Getting Around Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein sits in the middle of South Africa, which makes it a natural crossroads for road and rail travel. For visitors, though, the practical reality is that the city is spread out and public transport is limited, so most people get around by car. Below is a plain guide to the options that exist and how to use them.
By Car
As with most of South African cities, the most practical way for a visitor to get around Bloemfontein is to hire a car. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to reach the city's museums, the Franklin Game Reserve, Naval Hill and other attractions at your own pace, without depending on sparse public transport.
Several major rental companies operate desks at Bloemfontein Airport, so you can pick up a car on arrival:
- Avis – Bloemfontein Airport, +27 51 433-2331. Open Mon–Fri 6AM–8PM, Sat 8AM–4PM.
- Tempest Car Hire – Bloemfontein Airport, +27 51 433-2146. Open Mon–Fri 6:30AM–6:30PM, Sat 8AM–2PM.
- Hertz – Bloemfontein Airport, +27 51 400-2100. Open Mon–Fri 6:30AM–7:30PM, Sat 7:30AM–5PM.
- First Car Rental – Bloemfontein Airport, +27 51 430-0390. Open Mon–Fri 7AM–8PM, Sat 8AM–4PM.
If you are driving yourself into the city, note that the N1, N6 and N8 national highways all meet in Bloemfontein, making it easily reachable from any part of the country. The N1 northbound towards Gauteng is a toll road, so budget for tolls on that route.
By Train
Bloemfontein is a major rail junction in the middle of South Africa, but passenger services have been reduced. Trains run by Shosholoza Meyl connect Johannesburg with Port Elizabeth and East London, operating three times a week. This makes rail a viable but infrequent option for reaching the city from other major centres rather than a day-to-day way of getting around once you are there.
The city's railway station is centrally located, at the corner of Charlotte Maxeke Street and Harvey Street.
By Bus
A number of long-distance bus services offer connections between Bloemfontein and major South African cities. These are useful for arriving in or leaving the city, and operators include:
- Greyhound – +27 83 915-9000
- Intercape Mainliner – +27 21 380-4400
- Translux
- SA Roadlink – +27 11 333-2223
These are intercity services rather than a local city bus network, so treat them as a way to get in and out of Bloemfontein rather than a means of moving around within it.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material does not describe a formal metered taxi or ride-hailing network in Bloemfontein. Visitors should therefore not assume that app-based ride-hailing or metered taxis are readily available, and should plan around hiring a car or arranging transport in advance. If you are relying on a taxi, confirm availability with your accommodation before you arrive.
Walkability
Bloemfontein is a spread-out city, and the reference material does not present walking as a practical way to cover the city's attractions. Given that hiring a car is recommended as the best way to get around, visitors should expect to drive between sights rather than walk between them. Walking may be fine for short hops within a specific area, but it is not a realistic primary mode of transport for seeing the city.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Bloemfontein Airport (BFN) sits just outside the city. Flights to and from the airport are operated by Airlink, with services to Durban and Johannesburg.
The most straightforward way to get from the airport into the city is to collect a hire car on arrival — all four rental companies listed above have desks at the airport. If you would rather not drive, arrange a transfer or taxi in advance, since the source material does not describe a dedicated airport bus or rail link into the city.
Practical Summary
- Best option: hire a car, ideally collected at the airport.
- Arriving by rail: Shosholoza Meyl trains run three times a week from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth and East London, stopping at Bloemfontein's central station.
- Arriving by bus: Greyhound, Intercape Mainliner, Translux and SA Roadlink connect the city to major South African centres.
- Arriving by road: the N1, N6 and N8 meet in the city; the N1 north towards Gauteng is a toll road.
- Within the city: don't count on walking or on a local bus or metro network — plan to drive or arrange transport in advance.