The Gautrain, touted as the first rapid transit system in Africa, or at leased South Africa, went live just before the World Cup in 2010, but I only rode it for the first time last night from Sandton to ORT (Johannesburg) International Airport and back again. Firstly some basic information, The Train runs from 5.30 to 20.30 daily and the trip each way costs R100.00 (about US$15) you also have to purchase a rail card which costs R10.00(about US$1.50) and is reusable and rechargeable . The trip each way lasts 15 minutes compared to what can be an hour by road, depending on traffic, and there are trains about every 15 minutes. There seems to be plenty of staff around to help first time uses and they seem to be well trained, friendly and professional. The website is Southafrica.net

The train is fast and clean with what seems to be excellent security. Its terminal at ORT International is inside the Airport terminal building between the two main terminals and well sign posted, so minimal walking when you arrive or leave and no walking across car parks or outside. Although there are other stops Sandton would be the main one for newly arriving tourists. The Sandton terminal is also clean, modern with what seems to be excellent security. Access and egress from the platform is by elevator so no lugging cases up stairs and escalators. Outside the main entrances is a pick up and drop off area and a taxi rank. From what I saw the taxis there are all from reputable companies and I didn’t see any gypsy caps. There is a lot of security around. Gautrain also operates a bus service from the terminal building that seems to have ok prices and their route seems to have been designed with the tourist in mind running close to all the major hotel hubs, the busses are new and clean and used by Gautrain users and maybe staff. They are not part of the public bus service you have to have a rail card to pay for the bus. The plans to extent the rapid transit system and extend it seem to be going ahead as planned.

For price and convenience, if you are traveling alone or time is an issue, and you cant con me into picking you up, its definitely an option however if there are two or more of you traveling together it might be worth checking with a taxi to compare rates (the Gautrain costs R220 for two travelers) but from a speed, safety and convenience point of view I have no hesitation in recommending the Gautrain.