Why Johannesburg?
When deciding where to base ourselves during the FIFA World Cup™, we debated between South Africa's two major cities, Johannesburg and Cape Town. In the end, we chose the lively, cosmopolitan city of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, located in the province of Gauteng.
There are many reasons why we feel Johannesburg is the best place for you to base yourselves during the FIFA World Cup™. Here are just a few:
- Convenient Location - 65% of matches are in the Gauteng area and only 1 stadium is within the Western Cape
- Climate – Johannesburg and Cape Town enjoy similar temperatures throughout winter, however, monthly rainfall statistics are significantly lower in Johannesburg (just 4mm as opposed to 88mm in Cape Town!!). As a result of the rain and high coastal winds, many tourist attractions in Cape Town close in Winter.
- Well connected – Johannesburg has the most international flights. A lot of International flights need connecting flights to Cape Town
The tables below show the distance (in km) from Johannesburg and Cape Town to the football stadia and the means of travelling to these stadia for the matches.
|
|
Bloemfontein |
Cape Town |
Durban |
Joburg |
Nelspruit |
Polokwane |
Port Elizabeth |
Pretoria |
Rustenburg |
|
Cape Town |
1000 km |
|
1660 km |
1405 km |
1780 km |
1735 km |
755 km |
1465 km |
1385 km |
|
9h10 |
|
15h05 |
12h45 |
16h10 |
15h45 |
6h50 |
13h20 |
12h35 |
|
Joburg |
420 km |
1405 km |
600 km |
|
360 km |
330 km |
1060 km |
60 km |
120 km |
|
3h50 |
12h45 |
5h30 |
|
3h15 |
3h00 |
6h40 |
35min |
1h05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bloemfontein |
Cape Town |
Durban |
Joburg |
Nelspruit |
Polokwane |
Port Elizabeth |
Pretoria |
Rustenburg |
|
Cape Town |
FLY |
DRIVE |
FLY |
FLY |
FLY |
FLY |
FLY |
FLY |
FLY |
|
Joburg |
DRIVE |
FLY |
FLY |
DRIVE |
DRIVE |
DRIVE |
FLY |
DRIVE |
DRIVE |
Below is an article written by Jeremy Clarkson which sums up what a wonderful place Johannesburg really is!
I dare you to visit Johannesburg, the city
for softies
It’s the least frightening place on earth, yet everyone speaks of how many times they’ve been killed that day
The Sunday Times, 1 March 2009, Jeremy Clarkson