South Africa Transport Guide: Airports, Gautrain, Self-Drive & Ride-Hailing
Transport Guide
2026-10-03
0 views
Master airport transfers, urban transit, ride-hailing, and left-hand driving, and traveling around South Africa becomes stress-free.
Arrival & Airports
| Airport | City | Ways into Town |
|---|
| OR Tambo (JNB) | Johannesburg | Gautrain rapid transit, Uber, airport shuttle |
| Cape Town (CPT) | Cape Town | MyCiTi bus, Uber, taxi |
| King Shaka (DUR) | Durban | Uber, taxi |
| George (GRJ) | Garden Route | Mainly car rental and self-drive |
Urban Transport
- Gautrain: A fast rail link connecting Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the airports — safe and comfortable.
- MyCiTi: Cape Town’s rapid bus system; you’ll need to buy a myconnect card.
- Uber / Bolt: The top choices for getting around cities, with transparent pricing — avoid hailing random taxis on the street.
- Minibuses: Common among locals but with complex routes for tourists and safety concerns; not recommended for casual use.
Intercity Travel & Self-Driving
- Johannesburg – Cape Town: Around 2 hours by plane, the best option for long distances.
- Garden Route: Renting a car and driving from Cape Town or Port Elizabeth is most convenient, with good road conditions.
- Long-distance buses: Companies like Intercape and Greyhound connect major cities; be cautious with overnight buses.
- South Africa drives on the left; for car rental, you’ll need an international driver’s license or an English-notarized license. Most gas stations are full-service.
Tips
- Distances between attractions are large; it’s advisable to keep daily driving under 300 kilometers.
- When parking, opt for secure, attended parking lots and never leave valuables visible in your car.
- For airport-to-city transfers, use official taxis or ride-hailing apps.