jaa37

Hi Fodorites -- we'll have between an 8- and 10-hour layover in Johannesburg next summer, and we're trying to decide what to do with the extra time. Our flight out leaves around midnight, and we have two options for our flight into Joberg: the more expensive flight lands at 1:30, while the cheaper flight gets in at 3:15. We've been told the Apartheid Museum is amazing -- is it worth paying a little more and arriving a little earlier to make sure we can visit? Looks like it closes at 5. Any other thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

atravelynn

Depending on the difference in the cost of the flights, I tend to go for it when an opportunity like what you are describing presents itself.

If a return trip in the next few years is in the plans, then you could take the less expensive flight and put the savings toward the Apartheid Museum next time.

Also consider the cost of transport to/from the museuem to get the true cost of what this opportunity will run. That's assuming you'd be doing nothing that costs additional funds if you arrived at 3:15.

Finally, would the departure times from where you are flying out of be equally convenient for either of the landing times?

Your "little" and others' "little" might differ, but for my "little" I think I'd do it.

jaa37

I probably shouldn't have called it "a little" -- $75 or so for each of us -- but in the context of a two-week honeymoon, it seems like a relatively small amount of money. (Turns out honeymoons can be pretty pricey. Who knew?) The departure time works either way.
I figure going to the museum, probably on a tour, will cost $50 or $60 pp, so it's not an insignificant amount of money. But we may not be back in Joberg for many years, if ever, and if we take the later flight and land at 3:15, we'll probably end up staying at the airport or going to the casino nearby or something -- not nearly as memorable.

sandi

Going to the casino can cost you whatever savings you hoped to garner.

jeroenvm

No need for a tour - just store your baggage (if it's not a long layover) and arrange a taxi in advance (for example with reliable Rose Taxis, www.rosetaxis.com). The taxi would cost perhaps R250-350 to get there. It's about 25 minutes from the airport with no traffic problems. After the museum (open till 5 on Tue-Sun, count on 2-3 hours to do it justice!) you could then order another taxi (or ask the same guy to return) to take you to Newtown, Melville, Rosebank or Sandton for dinner. Leave there around 9 or 9.30 and you'll be well in time for the next flight.

atravelynn

If you ended up losing around $200 at the casino, I would think you'd be disappointed in yourselves for not putting that money to better (IMO) use.

If the additional cost is putting you over budget and you would not drop that sum on something else, then I can understand how you have to draw a line and just say no to any more activities and expenses, no matter how worthwhile.

jaa37

Thanks for all the replies. We're leaning towards taking the early flight to see the museum, but if we end up on the later flight, should we still venture out for a few hours? One commenter suggested dinner in Newtown, Sandton, etc. -- maybe that's a good option.

jeroenvm

With just a few hours, you could go to Sandton and back for dinner (by sleek new airport train) where there's plenty of choice, but this is essentially an upmarket mall, not very Africa. Consider taking a taxi to Newtown to visit Gramadoela's (African) restaurant, in the Museum Africa / Market Theatre complex. The immediate area is lively and fine for a short walk.

loru100

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was surprised how nice the Johannesburg airport is. They have lots of shops and we spent our layover from Botswana shopping. So if you have to stay in the airport, it's a pretty nice place!