Johannesburg Solo Guide: Essential Info (2025)

Heading to Johannesburg? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!

QUICK FACTS

• The largest city in South Africa, with a metro population of 6.1 million.
• The largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a large gold and diamond trade. The city was founded in 1886, during the Gold Rush.
• Africa’s second largest city (after Cairo), Johannesburg is the world’s largest city that is not built on a coastline.
• Nicknames: Jo’burg, Jozi, Joni, Place of Gold, City of Lights, Joeys, Gauteng, Egoli

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Currency: Rand (ZAR). 
  
• Spoken languages: English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu. English is widely spoken in South Africa.
• Best time to visit: from October to March (summer time).
• Arriving via airport: taxis from the airport are about 300 rand. Many hotels will arrange pickup for you if you ask in advance.
• The Gautrain is a safe and reliable way to get to popular areas in town. Example price: 125 rand to Rosebank.
• The Gautrain remains the safest public transportation option for tourists, providing reliable service between O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, and Pretoria.
  – The Gautrain Card costs R20 (minimum balance of R36)

WHERE TO STAY

• Best hostel in Johannesburg for solo travelers: Lebo’s Soweto (they have a near perfect review score for a reason).
  – Book ahead so you aren’t forced to stay somewhere else!
• While there is accommodation throughout the city, most visitors prefer to stay in the Sandton or Rosebank areas.
  – The Sandton area is consistently highlighted as the safest neighborhood for tourists, especially for solo travelers.
• Safety tips: never leave windows or doors open or unlocked, even when inside your room.

GETTING AROUND

• Johannesburg’s public transit is dominated by the minibus network. However, the routes are unpublished and foreign tourists/business visitors are not commonly seen riding on them.
  – Minibuses are often unreliable, and are popular with thieves and pickpockets.
• Taxis are a common method of travel for foreigners, though they can be hard to find outside of the airport and Sandton areas.
  – Many taxis aren’t metered – you will have to negotiate with the driver to get to your destination.
  – Negotiation starting point: R70 for first 5km, additional R9.50 each. Waiting: R60/hour. Both day/night service.
  – Have your hostel/hotel arrange taxis and pre-arrange return transportation.
  – When using taxis, sit in the rear of the vehicle and keep windows up and doors locked at all times.
• Ride sharing apps such as Uber and Bolt are more convenient (and safer) than taxis.
• Rental cars are easily available at the airport, and are the most common form of transportation used by foreigners.
  – Rentals are relatively inexpensive and can be the easiest way for you to get around.
  – Safety tips: park in well-lit areas, never pick up strangers, ensure that vehicle doors are locked and windows closed at all times, and stay on highways and main roads.
• To stay on the safe side, avoid public transport entirely.
• The Gautrain, Blue Train, and Rovos Rail remain the only recommended rail options for tourists.

JOHANNESBURG NIGHTLIFE

• Drinking age is 18.
• Backpacker scene: bars in the Melville student district.
• Rivonia and Sandton are the upmarket nightlife areas, replete with nice clubs and lounges.
• Unique clubs that locals love: TOYTOY (techno) and Science Frikshun (@sciencefrikshun) for DnB.
• Trending: The Living Room in Maboneng Precinct. Rooftop bar with botanical decor, cocktails, and evolving music.
• Live music? Head to The Orbit Jazz Club in Braamfontein:  live jazz performances by South African and international artists in an intimate setting with quality food and drinks.
• Try not to go out partying alone. If you do, take an Uber and make sure it picks you up and drops you off in a well-lit place. Do not take any chances here!

UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT

• Visit the Apartheid Museum – architecturally significant space providing thoughtful exhibits on South Africa’s history.
• Victoria Yards: Revitalized industrial art village with studios, artisanal shops, and cultural events
• Soweto is becoming an increasingly popular place for tourists to visit. The South West Township is a birthplace of the resistance to the former Apartheid government in South Africa. Organized and informative tours are readily available.
• Located close to the city, the Lion Park is a small version of a game preserve. Here you can play with baby lions, feed giraffes, drive through the small preserve and see antelope, zebras, and other animals indigenous to the continent.
  – If you don’t have time to visit Kruger, or a comparable game park, this is an excellent stop to make.
• Constitution Hill: Historical site including a prison complex and Constitutional Court with exhibits on apartheid history and social justice
• A popular day trip idea: visit the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (a treat for those interested in anthropology and natural history). Known to have the largest concentration of human ancestral remains of anywhere on the planet.

INTERESTING WALKS

• Take some time to walk through Central Johannesburg. Take a stroll through Little India, the Ghanaian area of Yeoville, and the area around the Arts on Main.
• Take a walk around the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. Make sure to bring a camera, as there is plenty of wildlife to see (including the endangered Black Eagle).
• Go on a Township Tour to see how the locals live.
  – Important: make sure you use an official tour operator and don’t attempt to go it alone, as safety is a concern.

WHERE TO EAT

• Try the local cuisine! Popular dishes include bunny chow and “pap and boerewors.” Restaurant rec: 44 Stanley (local vibe).
• Visit the The Playground market in Braamfontein for a more relaxed culinary experience. Runs on Saturdays.

SAFETY TIPS

• Violent crimes including robbery, assault, and carjacking remain concerns, even in tourist areas.
• Quick tips:
  – Don’t carry wallets in back pockets.
  – Keep bags on your lap at restaurants rather than on the floor or hung over chairs. Secure all fasteners on bags.
  – Avoid displaying affluence or carrying visible valuables.
  – Stay alert to surroundings and avoid appearing distracted.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and don’t go exploring areas that you haven’t researched already.
• Avoid after dark: Berea, Hillbrow, Yeoville in Johannesburg, and Sunnyside in Pretoria. Stick to well-lit, populated areas.
• At night, make sure you know how to get exactly where you’re going – getting lost could land you in trouble.
• You will notice that at night, cars will drive (illegally) right through red lights at intersections (after slowing down to make sure it is safe). This is a common practice in Johannesburg due to the high chance of violent carjackings. Do as the locals do – slow down, but don’t stop your car at night.
• If followed, go directly to a police station.
• Facing an armed individual? Comply, avoid eye contact, and don’t resist.

LOCAL WISDOM

• Take advantage of the shopping opportunities in the city. Johannesburg is a hub for tradecraft from the Southern African region – in addition to local crafts, there are great souvenirs from Swaziland, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
  – Bazaar-like markets are common in Rosebank.
• Will you be in town on a Sunday? If so, the Rosebank Sunday Market features world food stalls and crafts (open Sundays 9 AM – 4 PM).
• Dangerous areas: crime rates in Johannesburg are very high, especially when compared to any Western country.

Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days

See also:

• Cape Town, South Africa
• Nairobi, Kenya
• Kigali, Rwanda