This summer, I will be traveling with a group to Swaziland, and will be spending about 2 days in Johannesburg on my own. I will more than likely stay at one of the hotels near the airport that has a shuttle to and from the airport. If possible, I would like to have some mobility to see some of Johannesburg. I saw that Johannesburg has a commuter train system, and it looks like there is a station at the airport. Is it possible to take my airport shuttle from my hotel to the airport, and then catch the Gautrain there to explore the city more? If so, where around the airport is the Gautrain station?
I'm from a medium-sized city where there is no extensive public transport system, and I don't travel much, and so I'm looking for the easiest way to get around Johannesburg for a novice.
Thanks so much for any help!
OR Tambo Gautrain
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I can't help you regarding getting around Johannesburg as on our last trip (last week) we rented a car to/from JNB airport.
Instead of staying at the airport, consider staying in Sandton city. It is only about 20 mins from OR Tambo on the Gautrain and runs frequently during the peak hours, the rail journey is quite expensive though, considering the short journey. Hotels such as the Protea Balalaika have a free shuttle service from Sandton Gautrain station to their hotel, just call them on arrival.
The Gautrain station is well signposted at JNB airport arrivals, you need to go up an escalator to reach the station, it is all very high tech and brand new, very impressive.
If you stay at a Sandton city hotel, you could arrange some tours to explore JNB. On a Sunday you can take the Gautrain to Rosebank for the African Market. I think for a two day stay, staying at Sandton or Rosebank is a better option than 2 days at an airport hotel. At least in the evening you can walk around Nelson Mandela Square and find a restaurant for dinner (although the Protea Balalaika has an excellent restaurant of it's own, the Bull Run).
"The Gautrain station is well signposted at JNB airport arrivals" - to clarify I mean it is signposted once you are landside.
Thanks so much! I appreciate all the advice, and I will look into what you've suggested! I've never been much of a big traveler, but I am a planner, and I like to know what to expect. I appreciate it very much!
I too think you'll enjoy staying in Sandton more than an airport hotel. Sandton City mall has lots of restaurants, lots of people watching, etc. It also has what I think is the ugliest statue of Nelson Mandela, but it's fun to see it anyway.
Celia