O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), formerly Johannesburg International Airport, is the largest airport in South Africa and is located about 24 km northeast of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Johannesburg by Public train, Taxi, Welcome Pickups (Private Transfer) or Uber.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from JNB airport to downtown

Overview of all transfer options from Johannesburg Airport to the City Center (Park Station)

	Transport	Travel time	Cost
	Public train	45 Min.	US$ 12	Details
	Taxi	35 Min.	US$ 35	Details
	Private Transfer	35 Min.	US$ 35	Details
	Uber	35 Min.	US$ 15‑35	Details

Notices:
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.

Public train

Infos here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

45 minutes

Cost:

200 ZAR (around US$ 12) pp

Description:

Gautrain ‘Yellow Line’ from O.R. Tambo Airport (Station in the terminal building) to “Marlboro” or “Sandton Station”, change here to the Gautrain Red Line to “Park Station”, directly in the city center

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Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

35 minutes

Cost:

600 ZAR (around US$ 35)

Description:

Taxi from O.R. Tambo International Airport (in front of the arrivals area) to the center of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Park Station or directly to your accommodation in the city center

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Private Transfer (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

35 minutes

Cost:

600 ZAR (around US$ 35)

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from O.R. Tambo International Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to the center of Johannesburg, Park Station or directly to your accommodation

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Uber (AD)

Order an Uber ride ↗

Travel time:

35 minutes

Cost:

300-600 ZAR (around US$ 15-35)

Description:

Uber from O.R. Tambo International Airport (pick-up location according to Uber App) to the center of Johannesburg, Park Station or directly to your accommodation

Things to know about Johannesburg:

1. Johannesburg is the second biggest city on the African continent, behind the Egyptian city of Cairo
2. The city of Johannesburg was formed by a gold rush in the 19th century
3. Johannesburg is the world’s biggest man-made forest, with over 10 million trees