Johannesburg - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Uber is preferred for local trips, and its pretty cheap. The Gautrain is an option between Pretoria and Joburg. - Aug 2023
Public transportation is off-limits due to crime and safety concerns. Uber is acceptable, but take the usual safety precautions to avoid losing your phone to a snatch-and-grab robbery. - Aug 2022
Absolutely not. The only safe transit option is the Gautrain, and even there not all stations are safe (I have never seen Park Station). And it's not cheap, as a ride to the airport is something like R200. - Jun 2022
Mostly no on "safe" and yes on "affordable." Most people rely on Uber. Do not take yellow taxis, minibuses, etc. The Gautrain, which runs from Joburg to both the airport and Pretoria is safe, clean, and dependable. Mission personnel use it with great frequency, especially to go to the airport. An accident on the highway (a regular occurrence) can turn a 20 minute car trip to the airport into an 1.5 hour ordeal. With Gautrain, the trip from Sandton station to the airport is always 15 minutes. You can't beat it. - Oct 2019
The Gautrain is safe, other public transportation is not recommended. We use Uber a lot throughout South Africa, and it's safe and convenient. - Apr 2017
gautrain is new and safe to get to the airport and pretoria. local taxis buses aren't safe, but private taxis in the form of cars are okay. popular taxi compnies include Rose Taxi and First for Women. - Aug 2011
Local taxis or buses are NOT used by Americans. There are other taxi services that are okay like Rose taxi an taxi for Women (pink cars). The Gautrain just opened and it might be good to get to the airport, etc. and cheaper than taxis. - Jul 2010
The local taxis vans are INSANE! The locals take them. They have no rules and drive on the side of the road to pass you. There are new buses--not sure how that is going. The trains are being built for the World Cup. - Oct 2009
