Africa > 🇿🇦 South Africa > Johannesburg
Should You Hire a Car in Johannesburg? This can be broken down into two similar questions - do you need a car in Johannesburg (in other words, will your holiday be ruined without one), and is it worth hiring a car in Johannesburg - i.e. is a car better value than using public transport? We'll weigh up both questions and give you a response generated by AI, together with our own curated opinion before finally giving a yes or no verdict at the end.| ✅ Car Score | 7 |
| 🚫 No Car Score | 4 |
| 🚗 Should you rent a car? |
(0= absolutely not; 10 = rental car or heavy dependence on taxis absolutely essential)
🌍 Johannesburg (JNB): Do You Need a Car? Here’s the Real Traveller’s GuideJohannesburg is a city of contrasts—gleaming new developments sit alongside deep history, and its neighbourhoods are widely spread out. Unlike compact European capitals, Joburg wasn’t built for walking or public transport—it was built for driving.
✅ In almost all cases, you should rent a car in Johannesburg.
🚫 Going car-free is only realistic if you stay in one area with private transfers.
Let’s break down exactly why.
🚗 Why You Should Rent a Car in Johannesburg
Johannesburg covers a large geographic area, and most attractions are located in different suburbs. Public transport is limited, and buses or trains don’t reach key sightseeing or business areas efficiently.
🚘 Renting a Car Gives You:
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Freedom to explore neighbourhoods like Sandton, Rosebank, Melrose Arch, and Maboneng
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Direct access to attractions such as the Apartheid Museum, Constitutional Hill, and Soweto
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Control over your schedule without waiting for transfers
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Better safety as you stay in your own secure vehicle rather than standing at stops or walking long distances
➡ Joburg is a car city. Locals drive everywhere, and travellers gain safety, convenience, and flexibility with a rental car.
🚫 When You Can Skip the Car
Although renting a car is recommended, there are scenarios where you can go car-free:
You Can Rely on Transfers or Uber If You:
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Stay in a high-end hotel in Sandton or Rosebank
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Use hotel shuttles or private drivers
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Book guided tours for sightseeing
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Don’t plan to move around much independently
🚉 You can also use the Gautrain (airport rail link) to reach Sandton quickly and safely, but it doesn’t serve most tourist destinations.
🛑 Walking around outside of central, secured areas is not advisable due to safety and distance.
🧭 Quick Decision Table
| Your Travel Style | Car Needed? |
|---|---|
| Business stay in Sandton only | ❌ No (Uber OK) |
| Staying in a resort or with arranged transfers | ❌ No |
| Exploring museums, markets, Soweto, suburbs | ✅ Yes |
| Visiting friends/family around the city | ✅ Yes |
| Starting a self-drive safari or road trip | ✅ Yes |
| Planning a long stay or Airbnb stay | ✅ Yes |
🎯 Final Verdict
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🚗 Yes, rent a car if you want to explore Johannesburg properly. It’s the safest, fastest, and most practical way to move around the city.
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🚫 Skip the car only if you’re limiting your stay to one secure district and relying entirely on taxis, Uber, or private transfers.
🌍 Johannesburg rewards independence and mobility. A car gives you both.
Should You Hire a Car in Johannesburg — or Not? Advice on this page has been written using Chat GPT, backed up by 20 years experience in the travel industry. This site is planned for full launch on 1st January 2026. Full terms, advice, FAQs, disclaimer etc to follow. UN flag is a placeholder
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