Pretoria Transportation - Taxi, Train, Bus & Airport Tips

As the capital city of South Africa, Pretoria is one of the best-organized cities on the entire continent. Getting from point A to point B throughout the city is easy due to the different types of transport, the number of signs in English, and a number of inexpensive alternatives for budget-friendly travel.

While Johannesburg handles the bulk of flights coming in to South Africa, Pretoria features the Wonderboom Airport that handles transfers and the occasional direct flight. Most travelers use the larger Johannesburg airport, as it's typically cheaper to fly in and travel the 20 miles between city by car or bus or train.

Locals are thrilled that after years of delays, the Gautrain light rail system connecting different parts of the city has finally gone live. While it's not as large or expansive as the subways of London, New York, or Paris, the Gautrain is a fast and inexpensive connection that runs from Johannesburg to Pretoria and connects the largest tourist attractions all the way to the suburbs.

The BRT bus lines run between Pretoria and Johannesburg, though some routes are still under construction. The BRT is the cheapest way to get about in Pretoria or Johannesburg and makes stops at both the Gautrain station and the international airport.

In general, taxis throughout South Africa are more expensive than other transport and are difficult to hail from the street except at major stops like hotels and business centers.  However, they're invaluable for getting around later at night when public transportation stops.

Editor's note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about transportation in Pretoria.