Car Hire in Johannesburg

About Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a city in South Africa, also known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold." Johannesburg is classified as a megacity and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. It is the largest city in South Africa and one of the country's three capital cities along with Cape Town and Bloemfontein. Johannesburg is the financial and industrial capital of the country. It is also the largest city and the capital of Gauteng Province, the richest province in South Africa.

An interesting fact about Johannesburg is that it is one of the youngest megacities in the world. It was founded in 1886 after gold was discovered in the area. Due to the extremely large gold deposits found along the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg experienced a significant increase in population. The city has also developed rapidly in the past. Johannesburg still has the status of a city full of potential and is the preferred destination of Africans who dream big and want to achieve more. This city is the city of hope and unlimited possibilities. This is of course due to the status that Johannesburg has acquired in the past, but also due to the many people who have found their success here.

Johannesburg is also home to Africa's largest airport, so this city is also an important hub for other countries. You can come here to Johannesburg and then continue your journey to different countries. Johannesburg is now a very important modern city and a perfect destination for all kinds of tourists and travelers. You will definitely find something for yourself here. If you are taking a road trip through South Africa, you should definitely stay in Johannesburg for a few days. But it is also the perfect starting point for your road trip.

The best time to visit Johannesburg is from May to September, as it rains less during this time and conditions are best for visiting safari parks and other attractions. It is also important to know that the crime rate in Johannesburg is quite high, so you should be extra careful when moving around the city.

In summary, Johannesburg has everything to offer that you need if you are looking for a great destination. You can learn a lot about history and culture here by visiting various historical, cultural, and religious sites. The city is also surrounded by beautiful nature and you can always visit a safari park, zoo, etc. The city also has many great restaurants, the largest airport in the country, good connections to other parts of the country, friendly people, and much more. So, before you come to Johanessburg, do some research and make a good plan, because there are really many options here. You will not regret visiting this amazing city. Fasten your seatbelts and drive safely.

Basic info and car hire in Johannesburg

• Location: Gauteng Province, South Africa
• Population: 5,635,127
• Official language: Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu, and Afrikaans. Another official language is English, which is the primary language used in parliamentary and state discourse.
• Currency: South African Rand
• Weather: Johannesburg has a subtropical highland climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Johannesburg are in good condition.
• Car hire in Johannesburg:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Johannesburg is at the Johannesburg O. R. Tambo Airport or Johannesburg Lanceria Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Johannesburg!

 Driving in Johannesburg

Renting a car in South Africa is the best solution if you want to explore the country properly. The distances between the major cities in South Africa are quite long, but the roads are well maintained and the scenery around them is breathtaking, so it would be a shame not to drive around this amazing country. Of course, there are some things you should be aware of when driving in this country, especially when entering large cities. The largest city is Johannesburg and this is also the city with the highest density of vehicles on the roads. Traffic jams are frequent, especially in the city center.

Remember that Johannesburg is a city with a high crime rate. So when driving around, make sure you find a guarded parking lot. Muggings can also occur, especially at night when you are driving in the suburbs and in areas without public lighting.

Overall, driving in Johannesburg is not complicated, you just need to obey all traffic rules and follow the road signs on the side of the road. But of course, not all roads are perfect and if you want to explore more rural areas and villages, you should expect that roads are not as well maintained and signage is not as visible and frequent as in larger cities and on main roads.

It is also important to be extra careful when traveling in South Africa, as there are often wild animals on the road. In larger cities there are also many pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc., so you should also be careful here.

• Age limits: The minimum age to rent a car is 18 years old and you need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years. You are required by law to carry your Drivers Licence when driving. It is possible that some suppliers have a policy that anyone under the age of 23 is not eligible for vehicle hire.
• International Driving Permit:  If your driving license is not issued in English, you need to provide an official translation or have an International Driving Permit (IDP). You are required by law to carry your Drivers Licence when driving. An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not clearly identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements.  
• Additional papers:  A credit card in the name of the main driver needs to be presented. A security deposit may be required while renting a car so the credit card must have sufficient funds. You can find details about the security deposit listed while booking the vehicle as well as on your voucher. It is important to have a valid driving license with the name of the main driver as well as additional drivers when it applies.Identification(passport or ID), and valid proof of insurance. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you.  
• Additional requirements:  Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (which are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), and 2 warnings triangles, First aid kit, fire extinguisher.
• Children in the car:  In South Africa, it is illegal to travel in a car with a child under 3 years old not strapped into an approved child safety seat. Children must not sit in front of a car without a suitable restraint system. Up to three years old can sit in a rear-facing child seat where the airbag is disabled. Up to twelve years old must sit in the rear of the car with an appropriate booster seat. Ask when booking for a suitable system to be included when you collect your hire car.
• Driving side of the road: Left-hand
• Lights:  You must turn your lights on any time you can't see at least 1000 feet ahead. Use your low-beam headlights whenever it is raining.
• General speed limits: Speeding is taken seriously in South Africa. There are speed cameras in most towns and cities as well as on the outskirts of urban areas. Speed limits in the city are 60 km/h (37 mph), on rural roads 100km/h, and on the highways 120 km/h (74 mph), road signs alert drivers if the limit in a particular area is different from this.

Popular day trips from Johannesburg

Kruger National Park, Sun City, Pilanesberg National Park, Pretoria, Magaliesberg, Rustenburg, Hartbeespoort...

What to see in Johannesburg

There is really a lot to see and do in Johannesburg. There is something for everyone in this city. One of the must-visit places in Johannesburg is undoubtedly Mandela Square. This square is located in the middle of the Sandton City shopping centre (the largest shopping centre in Africa) and in the middle of the square, there is a statue of Nelson Mandela dancing.

Another important and popular place to visit in Johannesburg is Soweto and Mandela's house. Soweto is undoubtedly the most famous suburb of Johannesburg. Many demonstrations against racial segregation started in Soweto and it is the beginning of the most important movement in African history.

The Carlton Centre, or "Top of Africa" as it is called by many, is a 23-metre high building in the centre of the city and offers a fantastic panoramic view of the city.

If you want to learn more about the tragic events in Africa that have forever shaped the country and its people, be sure to visit this heartbreaking museum. It is one of the most important attractions of the city, not only because of the things we can learn by visiting this museum but also as a warning to people that we will avoid this kind of tragic event in the future.

Other places in Johannesburg that are worth visiting: Constitution Hill, Rosebank, Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park, Gautrain, Hector Pieterson Museum, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Gold Reef City, Vilakazi street, The Playground, Regina Mundi, Mabonent Pricig...

Drive your rental car beyond Johannesburg

South Africa is officially called the Republic of South Africa. This huge country is 23rd on the list of the most populous nations in the world. The interesting thing about South Africa is that it has three capitals. The executive, judicial and legislative branches are based in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town respectively. The largest city in the country is Johannesburg.

If you are planning a road trip through South Africa, you can be sure that a fantastic experience awaits you. There are so many fabulous destinations for a road trip here in this country and there are also some spectacular roads that you will experience while driving through South Africa. The most famous of these is the Garden Route, which stretches between Mossel Bay in the west and Storms River in the east. It is about 200 kilometres long and offers an unforgettable experience with its many rivers, lakes, the sea, mountains, forests and much more.

South Africa is known for the many different things you can see and do here. The country is probably best known for its amazing landscapes, diverse and unique wildlife, vibrant cities and unique culture. But in recent years, South Africa has seen significant growth in many different areas of tourism. For example, there are some world-famous wineries here that are also fantastic tourist attractions.

When in Southern Africa, be sure to visit one of the many safari parks that exist throughout the country. You can learn a lot when visiting these parks, especially about wildlife conservation, which is also very important. There are hundreds of national parks in South Africa and you should definitely visit at least one of them. A stay here in the midst of wild animals is a very special experience. The nights in these parks are especially entertaining and unique. This is an experience you will never forget in your life. The most famous safari park in the country is Kruger National Park, which is home to incredible diversity and tons of amazing wildlife, including the "Big Five" (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalo). But of course, there are many more parks in the country, here are some of them: Hluhluwe and iMfolozi National Park - It is located in the east of the country and is known for its rhino populations. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - It is located on the border with Botswana in the north and is known for its black-maned lions. Addo Elephant National Park - Located near Port Elizabeth on the south coast, this is a good choice for safaris on your own. Pilanesburg National Park & Game Reserve - Home to the Big 5, the park can be visited on a day trip from Johannesburg if you are short on time.

But there is another fantastic option for wildlife lovers. You can go whale watching, as South Africa is considered one of the best places for this kind of activity. The best time for whale watching is from June to November. There are several companies that offer and organize whale watching tours. The best and most reliable ones are Southern Right Charters, Hermanus Whale Cruises and Xplora Tours. Another nice activity you can do here is, of course, scuba diving. There are several centres for this sport spread all over South Africa. It is a great place both for beginners, who can take various courses here and for the more experienced divers, who will find some fantastic dive sites here.

For those who prefer a more active vacation, there are plenty of options here in South Africa. One of the most popular options is undoubtedly surfing. There are many fantastic beaches for surfing in both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, providing endless opportunities for surfers from all over the world. The most popular destination for surfers is Jeffrey's Bay, located on the south coast near Port Elizabeth. Other famous places for surfing are Dungeons, Long Beach, Durban...

If you are not interested in surfing, then you should look for an activity in the Drakensberg region. The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in South Africa and there are numerous opportunities for hiking, climbing, mountain biking, trekking, etc. Some of the best places in the Drakensberg are Rainbow Gorge: An easy and beautiful two-hour hiking trail in the Cathedral Peak area. Plowman's Kop: A half-day hike with a steep climb. Chain Ladders Hike: A challenging one-day hike with ladders attached to the rock wall. Cathedral Peak: This hike is best climbed with a guide. Giant's Cup Trail: Usually a five-day hike.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Johannesburg

In Johannesburg, you will find culinary delights from all parts of the world. This mega-city truly has everything you could want when it comes to food. The culinary level in South Africa is very high and here in Johannesburg, you will find some of the best chefs in the country. You can enjoy some of the top restaurants in South Africa, but you can also eat in small local places where you can feel the spirit of the Suburt around you. So there is really a wide range of different menus in the city, from traditional African cuisine to modern African cuisine and also cuisine from all parts of the world.

There are also many places where you can have a great party in Johannesburg. Almost every night there are concerts in the city, but also for those who prefer electronic music and clubs, there are many good places you can visit and party all night long.

Best restaurant in Johannesburg

Ristorante La Trinita

Mozambik Linksfield

Quills

Trumps Grillhouse and Butchery

Plaka Restaurant Cresta

The Grillhouse Rosebank