passenger rail service. The network is fairly extensive and connects the city to other parts of the country. Unfortunately, it doesn’t reach some areas expats are likely to live in, such as Sandton, Rosebank and Randburg.

If you’re interested in using Metrorail, you should be advised that pickpocketing is not uncommon, especially during peak periods, and valuables shouldn’t be openly displayed. While Metrorail trains occasionally run late and are vulnerable to strikes in the transport sector, they are an affordable and easily accessible way of getting around the Greater Johannesburg area.

Gautrain

Sandton, the new central business district, does have access to an alternative means of rail transport. Initially intended to be built in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Gautrain project was completed in June 2012. Running for around 50 miles (80km), it forms a mass rapid transit railway system that connects the Johannesburg CBD, Sandton, the OR Tambo International Airport, Midrand, Centurion, and Pretoria.

Regular passengers can purchase a Gautrain card for a nominal fee to access parking, shuttle bus and train services. During peak periods on weekdays, trains run at 10-minute intervals, while they run every 20 minutes during off-peak hours and on weekends and public holidays.

Buses

The Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network opened its first route in 2009 and has expanded in phases since then. The system currently runs through areas in and around the city, and also runs a line between Johannesburg and Soweto. While several strikes have halted services in the past, it is one of the safest and most efficient modes of public transport in Joburg.

The Johannesburg Metrobus, on the other hand, consists of over 130 routes that service commuters across the Greater Johannesburg area, fanning out in all directions from the city centre. Due to outdated buses and the availability of more attractive options, patronage has been declining for numerous years. Plans are in place to revitalise the service.

Minibus taxis

Minibus taxis are the most common form of public transport in Johannesburg. They follow an informal route system, picking up passengers at various terminals and the side of the road. Passengers flag them down using a variety of hand signals to indicate their desired destination, and the taxi either stops or drives past depending on whether their destination is on its route.

Minibus taxis in Johannesburg are typically loud and overcrowded and are notorious for disregarding road rules. They are, however, the most readily available form of transport serving the country’s working-class majority. Expats are unlikely to take one, although if they choose to, locals are normally willing to help with getting into the right one.

Useful links

• Metrorail
• Gautrain
• Metro Bus
• Rea Vaya

Taxis in Johannesburg

Although the most reliable way of getting a reputable taxi in good condition is by calling one of several cab companies in Johannesburg, metered taxis are available throughout the city and can be flagged down. Passengers should ensure that the driver switches his meter on or that a flat fare is negotiated before embarking. Tips aren’t expected but are always appreciated.

Many Joburg locals and expats use ride-hailing services such as Uber to get around town because of their competitive prices and reliability.

Useful links

• Uber
• Bolt

Cycling in Johannesburg

Although the City of Johannesburg has been introducing cycling infrastructure such as bicycle lanes, cycling has not yet taken off as a popular form of transport in the city. The city’s minibus taxis also make cycling a dangerous way to travel, as they are prone to attempt to speed past traffic jams using any available space on the road – including cycle lanes.

Many cycling clubs are available for those looking to cycle recreationally, and mountain biking is also popular in the city.

Walking in Johannesburg

Given its size, it is unlikely that expats will walk to work in Johannesburg. Walking alone in downtown Johannesburg isn’t recommended, especially at night. The northern suburbs, where most expats stay, are safe for the most part. As is the case when driving, expats should keep their valuables out of sight.