Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Johannesburg, with the City Sightseeing Red Bus Hop-on-Hop-off Tours. From the city’s illustrious history of gold mining to its vibrant urban landscape, Johannesburg beckons with a tapestry of culture, heritage, and adventure. The journey takes you through Johannesburg’s past and present, where every street corner reveals a story, and adventure awaits at every turn. Here’s what you need to know.
How do the City Sightseeing Red Bus tours work?
The tours operate on a Hop-on-Hop-off basis, which means you can climb off the bus at any of the stops along the route and then get back on to a later bus when you are ready – so this is tailor made sightseeing which is safe, reliable, affordable, convenient, informative, educational and fun.
You can also choose to stay on the bus for the full circular route – meaning that in just a few hours you can experience the best that Joburg has to offer – accompanied by the on-board commentary which explains the story behind the sites and is available in 10 different languages – including a fun kid’s channel.
City Sightseeing’s winter family specials
City Sightseeing Johannesburg is making family days out in Jozi super affordable with two amazing specials for South African citizens, valid only until 23 September 2026.
Kids’ special
Let the kids explore Joburg like tourists in their own city for a huge discount!
They’ll get to ride the famous red open-top, hop-on hop-off bus for the full route, getting epic views of the skyline, historic neighbourhoods and top attractions along the way.
With fun on-board audio commentary, kids learn about Jozi’s history, culture and landmarks as they go, offering the perfect mix of fun and education for a school holiday outing or weekend adventure.
Cost: Only R65 per child, book online. Kids u/4 enter free
When: Offer valid until 23 September 2026
A family of four get to ride the red bus at a discount
Make it a full family experience with the R780 family ticket for two adults and two children (aged 4 to 17).
Enjoy a full day of unlimited hop-on hop-off travel and create your own Jozi itinerary without worrying about individual fares.
You can stop at some of the city’s must-see spots (route dependent), such as Constitution Hill, Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City and the Johannesburg Zoo, to name a few.
Cost: R780 per family of four, book online. Kids u/4 enter free
When: Offer valid until 23 September 2026
Discover Johannesburg’s iconic landmarks
The journey commences with an exploration of Johannesburg’s most iconic landmarks, offering insights into the city’s storied past and dynamic present. Marvel at the striking architecture of the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Newtown, a bustling district pulsating with creativity and urban energy. Visit major attractions including an immersive experience at the renowned Gold Reef City Theme Park, where the allure of mining and gold pouring awaits.
City sightseeing bus + Soweto tour
Soweto is also offered with an extension with a red bus tour and unique Soweto Combo. Following the main tour stops, the Soweto tour departs from Gold Reef City every hour and lasts two hours. No visit to the city of Johannesburg is complete without a trip into its largest and most vibrant township, Soweto.
The live guided Soweto tour connects at the Gold Reef City Stop. Here, travellers hear about two of the 20th century’s most famous liberation heroes in the city where they started their legal and political careers, following in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and his Passive Resistance (Satyagraha) Movement, and Nelson Mandela with his Defiance Campaign.
Cost: Soweto combo is R735 per adult; R415 per kid; R1775 per family. Book online
Where: Tour starts at City Sightseeing Tour office at The Zone shopping center, Oxford Road, Rosebank (in the pedestrian mall, near KFC and next to Hamley’s Toys)
City Sightseeing Red Bus tour highlights
Stops on this tour include Rosebank from which the bus departs, a visit to Melrose Arch, Mandela Foundation, and Monroe Drive (viewpoint).
Then, the tour dives into South African history with stops at significant landmarks including Constitution Hill, the mining district, and the Apartheid Museum. This is followed by stops at some entertainment hotspots in the city, such as Gold Reef City, Newtown, and The Playground. Passengers will also get to see the Johannesburg Zoo, the Holocaust & Genocide Museum and the Military Museum.
City sightseeing bus tour + Johannesburg Zoo stop
Use the Hop On Hop Off bus as your transport to visit Johannesburg Zoo as well as discover Johannesburg’s tourist attractions and its most picturesque spots on route, getting off at the Johannesburg Zoo stop for an amazing experience with all the animals. After the zoo experience, you’ll hop back on the bus where the tour will continue.
It is highly recommended that guests make use of the first two departures from Rosebank at 9am and 9.40am to be able to spend more time at the zoo.
Cost: R375 per adult; R265 per child. Book online
Where: Tour starts at City Sightseeing Tour office at The Zone shopping center, Oxford Road, Rosebank (in the pedestrian mall, near KFC and next to Hamley’s Toys)
Need to know before you go
Each person buys one ticket and chooses at which of the stops they’d like to hop on or off for the period that the ticket is valid. With a tour office at stop 1 at The Mall at Rosebank and Gold Reef City Casino Hotel – you can be assured of safe and secure departure points.
Although your City Sightseeing ticket gets you a discount at several of the stops, entrance and tour fees at the individual stops are not included. However, you can purchase attractions tickets for Johannesburg Zoo and Gold Reef City prior online or at the kiosks.
How to book
Cost: Online Hop-on-Hop-off 1-day tour — R315pp for adults; R195 per child aged 4 to 17 years; R845 per family. Book online
When: Daily, with first departures at 9am and final departures at 3pm
Where: Rosebank, Outside Holiday Inn Hotel – Oxford Rd | There are also hotel shuttles that do pickups at Southern Sun Sandton, The Maslow, NH Johannesburg Sandton, Radisson Blu Gautrain, and DaVinci Hotel.
Website: citysightseeing.co.za
Tel: 021 511 6000
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @citysightseeingsa
Facebook: @CitySightseeingSouthAfrica
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