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Johannesburg/Sandton

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Sandton rising above the urban forest
Sandton rising above the urban forest

Sandton [1] is an affluent suburb and business centre in Johannesburg.

It is home to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (the largest in Africa and the 12th largest in the world), a number of large financial institutions (including local head offices for some foreign banks) and the largest shopping centre in South Africa.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

From O.R. Tambo International Airport - Exiting the airport follow R24 Johannesburg signs and follow the R24 to the Gillooly's Interchange, from here follow the N3 North towards Pretoria, take exit 124 (Sandton/M60 Marlboro Dr.) turning left into Marlboro Dr, follow Marlboro Dr until the T junction with Katherine St, turn left into Katherine St, follow Katherine St into Sandton.

From the M1 - take exit 23 (Sandton/M40 Grayston Dr.) or take exit 26 (Sandton/M60 Marlboro Dr) and follow Marlboro Dr west until the T junction with Katherine St (400m), turn left in to Katherine St, follow Katherine St into Sandton.

From the N1 -take exit 100 (Sandton/M9 Rivonia Rd) and follow Rivonia Rd south towards Sandton or take exit 95 (Sandton/R511 Williiam Nicol Dr.) and follow that south until it intersects with Sandton Dr., turn left into Sandton Dr.

Rush hour traffic during the week can make getting into and out of Sandton a painfully slow business; you will be wise to avoid 7AM-9AM and 4PM-7PM.

Note that there is extensive Gautrain related construction happening in the Sandton area, specifically around the intersection of West and Rivonia roads where then new train station is being build. Road diversions are in effect from time to time. The official Gautrain website [2] contains up to date road closure and blasting information.

Pace Car Rental is the local leader in car rental, should you need car hire. They deliver for free to international guests. Reservations can be made on +27(0) 84 840 2847.

[edit] By airport shuttle

A number of shuttle services operate between O.R. Tambo International Airport and Sandton.

Scheduled services
  • Magic Bus, (Located in the multistory parkade opposite the domestic terminal, but you can also email or phone them and request that you be met at the gate when your flight arrives), ☎ +27 (0)11 394-6902 (, fax: +27 (0)11 466-2565), [3]. Every two hours from 8AM to 6PM. Service is between the airport and most major hotels Adults R120, children R90 one way.  edit
Unscheduled services, book in advance
  • Airport Shuttle, ☎ +27 (0)861 748-8853 (, fax: +27 (0)86 501-0715), [4]. R275 for max 3 passengers, R390 for max 7 passengers.  edit
  • Buzz Around, ☎ +27 (0)83 651-6700 (+27 (0)83 264-4552, , fax: +27 (0)86 653-7419), [5]. R300 per person for the first 3 passengers, R50 for any additional passengers.  edit
  • Cab4U, ☎ +27 (0)72 543-8849 (), [6]. Mini-buses and cars available for any number of passengers and luggage.  edit

[edit] Get around

[edit] By metered taxi

Taxis can be found at entrance 12 to Sandton City. Metered cabs can also be hired by calling Safecab on +27 (0)861 66-55-66. It is illegal for metered taxis to be hailed as is seen in many other cities (e.g. in New York City). Passengers may only catch taxis which have been booked (in person or telephonically), the only exception being in demarcated metered taxi zones.

[edit] Bus

Several main Metrobus routes serve the Sandton area, running regularly during the day in 30-minute to 60-minute intervals, as well as in the early evening. The 5C also runs regularly on weekends, including the normal early evening service. The 5C runs along Oxford Road and connects many important tourist attractions, including Sandton City, The Zone@Rosebank, and The Mall of Rosebank. Contact Metrobus on +27 (0)11 375-5555 (Ext. 6) for more information on routes and timetables. Metrobus is by far one of the safest and cheapest methods of getting around Sandton, and the City of Johannesburg. It must be noted however that Metrobus is not an alternative to private (hired) transport.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Nelson Mandela Statue, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City. The 6 meter tall bronze statue of Nelson Mandela is a favorite photo spot for tourists.  edit
  • Gallery on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, ☎ +27 (0)11 784-2847 (, fax: +27 (0)11 784-2849), [7]. Mon to Sat 9AM to 6PM. Exhibitions of South African and international art  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Theatre on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, ☎ +27 (0)11 883-8606 (+27 (0)83 377-4969, , fax: +27 (0)11 883-9673), [8]. Shows Sat 6PM and 9PM, Tue to Fri 8:15PM. Usually R100 per person.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Sandton City, 5th St, ☎ +27 (0)11 217-6000 (, fax: +27 (0)11 883-0978), [9]. Open 9AM to 6PM Mon to Sat and 10AM to 4PM Sun. An extremely vibrant and popular shopping mall that dominated the Sandton area. It is affordable, but be prepared to pay a bit for the good quality you're buying. There are many unique shops here as well as typical South African franchises and even some British stores. You could easily spend an entire day here!  edit
  • Village Walk Shopping Centre, Cnr Maude and Rivonia Rd, ☎ +27 (0)11 783-4620 (, fax: +27 (0)11 783-2003), [10]. Mon to Fri 9AM to 6PM, Sat 9AM to 4PM and Sun 9AM to 1PM. Smaller and quieter than Sandton City  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Nelson Mandela Square at night
Nelson Mandela Square at night

Nelson Mandela Square at Sandton City [11] offers a number of restaurants to choose from

  • Baglios, Nelson Mandela Square, [12]. Eat delicious hand-made ice cream at the "Bagelos" store.  edit
  • The Bull Run, 20 Maude Street, Sandton (Just between Sandton City Mall and Village Walk Shopping Centre), ☎ + 27 (0)11 884-1400, [13].  edit
  • The Butcher Shop & Grill, Nelson Mandela Square, ☎ +27 (0)11 784-8676, [14].  edit
  • Lekgotla, Nelson Mandela Square, ☎ +27 (0)11 884-9555, [15].  edit
  • Montego Bay Seafood & Sushi Bar, Nelson Mandela Square, ☎ +27 (0)11 883-6407 (fax: +27 (0)11 883-3965), [16].  edit
  • Pappas on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, ☎ +27 (0)11 884-9991, [17].  edit
  • Saxon Hotel, has one of the best restaurants in Johannesburg. It is the hotel where Nelson Mandela stayed shortly after being released from prison and where he wrote his book ´Long Walk to Freedom´. This is where you will have one of the best gourmet meals in the city, but you need to have deep pockets.
  • Trumps International Grillhouse, Nelson Mandela Square, ☎ +27 (0)11 784-2366, [18].  edit
  • Wangthai, Nelson Mandela Square, ☎ +27 (0)11 784-8484 (fax: +27 (0)11 783-2368), [19].  edit

Sandton City [20] has a food court with most of the fast-food outlets represented. Many restaurants can be found throughout the mall, including Italian ("Piatto"), Indian ("The Raj" serves delicious Indian food), Chinese and Japanese restaurants.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • The Blues Room, Village Walk Centre, Sandton, ☎ +27 (0)11 784-5527, [21]. Have a couple of drinks while listening to some of the best live jazz.  edit
  • Taboo, 24 Central, Cnr Fredman Dr and Gwen Lane, ☎ +27 (0)11 783-2200 (, fax: +27 (0)11 783-2217), [22].  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Sandton skyline from the Village Walk Center looking over the Balalaika Hotel towards Sandton City and the Michelangelo hotel
Sandton skyline from the Village Walk Center looking over the Balalaika Hotel towards Sandton City and the Michelangelo hotel
This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget Under R500
Mid-range R500 to R1500
Splurge Over R1500

[edit] Budget

For cheap accommodation you need to go to look in the other areas of Joburg.

[edit] Mid range

[edit] Splurge

  • Blue Chip Accommodation, [27]. Provides various self catering apartments around the Sandton/Johannesburg area which enables the traveler to feel more at home. The apartments have fully equipped kitchens as well as a lounge with a television/prepaid telephone, bathroom/s, bedroom/s and either private balconies or gardens. All located in secure complexes with 24 hr guard and swimming pool.  edit
  • The Colony, 130 Daisy Str, ☎ +27 (0)11 784-1930 (, fax: +27 (0)11 784-1939), [28]. From R 1095 per room per night.  edit
  • The Courtyard, 130 Rivonia Rd, ☎ +27 (0)11 884-5500 (, fax: +27 (0)11 884-5501), [29]. From around R900 for a double.  edit
  • The Don Sandton I, 3 Rivonia Rd, ☎ +27 (0)11 268-6600 (, fax: +27 (0)11 268-6606), [30]. From R1000 per single and R1500 per double.  edit
  • The Don Sandton IV, 115 Pretoria Ave, ☎ +27 (0)11 883-5814 (, fax: +27 (0)11 883-0724), [31]. From R1100 per person.  edit
  • Execulet, ☎ +27 (0)11 326-4532 (), [32]. Fully furnished apartments for short-term and long-term rental. A full range of more than 100 privately managed apartments ranging from budget studios to luxury executive suits.  edit
  • Garden Court Sandton, Cnr Katherine Str and Rivonia Rd, ☎ +27 (0)11 884-5660 (, fax: +27 (0)11 783-2004), [33].  edit
  • Garden Court Sandton City, Cnr West and Maude Str, ☎ +27 (0)11 269-7000 (, fax: +27 (0)11 269-7100), [34].  edit
  • Michelangelo, Sandton City, ☎ +27 (0)11 282-7000 (), [35].  edit
  • Park Plaza, 84 Katherine Str, ☎ +27 (0)11 555-4000 (, fax: +27 (0)11 555-4007).  edit
  • Sandton Hilton, 138 Rivonia Rd, ☎ +27 (0)11 322-1888 (fax: +27 (0)11 322-1818), [36]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11AM.  edit
  • Sandton Sun, Cnr Fifth and Alice Str, ☎ +27 (0)11 780-5000 (, fax: +27 (0)11 780-5002), [37].  edit

[edit] Contact

Cheap Wi-Fi is available in many locations throughout Sandton

  • Sandton City
  • Nelson Mandela Square
  • Sandton Convention Centre

Many hotels are also have their own Wi-Fi hotspots.

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