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Arrival
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Johannesburg's large
international airport
(flight information tel 011 975 9963), once known as Jan Smuts, lies 20km east of the city. There's a range of options for getting from the airport into the city or suburbs. Of the scheduled
bus services
, Impala (every 45min 6.15am-10pm; 30min) will take you to Park station in the city for around R50. If your destination is the northern suburbs, you'll find it easier to take the Magic Bus (every 30min 5.30am-9.30pm; 30min), which costs about R75. Get tickets for both services at the companies' desks in the Parkade building, just outside the domestic arrivals foyer.
The more expensive hotels often provide courtesy buses , while most backpackers' hostels and some smaller guesthouses or B&Bs arrange pick-ups . Depending on your length of stay, these may be free; otherwise they tend to cost no more than the scheduled bus service. Touting at the airport by backpackers' hostels has been aggressive at times recently - sidestep the mayhem by booking in advance. Taking a taxi from the airport is convenient and safe, but be sure to take a metered Johannesburg airport taxi or a reputable tour/transfer operator and make certain the driver knows where you're going before you set off. Plenty of taxi touts hang around the airport - you can usually discuss a price quite civilly with them. The desk in the centre of the international arrivals terminal can give you some advice if you're uncertain about the options. Be prepared to pay at least R150 per person for most destinations. If you want to prearrange a taxi, Airport Link (tel 011 792 2017) charges around R165 for the first person and R45 for each additional passenger.
Greyhound (tel 011 830 1301), Intercape (tel 012 654 4114) and Translux (tel 011 774 3333)
buses
and
intercity trains
(tel 086 000 8888) arrive at Park station in the centre of town. Once notoriously unsafe, Park station has been significantly improved in recent years, and the main concourse is big, open and safe, with information desks for all the bus companies and various fast-food outlets. From Park station, you're best off - and safest - taking a taxi to your final destination or arranging a pick-up with your accommodation. While buses and minibuses run from the station to virtually everywhere, finding out about them can be confusing, and waiting around outside the station - especially surrounded by luggage - can be risky. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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South Africa,
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