Getting to Pretoria – Tshwane transport, car rental, taxi & bus
Posted on 20. Apr, 2010 by admin in Pretoria
Like most South African cities, public transport in Pretoria is not a particularly easy way to get about. Buses are infrequent and the most common form of transport for locals are the largely unroadworthy minibus taxis. That said, car hire and taxis in Pretoria are fairly cheap. Due to its close proximity to Johannesburg, Pretoria is also well set up in terms of national connections, with long distance buses and trains linking into the city. Check out JF’s guide to transport in Pretoria.
By car
Travelling to Pretoria by car is a straight forward option as five national highways connect to the city. The N1 runs from Bloemfontein to Cape Town and Pretoria, the N3 goes to Pietermaritzburg and Durban, the N4 runs to Nelspruit, the N12 will take you to Kimberly and George and the N14 goes to the West Coast.
Driving in South Africa can be a good way to travel and driving to Pretoria is no exception. The road systems are well maintained and car hire and petrol is relatively cheap. Check out JF’s guide to transport in South Africa for national companies offering car rental in South Africa.
By air
Travelling to Pretoria by air is a possibility as Tambo International Airport is just down R21 or the Albertina Sisulu Highway in Johannesburg. Flights to Johannesburg Airport (Tambo) run from major cities all over the world and there are numerous domestic flights to Johannesburg from destinations in South Africa. Because of this, queues at Immigration can be pretty hefty so be prepared for a long wait, especially if you are arriving early in the morning.
Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg caters for commercial flights and is, unlike OR Tambo, privately owned. The location of Lanseria Airport is just to the northwest of the city, close to the Midrand, Pretoria, Westrand and Sandton regions. Regular flights run from Cape Town to Lanseria Airport but the rest are mainly corporate and regional flights. A number of discounted airlines in South Africa run cheap flights to Johannesburg.
Airport shuttles to Pretoria are available at the airport or can be booked in advance. Check out these shuttles from Johannesburg Tambo Airport to Pretoria:
JIATA Taxi Assosiation
Tel: +27 (0)11 390 1857
Your Choice Tours
Tel: +27 (0)84 580 4802, email: info@yct.co.za
Ants Events and Tours
Tel: +27 (0)82 557 9604 or +27 (0)12 346 2400, Email: info@antsevents.com
By bus
Travelling to Pretoria by bus is popular with tourists as a number of major South African bus companies run buses to Pretoria from various South African cities, such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Most buses arrive and depart from Pretoria bus and train station in Railway Street, just south of the city centre.
Check out these buses going to Pretoria:
Translux
Tel: +27 (0)861 589 282 or Tel: +27 (011) 774 3333
Translux’s network extends to major cities in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi. Translux buses to Pretoria also run from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and East London
Greyhound
Tel: +27 (0)83 915 9000
Greyhound runs daily buses to and from Pretoria from all over South Africa, including Cape Town and Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, East London and Port Elizabeth.
Baz Bus
Tel: +27 (0)21 439 2323, Email: info@bazbus.com
Baz Bus’s hop-on, hop-off service is the best bet for backpackers. Routes run from Pretoria run to and from Durban, Johannesburg Cape Town, Swaziland and Drakenberg.
Intercape Mainliner
Tel: +27 (0)21 380 4400 or 0861 287 287
Intercape Mainliner run a vast number of bus routes to Pretoria from all over South Africa.
By train
Travelling to Pretoria by train is easy, especially if you are coming from nearby Johannesburg. Trains arrive and depart from Pretoria Train Station on Railway Street, just south of the city centre. Commuter trains from Johannesburg to Pretoria and other outlying towns are frequent but relatively slow. A high-speed rail link is currently being constructed, however, in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa.
There is also a Metrorail in Pretoria, but this line is notoriously unsafe and not recommended for long distance travel. Shosholoza Meyl trains are a safer and more comfortable to travel between cities with trians to and from Pretoria to Johannesburg, Polowane, Musina, Witbank, Nelspruit and the Mozambique border.
Passengers travelling by train to Pretoria on long-distance services normally have the option of Tourist Class, where there is a choice between two and four-person compartments/bedrooms. Economy class is much cheaper but only has reclining chairs instead of beds.
Transport in Pretoria
By car
Like most South African cities, the easiest easy to travel in Pretoria is by car. Public transport is currently being developed in time for the World Cup, although it is not a particularly well-known concept in South Africa.
The Road network in Pretoria is fairly well maintained and easy to navigate, so hiring a car in Pretoria is probably the best way to get around for tourists. Petrol is also cheaper in South Africa than in Europe. It’s a good idea to buy a map before hand and avoid the city’s rush hours between 7:30am and 9am and 4pm and 6:30pm.
Check out these car hire companies in Pretoria:
There are many car rental companies at Johannesburg Tambo Airport. Check out JF’s guide to transport in Johannesburg for more information.
Tempest Car Hire
Arcadia, 861 Schoeman Street, Pretoria East, Tel: +27 (0)12 430 2724, Email: reservations@tempestcarhire.co.za
Tony’s Car Hire
Tel: +27 (0)11 975 8081, Email: info@sacarhire.co.za
Drop off only.
Pace Car Rentals
Tel: +27 (0)87 808 2542, Email: info@pacecarrental.co.za
Based in Johannesburg
Drive South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)860 000 060, info@drivesouthafrica.co.za
Drive South Africa have drop off and pick up points all over South Africa.
By Taxi
If you’re not a driver or you don’t fancy travelling around Pretoria by car, taxis in Pretoria are the best way to go. Fares are fairly cheap and taxis in Pretoria are probably the safest way for tourists to get about.
Most Pretoria taxis cannot be flagged down from the road, however, so it’s a good idea to carry a few phone numbers in your pocket when you’re heading out. Prices can be arranged before the journey on the phone or you can request a metered taxi. Some companies also provide minibuses for group travel and taxi tours.
Check out these taxi firms in Pretoria:
Hein Rich’s Taxis
Tel: +27(0)12 343 3331
Rixi Taxi
Tel: +27 (0)12 362 6262
Dial-A-Dove Taxi
Tel: +27 (0)12 323 2040
Airport Taxi
Tel: +27 (0)12 991 0085
Taxi Monument
Tel: +27 (0)12 322 9986
Retladirela Meterd Taxis & Cabs
Tel: +27 (0)12 320 4736
Shuttle2Home
Tel: +27 (0)12 343 5681
Imbeko Cabs & Tours
Tel: +27 (0)12 322 1664
Baby Cabs
Tel: +27 (0)12 324 6222
Cbd Mini Cab Taxis CC
Tel: +27 (0)12 323 2241
ACE Transfers & Tours
Tel: +27 (0)82 303 8568
Jakaranda Cab And Tours
Tel: +27 (0)82 515 2656
Lelaka Tours Shuttle Services
Tel: +27 (0)76 772 8153
By bus
Like most South African cities, buses in Pretoria are few are far between. Things are gradually improving in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, but by how much remains to be seen. At present, Pretoria buses are not very regular or extensive but you can get from the city to the suburbs for around R15. The main bus office in Pretoria is in Church Square where you can pick up time tables and route maps.
By minibus taxi
Minibus taxis in Pretoria are the main mode of transport for locals but they have traditionally been warned against for tourists. They are normally very overcrowded and not always roadworthy, although a recent clean up has been put in place for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Pretoria minibus taxis can be flagged down from the street and will take you pretty much anywhere across the city for under R5.
