Johannesburg Travel Forum

Can anyone give me a taxi rate from the airport to Backpackers Ritz on 1A North Road? The hostel sends a transfer for 170R if after 7:30. Is this a good deal?

This is quite a few Km's from the airport. R170 is not cheap but I doubt if you will get anything cheaper. The bus from the airport stops at the station in JHB and the accommodation is quite far from there. So you will still need a taxi to get to your destination. This transfer sounds like the best option.

I used the transfer service when I was staying there a couple of years ago and was told that there would be someone waiting for me with my name on a sign when I arrived.

However, when I got there. Nothing.

It was kinda scary as I did not have a cell phone (or change to use a pay phone). Luckily someone offered to lend me their phone to call the Backpackers Ritz.

From what I heard from other travellers staying there at the same time, this is usual for the hostel. They wait for you to call them on arrival before they send someone.

This is fine, but they should tell people that when they book.

Just make sure that you have their contact number and be prepared to call them, and wait, when you arrive at the airport.

Call tehm immediately once you've landed. By the time you've cleared passport control and collected your baggage they should be there. If it is 07:30 am it might take a while because it is peak time but if it is 7:30 pm it shouldn't take them more than 1/2 an hour to get to the airport. I don't know if you are specifically going to JHB or if you are going somewhere else because there are many places closer to the airport if you are just staying overnight. The airport is 5 min from Kempton PArk/ Boksburg and Benoni.