Everything You Need to Know about Using the Gautrain

Gautrain: (noun) mass rapid transit railway system in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Can be used as a verb, as in "I am Gautraining it today."

Cast your mind way, way back. The year is 2000 and Destiny's Child "Independent Women" is the smash hit of the year. Around about this time, South Africa is in a celebratory mood as the 21st century is named the African Century and the Gautrain Project is announced.

Fast-forward to today and the Gautrain has made travelling between Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Ekurhuleni so easy. To experience the 80 kilometre mass rapid magic for yourself, here's your handy guide to using the Gautrain:

1. First of all, you have to get to a station.

With a dedicated Gautrain Bus service and convenient drop-off and Park-and-Ride facilities to help you get to the stations, using the Gautrain is easy-peasy. For bus routes near you, click here.

Tip: To use the bus service, each passenger must have a loaded Gautrain Gold Card. Cards can be purchased at the stations and at various retailers. But remember, the bus service is not operational on the weekends or public holidays. However, this excludes the Montecasino shuttle.

Maslow Hotel guests take note! Since The Maslow already offers luxurious accommodation near the Gautrain, it was only fitting that the best Sandton hotel also offers complimentary return transfer service every 30 minutes to the Sandton Gautrain station. Make the most of this service and squeeze in a shopping spree at Sandton City while you're at it!

2. Check train times and buy your ticket.

The peak periods are from Monday to Friday with the morning peak period running from 05h30 to 08h30 and the afternoon peak period running from 15h00 to 18h00.

During peak periods there is a train every 12 minutes and every 20 minutes during off-peak periods. On the weekends and public holidays, you can catch a train every 30 minutes.

Tip:Remember to have at least R21 available on your Gautrain Gold Card to access any fare gate.

3. If you regularly Gautrain it, register your Gautrain Gold Card.

Although this is not required, by registering your card you can ensure that if your card is lost or stolen, your unused credit can be transferred to a new card. Registering your card can be done at the Ticketing Office at all stations.

Tip: Regular Gautrain passengers should check out the regular commuter saving options available by clicking here.

Enjoy the journey, but remember no eating or drinking!

Noted for its sparkling clean interior, eating and drinking is strictly prohibited on all trains.

Tip: Out-of-towners looking for accommodation near the Gautrain should check out The Maslow.

Moms and tots take note:
Travelling with a pram? No worries, the family-friendly Gautrain stations are fitted with wide fare gates that can fit tractor-sized prams and there are baby changing facilities at all stations.

Tell us: do you use the Gautrain?