City in Gauteng, South Africa
Johannesburg for solo travelers
Is Johannesburg good for solo travel?
Africa's business hub and main air gateway: great restaurants, art and nightlife, fast trains between Sandton and the airport. Crime, spread-out geography and the need for a car or Uber limit solo exploring.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 2/5 · High risk |
| Solo women | Sexual violence is high nationally. Solo women travel here, but use Uber at night, avoid walking alone, meet dates in public and watch drinks. |
How to meet people in Johannesburg
Hostels in Rosebank and Melville, Saturday markets at Rosebank and Bryanston, run clubs, parkrun, guided Soweto and Maboneng tours, and coworking events in Sandton.
Good things to do alone
- Take a guided Soweto bike or walking tour
- Browse the Neighbourgoods Market on Saturday
- Visit the Apartheid Museum
- See street art on a Maboneng tour
- Wander Constitution Hill and the Old Fort
Where to stay in Johannesburg
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sandton | Business travelers and first stays: malls, Gautrain, hotels, security |
| Rosebank | Gautrain, markets, galleries, cafés, easy Ubers |
| Melville | Student bars and cafés; arrive and leave by Uber |
| Maboneng and Braamfontein | Art, street food and murals; go on guided or daytime visits |
| Parkhurst–Greenside | Restaurants and leafy streets, calmer than the core |
Solo travel across South Africa
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kruger National Park | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Stellenbosch | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Hermanus | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Knysna | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Plettenberg Bay | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Jeffreys Bay | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Johannesburg | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Durban | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Pretoria | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Port Elizabeth | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Franschhoek | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Umhlanga | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Johannesburg good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Africa's business hub and main air gateway: great restaurants, art and nightlife, fast trains between Sandton and the airport.
How do you meet people in Johannesburg?
Hostels in Rosebank and Melville, Saturday markets at Rosebank and Bryanston, run clubs, parkrun, guided Soweto and Maboneng tours, and coworking events in Sandton. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Johannesburg?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Johannesburg safe for solo female travelers?
Sexual violence is high nationally. Solo women travel here, but use Uber at night, avoid walking alone, meet dates in public and watch drinks.
More about Johannesburg
Going to Johannesburg solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Johannesburg meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.