Gautrain Urban Railway System
The Gautrain Urban Railway is primarily designed to cater for urban commuters,andit is probably less well known that this network also opens up sightseeing opportunities for tourists, both local and foreign. Not only can you very easily get from OR Tambo International to the heart of Sandton, but you can now select tourism opportunities between Park Station in the South and Hatfield in the North.
1. Paying for your ticket (or topping up your card) before you get to the platform:
If you are a tourist and you want to travel between different stations during your stay - either for shopping, dining or sightseeing - we recommend that you purchase a Gold Card and load it with Rand. This will enable you catch trains and buses (and park if you need to), without having to wait in queues at the ticket office, and you can re-charge your ticket at any time.
2. Knowing how to get to the station of your choice:
The route is simple to follow if you understand the basics about the train map:The Red Route (north to south)is the one that should be explored by tourists, as it takes you through the main cities and suburbs of the greater Joburg area, and gives you access to attractions that are in and around the Gautrain Stations. The Blue Route (east to west) is mainly for commuters as there is little at this stage to attract a tourist to this route.The Gold Route (east to west) is the line for arriving/departing passengers - it runs from Sandton Station to OR Tambo and back again.
3. Deciding how you will get from your station to your final destination (accommodation, attractions, restaurants, etc).