Sandton

Understand

Tourist information Sandton Tourism website

Getting there

By car From O.R. Tambo International Airport, after you exit the airport, follow R24 Johannesburg signs and the R24 to the Gillooly's Interchange, from here follow the N3 North towards Pretoria, take exit 124 (Sandton/M60 Marlboro Drive) turning left into Marlboro Drive, follow Marlboro Drive until the T-junction with Katherine Street, turn left into Katherine Street, and follow Katherine Street into Sandton. From the M1, take exit 23 (Sandton/M40 Grayston Drive) or exit 26 (Sandton/M60 Marlboro Dr), and follow Marlboro Drive west until the T junction with Katherine Street (400 m), and turn left at Katherine Street into Sandton. From the N1, take exit 100 (Sandton/M9 Rivonia Road) and follow Rivonia Road south towards Sandton or exit 95 (Sandton/R511 William Nicol Drive) and follow south until it intersects with Sandton Drive, where you turn left. 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. Car hire is available from Pace Car Rental in Marlboro.

By train 1 Sandton Gautrain railway station. (updated Dec 2020) 2 Marlboro Gautrain railway station. (updated Sep 2021) 3 Rosebank Gautrain railway station. (updated Oct 2025)

Getting around

By metered taxi Taxis can be found at entrance 12 to Sandton City. Metered cabs can also be hired by calling Safecab on +27 861 66-55-66 or Sandton Taxi Cabs on +2711 039 4402. It is illegal for metered taxis to be hailed as is seen in many other cities (e.g. in New York City). Passengers may catch taxis only if booked in advance (in person or by telephone), the only exception being in demarcated metered taxi zones.

By bus Several main Metrobus routes serve the Sandton area, running regularly during the day in 30 min to 60 min 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 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.

By train Park Station is Johannesburg's central station and is in the city center between Rissik (west), Wolmarans (north), Wanderers (east) and De Villiers (south) streets, it occupies several blocks. Whilst the station itself is quite safe, the areas around it may not be. Be careful and try to organise onward transport prior to arrival. All long-distance Spoornet trains are quite safe, as are most MetroRail trains. The best advice is to ask local people prior to using any public transport. Spoornet is a freight train company but they do have a branch that offers a passenger service called: Shosholoza Meyl. There are 8 primary routes that link South Africa's cities with smaller towns along each route. There are regular inter-city trains to destinations all over the country, including Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth, East London, Piet

See

Nelson Mandela Statue, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City. The 6-m bronze statue of Nelson Mandela is a favourite photo spot for tourists. Gallery on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 784-2847, fax: +27 11 784-2849, [email protected]. M-Sa 9AM to 6PM. Exhibitions of South African and international art.

Museums 1 South African National Museum of Military History, Erlswold Way, Saxonwold, ☏ +27 11 646-5513, [email protected]. daily 09:00-16:30. A good collection of military hardware, including one of very few ME 262 jet fighters from World War II still in existence. There is also a huge South African-built G6 self-propelled, 155mm howitzer on show. A snack shop as well as a shop selling genuine and reproduction vintage military equipment is located within the museum. R20 entrance fee. 2 Liliesleaf Farm, 7 George Ave. Heritage site and museum, the farm is noted for its use as a safe house for African National Congress activists in the 1960s. One of the places making up the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites. (updated Dec 2020) 3 Sophiatown Heritage & Cultural Centre, 73 Toby Street, Sophiatown (close to Melville/Westdene), ☏ +27 11 673-1271. Tu W F 10:00–16:00, Th 10:00–18:00, Sa 10:00–13:00. In February 1955, the government evicted over 60,000 residents of the thriving multi-racial neighbourhood and razed their homes and businesses in order to create a new whites-only town. Sophiatown’s mix of political, literary, music, social, criminal and cultural “movers and shakers” provided a backdrop for this important period in Johannesburg’s history. Entrance: R25 adult, R10 child; group tours, school programmes; R60 adult, R30 child: guided walking tour of Sophiatown.

Do

Theatre on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, ☏ +27 11 883-8606, +27 83 377-4969, fax: +27 11 883-9673, [email protected]. Shows Sa 6PM and 9PM, Tu-F 8:15PM. Usually R100 per person. 1 Montecasino, 1 Montecasino Blvd. A massive entertainment and casino complex. (updated Dec 2020) 2 Montecasino Bird Gardens, Montecasino Boulevard (Cnr William Nicol and Witkoppen Roads), Fourways (from the N1, take exit 95 (Marked: 95 Sandton/R511 William Nicol Dr) and head north, cross over Leslie Ave and turn right into Mentecasino Blvd), ☏ +27 11 511-1864. M-F 08:30-17:00, Sa Su 08:30-18:00. Many birds and other small wildlife. Also look out for the 2500-year-old tree located near the parrots. Flight of Fantasy Shows at 11:00 and 15:00 weekdays and 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 on weekends. 3 South African Lipizzaners, 1 Dahlia Road, Kyalami (Follow the N1 towards Pretoria, take exit 108 Midrand, R561 Allandale Road towards Kyalami. Kyalami Road and Main Road intersects at the entrance to the Kyalami racetrack, turn right here. At the second traffic light, turn left and follow Main Road, look out for Maple Road to your right. Turn right into Maple Road and right again into Crocus Road), ☏ +27 11 702-2103, fax: +27 11 468-2718, [email protected]. Other than Vienna, this is the only place you will ever got to see performing Lipizzaners recognized by the Spanish Riding School. Booking can also be done via Computicket. 4 Cricket at Wanderers Stadium, Corlett Drive, Illovo, ☏ +27 11 340 1500. The largest cricket ground in the country, holding 34,000. Nicknamed "The Bullring" for its design and the imposing atmosphere of its partisan crowd, it hosts Test matches and World Lions in domestic tournaments. (updated Oct 2023) 5 Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, End of Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort (the gardens can be tricky to find as they are not well signposted from the main roads: from the N1 get onto Hendrik Potgieter at exit 80 (Roodepoort/M8 14th Ave); follow