P.O. Box 388, Kempton Park, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1687, South Africa
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CatherineReichardt
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Where to stay at the airport (Part 1)
Many tourists transit through Johannesburg and have neither the time and/or the inclination to explore the city. Which is a pity for them, but a reality.
If you are just coming through Jo'burg to connect to another flight - especially one in the early morning, then it's probably not worth leaving the airport at all. If so, then you have several choices, your selection of which will largely depend on who's paying!
This is the Rolls Royce option that you will probably only want to investigate if you're travelling on business and have a large expense account. The InterContinental is extortionately expensive by Johannesburg standards, but offers you the ultimate convenience of being able to stroll across the road into the terminal building, and even offers you a rooftop helipad!
Many people also use the InterContinental's lounges and meeting rooms as business venues - this is now even more convenient with the Gautrain rapid rail link to Sandton (Jo'burg's business hub). Gautrain's first phase (from Sandton to the airport) opened in 2010 and takes less than 15 minutes and the entire Gautrain network will open in July 2011, linking the airport to the Jo'burg CBD, Rosebank, Midrand, Centurion and Pretoria.
Opinion of Price: most expensive
Written June 14, 2011
Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Photo: Intercontinental Hotel, O R Tambo airport
TOURISTS Awesome to teach Afrikaans swear words to
Claire Johnson's tast in headgear has not improved
The inner court and garden
Ellis Park Aerial View
Forum Posts
Johannesburg - Durban
by Abbsy
Hi we're hopefully coming to SA for our 3rd year. Wanting to try Durban for a couple of days, any idea how long it will take to drive from Tambo airport to Durban? Is it do-able?
Thanks very much, at this moment in time I'm trying to organise an itinerary but not sure where we want to go this time so you may find lots of varying questions.
Thanks :)
Re: Johannesburg - Durban
by Gili_S
I was driving this road couple of years ago and you can get the distance very fast so I would say about 5-6 hours but that also depends on the traffic and how often you take a break of course. I was on holiday so I didn't do it in one go, went to visit other sites on the way, Drakenberg mountains are just to your west and must see and visit if you have the time.
Re: Johannesburg - Durban
by CatherineReichardt
Hi
Gili_S is right: allow about 5-6 hours.
The question is, do you really want to drive all that way? Other than the last 2 hours - once you've reached the edge of the Drakensberg - it is a very dull drive with little to recommend it. If you intend just to get from Jo'burg to Durban, without stopping off en route (which is how it sounds), why not rather book a flight from your destination through to Durban and pick up a hire car there? It probably won't cost you any more, and would save you a lot of time and effort. Otherwise you could look at one of the low cost carriers (kulula, Mango, 1Time) which are pretty cheap, but usually adding on a domestic leg to an international flight is pretty cheap and the most economical option.
If you are going to Durban, could I suggest that you consider a visit to Eshowe, which I think is the gem of KawZulu Natal (see my travel page for more info)? You could easily combine this with the wonderful Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park and also the St Lucia (now iSimangaliso), which is a World Heritage site. The stunning Drakensberg is an absolute must And of course, there are the Zulu war battlefields ... but I'm running away with myself, since you only wanted to know how to get to Durbs-by-the-Sea!
Great to hear you're coming back again: our GDP greatly appreciates your contribution!
Regards
Cathy
Re: Johannesburg - Durban
by Abbsy
Thanks very much to both of you, I may come back with more questions
Re: Johannesburg - Durban
by Rickereeler
For a straight trip it is probably cheaper to fly, but if you prefer seeing things then take the midland meander all the way down. You see some great places and it is a relaxing drive, plus you get to miss the toll roads and it only takes about an hour extra.
Travel Tips for Johannesburg
Economic activity
by Jenniflower
Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth are the 4 main areas of South Africa where 75% of all the country's ecoonomic activity occurs!
Gauteng is the absolute powerhouse of the country, with about 40% of the GDP hailing from there. It's where most of the jobs are, and where people go to .make money'.
Unfortunately though, with that, the criminals are well aware fo this and so it has the reputation as being a place ridden with crime.
Yes, there is alot of crime, but in the many years I lived there, we were only burgled once. I know of one car hijacking too where I personally know the people involved, where the people were not hurt.
Language
by Gard
Did you know that South Africa has 11 official languages? The languages (in alphabetical order) are Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. You can get by without any problems speaking English in Joburg.
When I came there the first time I was a bit surprised by a few words. Nikki kept on saying “turn right at the robots” when she was giving me driving instructions. Well, I didn’t really see that many robots in the streets :-) But robots is the word for traffic lights. When I talked to Nikki’s family and telling them things they kept on saying “izzit?” (like in “is it?”). Well, my natural response was of course to confirm by saying “Yes” but later on I realized that the “izzit” is just a phrase being used when you listen to someone tell a story and I guess it can be translated into “really?” There is also the expression “howzit” which is more or less like “Hi, how are you?”
I also kept on asking for ketchup and got pretty blank faces. In this part of the world we’re only talking about “tomato sauce”. Talking about food: one of the South African past times is barbecuing - known as ‘braai’. One of the best things to braai is a boerewors - an excellent meat sausage (mixed with herbs & spices).
Hiking in the Magaliesberg
by cokes
My very first hike ever was in the Mountains of the Magaliesberg..... what an experience. Its was a really great experience that got me wanting more.
I loved hiking amongst the steep slopes of beautiful gorges of the Magaliesberg Mountains , amongst the animals which was running wild in bush.
The nice thing about this is that Magaliesberg is about 45min to an hours drive away from JNB. Your normal Hiking Gear
Monte Casino
by cokes
Well Monte Casino is a replica of an ancient Tuscan hill-top village. Its quiet nice , looks like its permanently day inside with blue skys painted on the ceilings , washing hanging in the air from balconies.
Well there is various shops , restaurants , casino , cinema`s , clubs , bars & theatre inside. It sounds like much to do...... go check it out.
There is also an Intercontinental Palazzo , so if you looking for 5 star accomodation , this is your place to be. Will Smith & Family always stay`s here.
Steak...you must have...the steak...
by jonnymac about Butchers Shop
Unbelievably good steak. Steak you have to dig out of the plate. Wonderful wine to accompany it. Even the bread and oil they give you while you wait for your steak is great. Its all great. If you like meat. If you dont, well your kind of limited to the bread and the oil. Steak. I like it because its really really really...well great.
Many tourists transit through Johannesburg and have neither the time and/or the inclination to explore the city. Which is a pity for them, but a reality.
If you are just coming through Jo'burg to connect to another flight - especially one in the early morning, then it's probably not worth leaving the airport at all. If so, then you have several choices, your selection of which will largely depend on who's paying!
This is the Rolls Royce option that you will probably only want to investigate if you're travelling on business and have a large expense account. The InterContinental is extortionately expensive by Johannesburg standards, but offers you the ultimate convenience of being able to stroll across the road into the terminal building, and even offers you a rooftop helipad!
Many people also use the InterContinental's lounges and meeting rooms as business venues - this is now even more convenient with the Gautrain rapid rail link to Sandton (Jo'burg's business hub). Gautrain's first phase (from Sandton to the airport) opened in 2010 and takes less than 15 minutes and the entire Gautrain network will open in July 2011, linking the airport to the Jo'burg CBD, Rosebank, Midrand, Centurion and Pretoria.
706 members live in Johannesburg
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TOURISTS Awesome to teach Afrikaans swear words to
Claire Johnson's tast in headgear has not improved
The inner court and garden
Ellis Park Aerial View
