Can we leave Jo'berg airport and return in 7 hours?

[Mike Wachtel]

I may have asked my question on the wrong thread previously, question is about our 7-1/2 layover in Jo'berg from Windhoek; can we safely leave the airport, have dinner and see the city, in that time frame? Back through Jo'berg customs...we arrive 3:25 from Windhoek, don't depart for Atlanta until 10:55 PM...Thanks, Mike Wachtel

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Yes if you stay away from “Teasers”!

 

[Mike Wachtel]

What do you mean by "teasers"? Should we book a short-term tour guide in advance? Mike

 

[Jörg Krüger]

Teasers is a well know Strip club. No need to book for that, but you might want to lengthen your stay over.

What do you mean by "teasers"? Should we book a short-term tour guide in advance? Mike

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Catch the Gautrain to Sandton, have a look around, dinner in Mandela Square, then the Gautrain back. Do not attempt this with taxis or uber.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

When you come out of the Gautrain Sandton station get a taxi to Sandton City, it is a short walk, but you can waste precious time finding your way.

 

[Mike Wachtel]

LOL on Teasers! Will be with my wife! Will check out Gautrain; problems with taxis in Jo'berg? ...Just checked out the Gautrain on you tube; we've successfully done the metro in DC, we should be able to negotiate this system!? I had no idea this existed! Thanks, Mike Wachtel

 

[Mike Wachtel]

Catch the Gautrain to Sandton, have a look around, dinner in Mandela Square, then the Gautrain back. Do not attempt this with taxis or uber.

Dinner recommendation?

 

[Mike Wachtel]

Yes if you stay away from “Teasers”!

You are wicked! No "Teasers" with my wife along! LOL But maybe on my second trip to Africa...Mike.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

my advice is get a half day tour guide
he can take you for a great dinner and the right place to look around
to be honest, you basically only have time for a good dinner, with getting out of customs etc and in time to get back through
maybe go to emperors palace, its a casino complex very close to airport, but there are a few great restaurants there

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Teasers a strip club? Nah more of a gentleman's club, oh flip flops and shorts not allowed, I hear.

 

[Zambezi]

Google Mandela Square restaurants. You can choose the cuisine that you like.

I recommend The Butcher Shop if you like good steaks / seafood.

 

[PeteG]

Yes if you stay away from “Teasers”!

Best (worst) advice ever...

I may have asked my question on the wrong thread previously, question is about our 7-1/2 layover in Jo'berg from Windhoek; can we safely leave the airport, have dinner and see the city, in that time frame? Back through Jo'berg customs...we arrive 3:25 from Windhoek, don't depart for Atlanta until 10:55 PM...Thanks, Mike Wachtel

Are you travelling with firearms? If so that might add on a bit of time to clear customs and immigration.

once you land, it can be anything from 20 mins to 45mins to clear immigration and collect luggage.
Check in for international flights is 2hrs before departure, you can do it in less, I often do but its not as risky for me compared to your flight over the pond.

So between collecting luggage and getting back to the airport you should have about 5hrs to spare.

Emperors palace would be a good option, close and easy to get to.

 

[Mike Wachtel]

my advice is get a half day tour guide
he can take you for a great dinner and the right place to look around
to be honest, you basically only have time for a good dinner, with getting out of customs etc and in time to get back through
maybe go to emperors palace, its a casino complex very close to airport, but there are a few great restaurants there

Thanks!

Best (worst) advice ever...




Are you travelling with firearms? If so that might add on a bit of time to clear customs and immigration.

once you land, it can be anything from 20 mins to 45mins to clear immigration and collect luggage.
Check in for international flights is 2hrs before departure, you can do it in less, I often do but its not as risky for me compared to your flight over the pond.

So between collecting luggage and getting back to the airport you should have about 5hrs to spare.

Emperors palace would be a good option, close and easy to get to.

No firearms, will be renting from our PH.

Google Mandela Square restaurants. You can choose the cuisine that you like.

I recommend The Butcher Shop if you like good steaks / seafood.

Thanks!

 

[Mike Wachtel]

Tour guide recommendations? Airport pick up, take us to dinner, and drop off back at the airport. Mike

 

[Mike Wachtel]

You guys are fantastic! So glad I found this site! Mike and Becky from Lacona, Iowa, on our way to a dream come true in Namibia! Thanks!

 

[JimP]

I think that with that short of a layover I would get a day room at one of the hotels attached to the airport, take a shower and get some rest. Then you will feel a lot better on the next leg of the trip.

 

[Zambezi]

Can't recommend a tour guide offhand as I have been out of the game for about 10 years now. BUT make sure than the guide you choose is registered (they will be displaying their tour guide lapel badge) as you don't want a fly by night or chancer. Registered tour guides have to complete training for every province they operate in so that the customer gets a great and informative tour, not just someone who will take you past the nearest statute and call it a day.

 

[Desperatezulu]

The Gautrain is a good recommendation in that it is quick (although there can be a 10-20 min wait between departures) and you take the traffic variable out of the equation. That presumes you want to go to Sandton or Rosebank.

To help guide your thinking and goals - it's about a 30 min drive to Sandton each way, in light traffic. In rush hour traffic, the road to the airport can become a nightmare. I see your arrival time will realistically put you in rush hour traffic going into the city (4pm onwards) although you will be going in the opposite direction to the heaviest flow. Heading back in the evening by road won't be an issue.

I am not sure how much time you will really have though... Land at 3:30pm, at best you'll exit the airport at 4:15pm, after customs and making a plan with your luggage. Assume 45 mins into the city/Sandton so you arrive at 5pm. You'd need/want to be back at the airport by 9pm, so leave Sandton at 8:30pm at the latest. Leaves you with 3.5hrs to look around.

I'd second the suggestion to go to Mandela Square - pretty touristy but upmarket and safe. Nice places to grab a drink and a bite to eat. And it's close to the Gautrain station. Rosebank is also an option with a Gautrain station. Also an upmarket mall although smaller than Sandton City/ Mandela Square.

Any more ambitious tourist ideas like visiting Soweto or going to Cambanos for curios is further out and really needs a private car and guide and more time IMO.

Emperors Palace???? Mmmm think 3rd rate Las Vegas back alley vibe. Ha ha! You can get better food at the airport and I doubt experiencing an SA casino is much of a priority. But it is close to the airport. There is also Carnival City which is in Brakpan, about 10-15 mins from airport. Similar vibe.

 

[WAB]

You don’t really have that much time. If it were me, I would go to Quills for dinner. That is the restaurant in the intercontinental hotel on the airport grounds. It’s been years since I ate there, but at the time it was outstanding. Their wine list was truly impressive.