Note to Susfloos: Head to the Apartheid Museum or Newtown

Susfloos posts a query on the BootsnAll South Africa travel forum: what to do during a five hour layover in Johannesburg?

If you were both coming and going via Johannesburg International Airport, Susfloos, the answer would be: nothing. It’s too far from the city to justify a trek in. But, since you’ll be transferring from the airport to the Intercape Bus terminus at Joburg’s train station, which is in the center of the CBD (more or less), you do have an option or two.

First choice would be a visit to the Apartheid Museum, which is about 15 minutes’ drive from the station, near Gold Reef City. Second choice would be to get dropped off in the city’s Newtown precinct, about 5 minutes’ drive away, for a visit to the MuseuMAfrikA and its surrounding shops.

It will likely take you about an hour to get from the airport to the train station; budget at least two hours for the Apartheid museum, and at least one hour for the Newtown precinct. Catch a private, metered taxi at the train station to get around (be sure to get your driver’s cell phone number, so he can pick you up again), and budget about R250 each for the excursions, including museum entrance fees, food, and taxi fares.

Hope this helps!