Search Flights from Johannesburg to Dubai

Johannesburg which is accepted as one of the most important trade, sports and culture centers of not only South Africa but also the Africa continent and the region is also referred to as the busiest airport of the country. The distance from the airport to the city center is approximately 23 kilometers in the city where a great number of airline companies perform flights every day.

There are many transportation options in this city for visitors. You can benefit from many options such as taxi, bus, minibus taxi, train, car rental, hotel services or limousine to get to the airport from the city center in about 30-45 minutes. Although buses and minibus taxis are the most economical option to get to the airport from the city center, they are not usually recommended for tourists.

Although the taxi is a more expensive alternative, it stands out as the most comfortable and recommended vehicle. It is possible to get to the airport by renting a car or by getting on the trains from the central parts of the city.

Bus

For the transportation from Johannesburg's city center to the airport buses are the most economical alternatives. However, it is generally not recommended if you are visiting the city for the first time because the stops are not very close to the hotels and there is a risk of missing your plane with a possible delay. However, if you want to use the buses to get to the airport, you can get information about this issue from your hotel.

Minibus Taxi

In Johannesburg, minibus taxi is another alternative you can use to get to the airport from the city center. Minibus taxis operate similarly with the buses in the city, but they are usually not licensed. For this reason, if you are considering using a minibus taxi, definitely get information about the routes and fares in advance. In this way, you do not spend too much time on the road and pay too much.

Train

You can also go to the Johannesburg Airport by using the trains departing from the city center. Although train is an extremely convenient and comfortable alternative for those living in the city, it can be a little challenging for those visiting the city for the first time. However, you can consider it as an option to reach the airport from the city center. After arriving at the airport, you can easily catch your plane by using the domestic or international terminals.

Hotel Services

Hotel service may be the most comfortable alternative that you can use to get to the airport from the city center. You can get support from your hotel for the transportation to the airport. However, keep in mind that the cost of these services, which usually operate at certain hours, may be higher than the other alternatives.

If you still want to use the hotel services, you can make a reservation by getting in contact with your hotel the day before your flight and you will be able to reach the airport easily with the vehicle you will take in front of your hotel.

Taxi

You can also travel to the airport by taxi that you can easily find in the city center. For the transportation to Johannesburg Airport, the amount you need to pay is a bit higher compared to taxi. Because the distance between the airport and the city center is not very short, and this is the main reason for the increase in fares. Nevertheless, if you have too much baggage to carry, you should consider taking a taxi and have a comfortable travel. In this way, you can get to the airport easily and catch your flight on time. It is possible to distinguish the taxis in the city thanks to their yellow lights. If you have trouble in finding a taxi, you can also ask for help from your hotel.

Car Rental

You can rent a car in the city to comfortably explore the historical and natural beauties around Johannesburg, and you can also rent a car for going to the airport. Renting a car for travelling to the airport from the city center is an extremely comfortable option for covering the distance of about 23 kilometers. You can rent a car having the features you want from the offices of companies such as AVIS, Europcar and Hertz, and you can deliver your car to their offices located at the airport before boarding your plane. However, if you intend to leave the car in a different place instead of the office you have rented the vehicle from, it is a good idea to specify this when renting the vehicle.

Limousine

In the city, which is one of the most important commercial centers of Africa and the world, renting a limousine is also a popular alternative. There are many different limousine rental services in the city.

You can rent a limousine with the features you want and comfortable travel around the city with your own driver.

You can also prefer limousines for travelling to the airport and you can reach the airport in a much more comfortable and quick way before your flight.

Airport Information

The airport, which connects Johannesburg, considered one of the most important centers of Africa, to the different destinations of the continent and the world, has busy flight traffic in the region. The airport has wireless internet which you can connect to from both domestic and international terminals.

There are restaurants and cafes where you can eat or drink something before or after your flight, stores and a duty-free shop where you can do some shopping. ATMs are also available next to the stores in the international terminal and the domestic terminal.

At the airport, there are also bank offices for performing money transactions, a chapel and prayer room for worshipers, and a conference room for those travelling for business purpose. There is also a post office in the international terminal of the airport.

There is also a store that sells phones and accessories at the airport. The airport also has currency exchange offices and car rental offices where you can rent cars. You can check your flight information from the boards and kiosks located at different points of the airport and you can handle your online check-in process.

As the distance between Johannesburg city centre and O.R. Tambo International Airport is not much, you can travel to the airport from the city centre in a short time and at reasonable prices. Locals mostly prefer public transportation such as bus or train in the city, but it is recommended to the new travelers in the city to prefer taxi for transportation instead of these vehicles. You can easily find a taxi at any time of the day in the city centre. Also remember that there are many rent a car offices in the city centre if you consider renting a car. Passengers who give priority to comfort and convenience while traveling to the airport from the city centre may consider renting a limousine as well. Limousines transport passengers to the airport from the city centre in about 30 minutes. Train is also another option for traveling to the airport from the city centre but like bus, it is not recommended to the new travelers for safety reasons.

Bus

Bus, one of the most preferred vehicles by the locals to travel to the airport from Johannesburg city centre, is not recommended to the foreign visitors for safety reasons. It takes about 35 – 40 minutes to get to the airport by buses departing from the city centre. If you want to travel by bus you can go to the one of the bus stops in the city centre. If you are staying in a hotel in the city, you can get information about buses and bus stops from your hotel. Remember, however, that you should look at other options if your priority is safety rather than a low cost travel.

Taxi

In Johannesburg, taxis are the most preferred means of transportation especially by foreign travelers. You can be at the airport terminal in a short time by taking these safe and fast vehicles. Taxi fares are not too high for the tourists in the city. However, if you are traveling from somewhere far from the airport, you can get information about the taxi fee in advance. Taxis can take you from your hotel or from anywhere in the city centre and bring you to the airport terminal. They stand out as a much more preferable option when compared to the public transportation such as buses and trains.

Train

Trains are also a convenient and fast option to travel to O.R. Tambo International Airport from the city centre. However, like buses, they are not recommended to the foreign visitors for security reasons. You can take a taxi or rent a car or a limousine as an alternative for a safer and more comfortable journey.

Limousine

Business travelers in Johannesburg often prefer limousines for transportation. These luxurious and comfortable vehicles, driven by chaffeurs, take you from the city centre and bring you to the airport entrance in about 30 minutes. Although renting a limousine is comfortable and pleasant, it will cost more than the other options. You can use these vehicles at a cheaper price with seasonal discounts or group reservations.

Rent a Car

Renting a car is one of the most preferred means of transportation in Johannesburg and vicinity. You can find some rent a car companies such as AVIS, Budget, National and Hertz in the city and within minutes, you can rent a car and begin driving to the airport. If you are not familiar with the city’s roads, remember to get a navigation device or a map beforehand. You just need to inform the rental company in advance if you want to drop off the car at the airport. You must have your internationally valid travel documents with you to rent a car.

Airport Information

Domestic and international terminals at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport offer an extremely pleasant and comfortable environment with lounges, cafes, restaurants and shops to the passengers. Thanks to the wireless internet connection at the airport, you can go online and make your transactions in many areas of the terminal. There are also ATMs and bank offices at the airport for those who want to send or withdraw money or make other banking transactions without leaving the terminal. You can change money at the exchange offices or banks at the airport. There are places of worship in the O.R. Tambo International Airport for Muslim and Christian visitors who wish to pray. You can use the conference room at the domestic terminal if you need to hold a meeting at the airport. You can send mails to different regions both home and abroad from the post office located at the international terminal of the airport. You will find many options such as telephone and accessories, electronic devices, clothes, books, newspapers and magazines if you want to shop at the airport. You have the opportunity to taste delicious meals and drinks from many parts of the world, such as South Africa, Asia and Europe at the airport. You can spend time at the passenger lounges which have comfortable seats. If you have to stay in a place close to the airport, you can make a reservation for one of the hotels around the terminals.

Taxi

Taxi rates in Dubai are quite cheap. Since the airport is located in such close proximity to the city center taxis are one of the most preferred methods of transportation. Especially if you’re traveling with a few people! Airport taxis belong to a state-run company and all of them operate by using a taximeter. Most of the taxi drivers are immigrants who speak English. The taxi ride to the city center from the airport is quite short, when there’s no traffic. For example, it takes about 10 minutes to get to the city center and about 15 minutes to get to the World Trade Center. You can find airport taxis at the arrivals hall exit of every terminal. 

Bus

Buses are the cheapest transportation alternative to get to the city center but taking a taxi is a bit more laborious. Buses are also a slower method of transportation especially if you have a lot of luggage and land during rush hour.  People who are familiar with the city generally prefer taking the bus. You can access different buses from the airport’s three terminals. However, the main bus line passes by the bus stop in front of Terminal 1. Most of the international flights to Dubai land at Terminal 1. Some lines pass by more than one terminal. There are bus lines with various routes that run every 20-30 minutes from Terminal 1. The most widely used bus lines to get to the city center are lines 401 and 402. Bus line 401 departs from Dubai International Airport and goes to the Al Sabkha stop, with stops along the way including DNATA, Al Maktoum Road, and Deira Taxi Station.

Bus line 402 departs from the airport and goes to the Al Ghubaiba stop, with stops along the way including Deira City Center, Al Karama, Golden Sands, and Al Mankhool.

In addition to these two main lines there are other lines that pass in front of Terminal 1. You can take the C1 bus to Satwa Bus Station, bus No. 4 to the Rashidiya stop or Gold Souq stop, or bus X28 to destinations that are further away, like the Jebel Ali stop. You can also access these stops taking other buses that follow different routes.

Buses usually operate from 5 am to 11 pm. The operating hours for certain bus lines can vary. There are also bus lines that operate at night. For example the C1 line is a night bus, which departs from Terminal 3, passes by Terminal 1, and runs on the following route to the Satwa Bus Station, Cargo Village, Flame Intersection, DNATA, Clock Tower, and El Maktum.

The N4 bus, which goes to the same station but passes through Deira City Center, is another. The N1 night bus departs from Terminal 2, stops at Terminal 1, and goes through Deira City Center all the way to the Jebel Ali Gardens.

Passengers going to Abu Dhabi from Dubai need to get on the buses departing from Al Ghubaiba. Abu Dhabi is located 160 km from the city center and the bus ride there takes about 2 hours.

Similarly, those who want to go to Sharjah, which is located 10 km from Dubai, can find buses that depart from the same stop. One thing to take note of is making sure to get your bus ticket or bus card before boarding the bus because you cannot pay in cash on the bus. You can purchase a single use or daily use bus card. You have to swipe your card twice on the bus, once when you get on and once when you get off. 

Metro

One of the easiest and most comfortable transportation alternatives to get to the city center is by metro. By using Dubai’s modern metro network you can get to the city center and surrounding locations avoiding any traffic. A standard metro ticket is slightly more expensive than the bus but it is still very reasonable. The metro also features different ticket classes for those who want a more comfortable experience. The Gold Class ticket is twice as much as a standard ticket. The Dubai Metro also has areas reserved solely for women and children. These areas are not mandatory but women who want can travel in a separate section by using these areas. The Dubai Metro runs from 5:50 am to midnight, except on Fridays. On Fridays the metro doesn’t start to run until 1 pm. If you have to go to the airport after midnight you won’t be able to use the metro.

The Dubai Metro operates two lines, the Red Line and the Green Line. You can access the Red Line from Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at the airport. The metro system is fully automated and runs without a driver. The metro departs every 4 to 8 minutes.

Trains that depart from the Rashidiya Station to Jebel Ali Metro Station pass by the following stops respectively, Emirates, Airport Terminal 3, Airport Terminal 1, GIGICO, Deira City Center, Al Rigga, Union, Burjuman, Al Karama, Al Jafiliya, World Trade Center, Emirates Tower, Financial Centre, Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Noor Bank, First Gulf Bank, Mall of Emirates, Sharaf, Dubai Internet City, Nakheel, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lakes Tower, Nakheel Harbour, Ibn Battuta, Energy and Danube. A significant part of this route is above ground so you can enjoy views of the city. The Union and Burjuman stops along this route intersect with the Green Line, which passes through the Old City. Passengers can transfer to the Green Line from these stops and head to different areas. The Green Line operates between the Etisalat Metro Station and the Creek Metro Station. Stations on the Green Line are Etisalat, Al Qusais, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Al Nahda, Statdium, Al Qiyadah, Abu Hail, Abu Baker Al Siddique, Salah Al Din, Union, Baniyas Square, Palm Deira, Al Ras, Al Ghubaiba, Al Fahidi, Burjuman, Oud Metha, Dubai Healthcare City, Al Jadaf, and Creek. 

You can get off the metro at a stop that is convenient for you and transfer to a bus or take a taxi to reach your destination. There are many hotels and shopping centers that are located about 15-minutes away from these stops on foot.

Rental Car

You can rent a car at the airport from rental car companies located in each terminal. The price of gasoline in the city is fairly cheap, which allows for a more flexible itinerary. For example, if you rent a car while in Dubai you could travel to other cities in the United Arab Emirates like Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. Visiting these cities by car is much more convenient than using public transportation options.

There are 12 rental car companies at Dubai International Airport; Avis, Budget, Al Wefaq, Diamondlease, Dollar, Europcar, Fast, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty.

Hotel Shuttle Service

There are many hotels in Dubai that offer shuttle services to and from the airport. However these services are usually for a cost. We recommend inquiring about these services when making your hotel reservation. Some hotels that are located in close proximity to the airport might offer this shuttle service for free.

Sharjah International Airport, connecting Dubai with other centers in the world, is about 15 kilometers away from the city center. While there are means of public transports that you can benefit in this route, these vehicles do not operate frequently. If you want to go to Sharjah or Dubai from the airport, the best option would be to take a taxi. You can find a taxi 24 hours a day at the airport. If you are planning to spend a few days or more in the city, you can also opt for renting a car as an alternative to the taxis. Almost all of the major international car rental companies serve passengers at the airport. Getting to the center of Dubai from Sharjah International Airport takes an average of 20-30 minutes. If you will get on the road in the city at a time when traffic is heavy, you should not forget it will take you a bit longer than this.

Car Rental

You can rent a car 24 hours a day, seven days a week from companies such as Hertz, Budget, Maximum, Sixt, Europcar, Dollar and AVIS which serve at Sharjah International Airport. If you would like to rent a car from Hertz, you can contact the company at 06-552-8290 and get information. If you prefer to rent your car from Budget, you can call the rental office at 06-558-0366 for more detailed information and reserve your car. If you wish your car to be ready at the airport close to the city center of Dubai when you land, you can also call companies like Sixt at 06-558-0310, Europcar at 06-558-1322 and Dollar Rent A Car at 06-336-5065.

Bus

You can also take the bus from the airport to the get to the city center of Sharjah or Dubai. But you have to keep in mid that it is not possible to take a bust to go to Dubai from the airport late at night. If you need to get to Sharjah and your flight is not too late, you can take advantage of buses departing every 15 minutes. Although they are not practical and fast, buses stand out with their advantages in terms of price. As a more economical and alternative method, you can also take the bus to the city center and continue by taxi to the hotel or to other places you want to reach in the city.

Taxi

Passengers landing to Dubai's Sharjah International Airport mostly prefer taxis to get to the center of Dubai or Sharjah . At the airport there is a 24-hour taxi service every day of the week. You can continue your trip to the city center by taking one of these taxis as soon as you exit the terminal, without having to search for any different vehicles. All the taxis in Dubai have taximeters. Thanks to these devices, you can travel without worrying about the amount you will pay. The opening fare of the taxis at the airport is usually more than the ones in the center. On the other hand, the average fare for the journey from the airport to the city center would cost around 30-40 USD.

Private Airport Shuttle

If you need to travel from the airport to the center of the city with a few people or more crowded groups, one of the best vehicles you can choose without a doubt is the private airport shuttles. Many companies in the city offer this service. The fares of these shuttles vary according to the distance traveled and the number of passengers. You can reach your hotel or other important points in the center of Dubai with these private shuttles. If you reserve one of these vehicles and pay in advance of your arrival, you can benefit from these at more reasonable prices and you can find your shuttle ready at the terminal at the time of your arrival.

Luxury Transfer Vehicles

If you want to travel from Sharjah International Airport to the city center with a much more luxurious and comfortable vehicle, you can choose limousines that are preferred mostly by those visiting the city for business purposes. The limousines that pick up their passengers from the departure gates of Sharjah Airport take them to the center very quickly compared to other vehicles. This is also why limousines offer a great advantage for passengers who want to save time.