Getting Around Krugersdorp
Krugersdorp is a mining city in the West Rand of Gauteng and the seat of government for Mogale City Local Municipality. It sits within easy reach of Johannesburg, Pretoria and a number of major attractions, including the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, the Cradle of Humankind, the Sterkfontein Caves and the Wonder Cave. Getting around is easiest if you plan your trip around the region's road network, with rail and taxi options filling in the gaps.
Orientation and the Road Network
The city's main arteries are Paardekraal Drive (the R28) and Voortrekker Road, which continues from Ontdekkers Road coming out of the Johannesburg direction. If you are arriving by car, these are the routes you will most likely use to reach the town centre and the surrounding suburbs.
- From Pretoria: follow the N14 west until it joins the R28 (Paardekraal Drive), then follow Paardekraal into Krugersdorp.
- From Johannesburg: take the M47/Gordon Road turnoff (exit 78/Roodepoort) from the N1, follow Gordon Road until it crosses Ontdekkers Road, turn right into Ontdekkers and follow it until it becomes Voortrekker Road, which leads into Krugersdorp.
Having a car gives you the most flexibility, particularly for reaching the game reserve, the heritage sites and the airport. The city has a modern business centre and shopping malls alongside many smaller shops and amenities, so most day-to-day needs are within reach by road.
Rail
Krugersdorp has a railway station and is connected to central Johannesburg by commuter trains operated by Metrorail. Services from central Johannesburg generally depart roughly every one to two hours, and the journey takes just under an hour. Be aware that these trains have a reputation for being somewhat grubby and often overcrowded, so plan accordingly and keep an eye on your belongings.
- Operator: Metrorail
- Frequency: roughly every one to two hours from central Johannesburg
- Journey time: just under an hour
- Station: Krugersdorp railway station
There is no tram or metro-style network in Krugersdorp itself; the rail option here is the commuter service linking the town with Johannesburg.
Buses and Other Public Transport
In practice, minibus taxis and other informal transport are the mainstay of local public transport across Gauteng, and they are the usual way residents move between Krugersdorp, its surrounding townships and nearby centres. If you intend to rely on public transport, it is worth asking locally about current routes and ranks, as these change over time.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Minibus taxis are the most widespread form of shared transport in the area and connect Krugersdorp with Johannesburg, Pretoria and neighbouring towns. They are inexpensive and frequent but can be confusing for first-time visitors, so it helps to know your destination and ask which rank or route to use. Ride-hailing apps are a convenient alternative for shorter trips around town and to the malls and business centre, and they avoid the need to navigate taxi ranks. For airport transfers and day trips to the game reserve or heritage sites, arranging a private transfer or hiring a car is generally the most straightforward option.
Walkability
Krugersdorp is a sprawling mining city rather than a compact, walkable tourist centre. The town centre, business district and shopping malls can be explored on foot once you are there, but the distances between the city and its main attractions — the game reserve, the Cradle of Humankind, the Sterkfontein Caves and the Wonder Cave — make walking impractical for most visits. Plan on using a car, taxi or ride-hailing service to get between areas, and treat walking as a way to cover individual districts rather than the whole city.
Getting from the Airport
Krugersdorp is served by three airports, each suited to different kinds of trips:
- Jack Taylor Airfield: located north-west of the town centre, adjacent to the game reserve. It is easily accessible from Pretoria via the R28/N14 highway and more commonly via the N1 highway.
- Lanseria International Airport: situated to the north-east on the R511, and commonly used for travel to Pretoria.
- O. R. Tambo International Airport: South Africa's main international airport, located in Johannesburg to the east. This is the usual arrival point for international visitors.
From O. R. Tambo, the most practical options are a hire car, a private transfer or a ride-hailing service, all of which will take you directly to Krugersdorp via the regional road network. If you prefer public transport, you can connect into Johannesburg and pick up the Metrorail commuter service to Krugersdorp railway station, though this involves a change and the trains can be crowded. Lanseria is the more convenient choice if your travels are focused on Pretoria and the north, while Jack Taylor Airfield serves the town and the adjacent game reserve directly.
Practical Tips
- Allow extra time for journeys: the city is spread out and attractions such as the Cradle of Humankind and Sterkfontein Caves lie some distance from the centre.
- If you are using Metrorail, check departure times in advance, as services run roughly every one to two hours.
- For airport arrivals, pre-book a transfer or hire car rather than relying on finding transport on the spot.
- Keep local taxi and ride-hailing contact details handy for evenings and for trips to outlying attractions.