Advice on travel to Johannesburg

[docjames]

Hi all,

Have a potential 5 day work trip to Johannesburg.

Seeking advice on personal safety, particularly regarding travel from eg. Hotel to work (university), to/from airport (I get the impression a rental car is easiest/safest option??).

I'm not super keen on massive amounts of sightseeing (won't have time).

Accommodation options are B&Bs or self-contained near to the university or hotel(s) most which seem about 25km from uni.

I'll leave it that generic at this stage (to keep the advice broad/open) but happy to define more if it helps.

Trying to get a feel for the practicalities and safety of getting to/from hotel and work locations (my feeling is that once at either I'd be relatively safe).

Many thanks in advance for anyone who can advise.

 

[Simo]

I would talk to the locals about security.

I would also try and stay at a 5 star hotel if available as they provide extra security over B&B's.

More foreigners at 5 star than most other hotels.

 

[Sprucegoose]

rental car is best.

make sure GPS is tuned to the fastest route and not the shortest which could take you through some 'bad' places.

keep moving and give yourself room when at the lights, don't get boxed in.

be aware stay calm and remain level headed. If you sense danger, move away.

JNB can be a really fun place as well with some great people.

Safe travels

 

[casanovawa]

Would the university have this sort of information and suggestions with the lots of international visitors that come and go to places like that???

 

[Sprucegoose]

I would talk to the locals about security.

I would also try and stay at a 5 star hotel if available as they provide extra security over B&B's.

More foreigners at 5 star than most other hotels.

The casino I stayed at got robbed....professional stuff and they shot a guy in the car park one day.

i thought the casino would be safer.

crime pays in Africa.

 

[docjames]

Would the university have this sort of information and suggestions with the lots of international visitors that come and go to places like that???

Yes but it's all very generic and focused on how safe the campus is! Which doesn't help me with the to/from issue!

Thanks for the replies so far.

Happy to keep taking opinions on whether its "too risky" or "ok if you're sensible" etc.

 

[adrian]

Don't put valuables in your checked-on luggage. My luggage has been gone thru during every transit I've had thru JNB, or worse (I am still waiting for my bag from my last transit, 3 weeks ago). And don't bother with a lock, they will just break it off which often causes more damage to the zip.

Maybe don't take any valuable with you at all...

Re driving, my neighbours who are from JNB, said that they never completely stop at a red light or a stop sign. If there was no one in front of them, they would just roll thru it slowly, even if it was red. I am not sure how that works, and to be honest, it could be cough advice

 

[travelislife]

I would talk to the locals about security.

I would also try and stay at a 5 star hotel if available as they provide extra security over B&B's.

More foreigners at 5 star than most other hotels.

Having travelled extensively in Africa I would advise the opposite to this! The most likely places for 'attack' are where foreigners mostly congregate.

Anyway I reckon it is all a bit over the top. Just be smart, don't overly display wealth, don't travel at night, if it looks dodgy it probably is etc.

 

[ij05]

When I went for the World Cup in 2010 we hooked ourselves up with a local Taxi driver who took us around everywhere and pretty cheaply too. Always reliable as well. If you're keen to go down this route PM me and I'll dig out his mobile number. Back then it was relatively safe (obviously can't comment on how it'd differ without a major sporting event on) , the areas near Sandton City were safe with lots of hotels, and you're also at a shopping centre for any shopping or dinner requirements.

 

[MrHyde]

Re driving, my neighbours who are from JNB, said that they never completely stop at a red light or a stop sign. If there was no one in front of them, they would just roll thru it slowly, even if it was red. I am not sure how that works, and to be honest, it could be cough advice

This is the same advice I have received from South Africans I have met here and in NZ. Keep all doors locked, windows rolled up and never ever come to a complete stop at the lights.. In fact, if the road is clear, just go for it. Saw this in action in Nairobi where our driver didn't stop for any red lights on the way from the airport to the city where we were staying. My friends tell me the highway stretch between JNB airport and the city is the most dangerous road in JNB. Best thing anyone can do is land at the airport and then keep driving out of JNB and away as far as they can get. This advice was from a few years ago, before the 2010 World Cup.

 

[docjames]

OK, so am I nuts to go there then?

 

[ij05]

To be honest when I went the only time I felt unsafe was at 5am at Central Joburg Train station after taking a 4 hour greyhound bus from Nelsprit.

The way I was explained it was there are parts of Melbourne and Sydney at night you'd avoid, it's the same in Joburg

 

[congee]

Lived there on and off for 9 months after the world cup. Advice here is generally correct. Since I traveled solo most of the time I did 2 things. Never arrive at JNB after dark unless you have no choice, in which case you organise a driver and car from your hotel, on the freeway out of JNB airport there has almost always been a police roadblock taking advantage of newly arrived tourists. And for me personally I never drove myself, always had a taxi driver or hotel driver. Never had any issues in JNB itself and I had to go downtown from sandton every day. and since OP mentioned no sightseeing then a car really should not be necessary.

If you are going to stay in sandton the other option is to take the train from the airport to sandton and avoid the traffic altogether. Most hotels will collect you from sandton station. And the taxis there are also safe enough for a local trip.

hope that helps.

 

[docjames]

Thanks all.

Looking at the advise here (and old threads on FT plus tripadvisor etc), I'll definately stay in Sandton. I usually prefer IHG group hotels so recommendations there helpful if anyone knows (Crowne Plaza and HI look ok and near the Gautrain station - about 5-600m). Travel will be summer so I doubt i'll be going anywhere after dark!

Travel will be out to (Monash University in) [FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Ruimsig (North West as best I can tell from Sandton) off the M5.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Any ideas cost of taxi to/from this area (maybe an idea of taxi cost to/from the airport would be a comparator just so i have some idea??). I guess I can also ask the hotel(s) for options as then I could book drop off / pickup times etc.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Obviously i've asked the Uni for more info re:accomodation and transfers but I don't really want to be stuck on campus (or in some random dodgy B+B near the uni campus).[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]FWIW I travelled to Harare in 1999 (yes, a long time ago) and whilst the situation there got a whole lot worse after that time, it was already decaying and most of the "rules" around travelling around the city applied which I expect would be similar to JNB - no displays of wealth, planned travel direct to/from, don't wander around aimlessly etc.[/FONT]

 

[drron]

Cant comment on Joburg as we stayed in Pretoria.When we wanted to go somewhere we took a hotel car.To go to a shopping centre that was 12 miles away cost us about $30 return.So really not ultra expensive.
Besides if you are going to a conference it will still be tax deductible.
We did hire a car but waited until morning after arrival at Joburg and drove south on the highways.Didn't feel threatened.but if you did drive then on any of the roads around Joburg,Pretoria if you see a white VW golf slow down.Most we saw were unmarked police cars.

 

[UP4014]

If driving treat traffic lights as give way signs. Keep a look out and if in doubt head the other way.

I can't comment on hotels, I only stay in places with security, yes 5 star. I'm sure though you could stay in lesser places and keep a low profile without any issue at al.

Not all countries value life the way we do.

Matt

 

[Justinf]

There seems to be a new school of thought regarding driving with windows locked. Some sources say it's best to have them unlocked because if a carjacker is going to take the trouble to single you out, they aren't going to give up just because the doors are locked. These guys have guns and will use them to get into the car one way or another. You don't want to piss of a carjacker any more than they already are. I would still lean towards locking them, but as always, it's best to heed local advice.

 

[Simo]

Having travelled extensively in Africa I would advise the opposite to this! The most likely places for 'attack' are where foreigners mostly congregate.

Anyway I reckon it is all a bit over the top. Just be smart, don't overly display wealth, don't travel at night, if it looks dodgy it probably is etc.

Valid point.

I agree but I do like knowing that they have better security than a B&B.

 

[ccw]

Hi Docjames
I am from Johannesburg (Jhb) and still visit there regularly. Now living in Oz.
I may be able to help with accommodation, depending when you are going.
There is a fast train from the airport to Rosebank / Sandton.
Rental car is a good idea.
Which Uni will you be visiting?
If you are going to stay in a Hotel probably better in the suburbs, Rosebank or Sandton (Hilton / Rosebank Hotel / Grace) would be a good idea.
Its reasonably safe as long as you're not stupid. Don't look like a tourist (cameras etc) , as for the Stop lights (known as "robots" in S Africa, if you don't stop at them you will receive a lot of fines from the police. You must try and be aware of your surrounding.
Most of the comments on your blog is cough.
There's not that much to see in Jhb itself. 2hrs out of the city you will be able to visit a game reserve.
Contact me if you need any more help.

 

[ccw]

There is a train from the airport to Sandton. This is quite safe. Cost approx.$12 one way. It goes directly from the airport to Sandton.
Google "Gautrain".
Get a hire car and use GPS to get where you want to be, not a great idea to be lost.
"Sandton Sun" is a good hotel in a large entertainment shopping centre, lots of restaurants and quite safe. Similar centre to Westfield in Sydney. 5* and way better than most Oz hotels.