Get the practical side of a Gauteng trip right and everything else gets easier. This hub covers where to base yourself and how to move between Johannesburg, Pretoria and the airport, including the Gautrain, the fastest and easiest option for most visitors.
Where to stay, by traveller
- Business and luxury: Sandton (“Africa’s richest square mile”) and Rosebank. Walkable, central, on the Gautrain.
- Quiet and leafy: Pretoria’s eastern suburbs (Brooklyn, Waterkloof) and Joburg’s northern suburbs.
- Green escapes: guesthouses and lodges near the Cradle of Humankind and Hartbeespoort Dam, within an hour of the city.
- Budget and backpacker: Melville and Maboneng in Joburg; near the universities in Pretoria.
Browse Hotels and Accommodation for current options.
Getting around: the Gautrain
The Gautrain is a fast, safe, modern rail service linking O.R. Tambo International Airport, Sandton, Rosebank, Midrand, Centurion, Pretoria and Hatfield, with a feeder bus network. For visitors it’s the best way to get from the airport to Sandton (about 15 minutes) and to move between Joburg and Pretoria without driving. Trains run on a North-South line (Park to Hatfield) and a dedicated airport service via Marlboro; you tap a reloadable Gautrain card to travel. Fares are distance- and peak-based. Use the official fare calculator at gautrain.co.za, or the Gautrain trip planner on this page for routes, journey times and an indicative fare. Peak fares apply roughly 06:00 to 08:30 and 15:00 to 18:30 on weekdays.
Other ways to get around
- Ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt) is widely used and the easiest door-to-door option.
- Car hire gives the most flexibility for the Cradle, Hartbeespoort and game reserves; the road network is good but traffic peaks hard.
- Gautrain buses extend the train to areas around the stations.
More in our Gautrain and public transit section.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from O.R. Tambo Airport to Sandton?
The Gautrain airport service is fastest (about 15 minutes) and runs directly; ride-hailing is the alternative.
Do I need a car in Gauteng?
Not if you’re staying around the Gautrain nodes. You do for the Cradle, Hartbeespoort and game reserves.
How much is the Gautrain?
It depends on distance and time of day. Use the official calculator or the planner on this page; airport trips cost more because of an airport premium.
Planning what to do once you’re settled? Start at the Gauteng Travel Hub or see the Events and Weekend Guide.