Is the Gautrain Safe? A Solo Traveller's Guide to Johannesburg's Airport Train

Fresh off the overnight flight, Gautrain platform OR Tambo Johannesburg Airport

I have visited Johannesburg many times for work and to visit family; it is a city I know and love, and yet I never (until recently) took the Gautrain from Johannesburg Airport to the city centre. I wrote this guide after my first time on the Gautrain. I took a lot of notes and wanted to share them with anyone considering taking OR Tambo’s rail link to Rosebank.

If you are travelling in daylight hours and staying in Sandton or the Rosebank area (or close to a Gautrain station), Johannesburg’s airport train is convenient, fast, and safe. If you are travelling solo in Johannesburg and considering how to get from OR Tambo Airport to Sandton, this is the cheaper option, marginally. I also found it easy to use and quicker than a road transfer. 

Where to find the Gautrain station at OR Tambo Airport:

The train station is on Level 3 of Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. You don’t even have to leave the building; take the lift or elevator and follow the signs. 

How to buy tickets for the Gautrain in Johannesburg:

I arrived around 11 am. The stations at both ends were well staffed and, outside commuter hours, hardly anyone was travelling. You can buy tickets in several ways: at ticket machines within any station, at the ticket offices, or with your contactless card (Visa/MasterCard) at the turnstile. I paid ZAR240 for a single pay-as-you-go journey from the airport to Rosebank, plus the rechargeable Gautrain card (ZAR21) (you don’t need to buy this if you have a contactless card).

Price comparison Gautrain versus  Uber/taxi/private transfer:

An Uber from the airport to Sandton/Rosebank costs roughly ZAR320 vs my ZAR240 Gautrain fare. A private transfer from OR Tambo, with a meet-and-greet in the Arrivals hall, costs ZAR1000. Fares are calculated based on your journey time and distance; you can check exact fares on the Gautrain website here.

How often does Johannesburg’s airport train run:

The airport train runs every 10-minutes (peak periods) and 20 minutes (off-peak periods). The Gautrain operates daily between 05h30 and 20h30. Check timings and schedule here, or download the app for live train info. Signs on the platform also show when the next train will depart. I’m not sure I would have felt as safe taking the train after dark, but that’s a personal thing! 

How long is the airport train journey to/ from Sandton:

Before my trip, I looked into the different ways to get from OR Tambo Airport to Sandton. The journey from the airport to Sandton takes 15 mins direct. For comparison, by car, it would take around 30-50 minutes, depending on the time of day/ traffic. 

How long is the airport journey to/from Rosebank:

To get from the airport to Rosebank, take the train to Sandton (15 minutes), then change to the other line direct to Rosebank (10 minutes). The change was easy; staff were very present and helped me find the elevator and the correct platform. 

Is it safe to take Johannesburg’s Gautrain airport train?:

I travelled solo as a female traveller, and felt very safe. The station was spotlessly clean, brightly lit, and staff in high-vis jackets were everywhere I looked. You can't enter stations without a ticket. CCTV surveillance is in place on trains and in stations. 

What’s the train journey like from the airport to Rosebank?:

The Gautrain travels above the roads, so you get slightly elevated views of the city: wide motorways, residential clusters, malls, and surprisingly, green hills (in May, after rains). 

Getting from Rosebank Gautrain station to the hotel:

I was staying in Rosebank. I panicked a bit when I arrived at Rosebank station as I hadn’t made a note of the exit to take. Thankfully, there is WIFI in the Gautrain station, so I logged on to double-check (in hindsight, I could also have asked staff for directions). So, note to you: find out which exit you need from the Gautrain station; there are a few. I walked straight out of the exit into a pedestrianised precinct, fully monitored by security officers. From there it was a 5-minute walk to where I was staying, The Hyde, one of my favourite hotels in Johannesburg, and a real treat! I later learned that the hotel offers a golf buggy pick-up service, so if you have luggage and/or want to be met, that’s a great option. The Rosebank precinct is a great base, with several cafés, restaurants, and shopping on your doorstep. 

Getting from Sandton Gautrain station to the hotel:

Again, depending on your hotel, you can walk or take an Uber. In Sandton, I stayed with my family; we chose the Garden Court Sandton. Mainly because we wanted to experience Sandton, and their reasonably priced Standard Rooms sleep a family of four in two double beds, plus it was an easy 10-minute walk to the Gautrain station. 

I hope that helps other travellers deciding how to get from Johannesburg Airport to Rosebank or Sandton.

Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg? Check out my Best Hotels in Johannesburg post.  

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