Long Layover in Johannesburg - what to do with 14 hours?
Nov 28, 2018, 9:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Long Layover in Johannesburg - what to do with 14 hours?
I am looking at booking a trip that will include a long day time layover in Johannesburg. A bit under 15 hours to be exact.
Anyone have any recommendations on day trips, tour guides, sites to see, or places to eat?? Better yet, any SA based FTers want to meet up for lunch and hang out?
Anyone have any recommendations on day trips, tour guides, sites to see, or places to eat?? Better yet, any SA based FTers want to meet up for lunch and hang out?
Nov 28, 2018, 10:41 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: TPA
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I had about the same amount of time in JNB when I was there two two years ago. Maybe look at doing a Soweto tour, they have half day and full day options and are generally pretty affordable.
Could also just grab some lunch and maybe Uber over to the Apartheid Museum. I had dinner at the Grillhouse Rosebank and the steak was fantastic, could do that for lunch.
Could also just grab some lunch and maybe Uber over to the Apartheid Museum. I had dinner at the Grillhouse Rosebank and the steak was fantastic, could do that for lunch.
Nov 30, 2018, 4:39 am
#5
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Dec 2, 2018, 1:57 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2013
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We now have a Hop on Hop off bus system running https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/destinations/joburg/categories/open-top-bus-tours-joburg
You could get the Gautrain to Rosebank and get the bus for a ride around the city - some points worth seeing would be Constitution Hill, Apartheid Museum and the run through Soweto and the inner city - Braamfontein to be precise. Also the Mining District is interesting. Just skip Gold Reef City - it is a theme Park.
This would be the most time effective option. Also, when you are at ORTIA, you need to specify that you want a return ticket for the train, and when you get back, hand your card back for the refundable deposit - it is a small amount, but it is the principle that counts.
Of course, this all depends on what time you arrive and when you need to leave.
Feel free to PM me for any specific questions and I will try and help as best I can.
You could get the Gautrain to Rosebank and get the bus for a ride around the city - some points worth seeing would be Constitution Hill, Apartheid Museum and the run through Soweto and the inner city - Braamfontein to be precise. Also the Mining District is interesting. Just skip Gold Reef City - it is a theme Park.
This would be the most time effective option. Also, when you are at ORTIA, you need to specify that you want a return ticket for the train, and when you get back, hand your card back for the refundable deposit - it is a small amount, but it is the principle that counts.
Of course, this all depends on what time you arrive and when you need to leave.
Feel free to PM me for any specific questions and I will try and help as best I can.
Dec 2, 2018, 4:55 am
#7
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Dec 2, 2018, 11:00 am
#8
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Dec 5, 2018, 10:32 am
#10
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HAHA, someone else said this is the one place I SHOULD go
Thank's for the save.
Dec 6, 2018, 1:01 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,332
Dlala Nje offers some very interesting inner city tours, including a trip to the fabulously infamous Ponte Tower. This was the highlight of my 3 day trip last year, along with the day trip to Pilanesberg, where I was able to spot just about all of the popular non-predatory African safari animals in a semi-natural setting on my self-drive mini safari.
Dec 10, 2018, 7:41 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 9
If you want to see animals, the closest thing woudl the Lion and Safari Park. Otherwise, I would recommend a visit to Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.
For food, definitely recommend going to eat some steak which South Africa does a great job of. THe BUtcher shop, The Grillhouse, Wombles are my favorites. Make sure to try the biltong as well!
For food, definitely recommend going to eat some steak which South Africa does a great job of. THe BUtcher shop, The Grillhouse, Wombles are my favorites. Make sure to try the biltong as well!
Dec 12, 2018, 10:10 am
#13
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I'm not sure I'll have the time to make it to the Safari Park AND get a great lunch in the city. I think I am choosing cooked animals over live ones and staying close to the city 
Dec 12, 2018, 5:28 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: JFK/BOS
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Having spent limited time in Johannesburg I'm no expert but in 14 hours you could,I suspect,spend some time in a suburb called Sandton which is located on the transit line from the airport.The main feature of the city,from my limited experience,is its affluence...a level of affluence that equals anything you'd see in the US. Obviously, there are other things that are as interesting,if not more.
Dec 18, 2018, 8:19 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 25
I visited the Apartheid Museum a few years ago when I had a short window in Johannesburg. It was very interesting, and you could combine that with a Soweto tour. With a short stopover, drink plenty of water and plan to move a bit more slowly than usual if you are sensitive to high altitude. I was surprised by the altitude factor!