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Getting between Johannesburg and Nelspruit

Getting around SA

Nelspruit is the jump off point for the Mpumulanga Province, which is the corner of South Africa that hosts the most iconic name in wildlife conservation…Kruger National Park. It is also home to a good number of other attractions, and straddles the northern Drakensberg escarpment and the expansive lowland which is the signature bushveld countryside of South Africa.

Flights

A new airport serving Nelspruit airport is currently under construction and will be unveiled in time for the Fifa World Cup soccer tournament in 2010. It is largely a domestic destination, and three of the nation’s carriers offer scheduled connections. These are:

  • South African Express
  • Interlink Airlines
  • Venture Air

    • Expect to pay in the region of US$120 for a one way economy fare

    Inter-city coaches

    Nelspruit is on the main N4 route between Johannesburg and Maputo in Mozambique and is therefore one of South Africa’s main trade and transit routes. All the main inter-city coach lines offer this route. These are:

  • TransLux
  • InterCape
  • Greyhound
  • City to City (no frills coach booked thru TransLux)
  • SA Roadlink (super luxury coaches)
  • Citiliner

    • The distance between Johannesburg and Nelspruit is 185 miles, or 298 kms. The journey takes between 4/5 hours. Expect to pay between US$20 and US$30 for a one way fare.

    Baz Bus

    Baz Buz offers a pretty direct route between Johannesburg and Nelspruit. The main reason for this is that this lies along the main tourist route to Kruger and Swaziland and is right on the main Baz Bus money route. The best way to get the most out of Baz Bus is their travel pass systems:

  • 7 Day pass US$165
  • 14 Day pass US$291
  • 21 Day pass US$392

    • Trains

    Trains services are available between Johannesburg and Komatipoort, which is the last stop between Mozambique. Services are also available to Hoedspruit which is a jump off point for access to kruger National Park.

    The main passenger service providers are Premier Class and Shosholoza Meyl. For up to date schedules and prices get in touch with these operators.

    >>Johannesburg’s station is in the Park City Transit Centre on Rissik Street, Braamfontein.

    Driving

    Nelspruit is a direct drive up the N4 from downtown Johannesburg. Get on the N1 for Pretoria and the N4 leads east off the Danie Joubert Freeway in Pretoria East.

    >>take note of the high crime status of this region and avoid stopping or being stopped by anyone that is not clearly a police detail