Johannesburg

Vibrant city life meets rich history

Johannesburg stands as South Africa’s largest city and a major economic center on the continent. Known for its dynamic skyline, it features modern office towers alongside historic buildings that tell stories of gold rushes and political change. The city is home to vibrant neighborhoods where diverse cultures meet in markets, restaurants and street life. Museums and art galleries display both local heritage and global influences. Parks provide green spaces amid urban growth, while nearby natural reserves offer wildlife viewing opportunities just a short drive away.

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City in South Africa

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.7

General Safety:	3
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken in Johannesburg, and most locals can communicate fluently. It's the primary language in business and tourism, ensuring smooth interactions for English-speaking visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 28 Oct 2026

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Johannesburg Summary

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Strong in history and urban culture. Visit important museums, explore creative neighborhoods, learn about apartheid history and enjoy modern restaurants.

Place score

6.4

Best at:

Large cities

Museums

Historic sites

Guided tours

Luxury

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

🕌 9

Halal

🌈 8

LGBTQ+

South Africa – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type M Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	South African Rand (ZAR) £1 ≈ ZAR 22.10
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in South Africa, and credit cards are commonly used in most establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in South Africa, with 10-15% being the standard in restaurants. Small tips for taxis and hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, including parks and beaches. However, it is generally prohibited in public spaces like streets.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Designated smoking zones are available in certain locations.

Freedom Day (27 April)	Celebrates South Africa's first democratic elections
Christmas (25 December)	A major festive holiday in the country

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 10111 (Police), 10177 (Ambulance), 112 (from mobile phones)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	South Africa is famous for its wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and rich cultural diversity. It offers a wide range of travel experiences from safaris to coastal adventures.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Johannesburg, South Africa

🌦️

Jan

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Feb

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Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - May, Oct. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	4 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rainy season October to March with short afternoon thunderstorms, dry sunny winter May to September

Safaris in nearby Kruger and Pilanesberg are best June to October in the dry season

Late December to mid January: many locals travel to the coast, some shops and restaurants close

Don't miss

🏛️ Learn South Africa’s history at the Apartheid Museum
🏠 Take a guided tour of Soweto and visit Mandela House
🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from the Carlton Centre top floor
🎨 Explore vibrant street art and galleries in Maboneng Precinct
🦴 Visit the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage archaeological site
🍷 Sample fusion cuisine and local wines at Melrose Arch

You've been here?

Why travel to Johannesburg?

Joburg is a city that surprises you with its energy and depth. It's home to important historical sites like the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, bustling markets and a thriving arts scene. You can enjoy everything from immersive history lessons to trendy neighborhoods and buzzing nightlife. Just be aware of safety and avoid walking in certain areas after dark.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Gold Reef City
2 Constitution Hill
3 Johannesburg Art Gallery
4 Apartheid Museum
5 Vilakazi Street
6 Maboneng Precinct

🎡Places for activities

1 Johannesburg Zoo
2 Gold Reef City Theme Park
3 Lion & Safari Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
2 Maropeng Cradle of Humankind Museum. The Tumulus building
3 Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
4 The Wilds Nature Reserve
5 Emmarentia Dam
6 Delta Park
7 Golden Harvest Park
8 Braamfontein Spruit Trail
9 Melville Koppies
10 Zoo Lake

🛍️Shopping

1 PEP
2 Eastgate Shopping Centre
3 The Zone @ Rosebank
4 Market on Main
5 44 Stanley
6 Nelson Mandela Square
7 Neighbourgoods Market
8 Rosebank Mall
9 Sandton City
10 Fourways Mall

🎈Events

Joburg Carnival
Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival
Arts Alive Festival
Soweto Wine Festival
RMB Turbine Art Fair
FNB Joburg Art Fair
City of Gold Festival (Street Art)
International Comedy Festival
Locrate Market in Soweto
Spring Fiesta Music Festival

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Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Never walk alone at night; use Uber or taxis.
Keep car doors locked and valuables hidden to avoid smash-and-grab thefts at traffic lights.
Stick to safe areas like Sandton, Rosebank; avoid city centre after dark due to high crime.
Join guided tours for Soweto or Apartheid Museum; private security enhances safety in tourist zones.

How to travel to Johannesburg

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the main hub, offering many international flights. You can also reach Johannesburg by bus or train from other South African cities. The Gautrain provides a quick airport-city connection.

Access summary

From O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB): Gautrain or taxi, about 30–45 minutes.
From Cape Town: Direct flights to Johannesburg usually around 2 hours.
From Durban: Frequent flights about 1 hour; intercity buses 7–8 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Johannesburg

Accommodation options are diverse, from luxury hotels in Sandton and Melrose Arch to budget hostels in Braamfontein. The city offers everything from boutique guesthouses to chain hotels, catering to different tastes and budgets.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport Johannesburg

8.8

Peermont Metcourt at Emperors Palace Johannesburg

8.3

Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg

8.8

Peermont D'oreale Grande at Emperors Palace Johannesburg

8.4

MINT Hotel 84 on Katherine

8.9

Bella Casa Guesthouse

8.5

The Residence

9.5

Onomo Hotel Johannesburg Sandton

8.4

Misty Hills Country Hotel

8.5

Park Inn Sandton

7.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Johannesburg

Getting around is easiest by car or with ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt. The Gautrain is a reliable option for traveling between the airport, Sandton and Pretoria. Public buses and minibus taxis exist but may not be ideal for tourists.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-46 %

Daily expenses in Johannesburg are around 46% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-2 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to ZAR) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£42	£91	£246
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£120
🍝 Food per day	£16	£39	£109
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£7	£16

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£17
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£8.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.40
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£9
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.05

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£24
🤧 Cold medication	£4.40
💇 Basic haircut	£5.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Johannesburg has some safety concerns, especially related to petty crime. Stick to safe neighborhoods, avoid isolated areas and use trusted transport methods. Be vigilant, particularly after dark.

Health & Medical

The city offers good medical facilities, including private hospitals with international standards. Ensure you have travel insurance. Malaria is not a concern in Johannesburg but can be in nearby regions.

Accessibility

Major attractions, hotels and shopping centers offer good accessibility. However, older parts of the city and public transport may be less accessible for travelers with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water in Johannesburg is generally safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available and most restaurants serve tap water unless otherwise specified.