Should you hop in your car, catch the Gautrain, or grab an Uber? The answer depends on your route — and your wallet.

Is the Gautrain Really Cheaper Than Driving? Here’s What the Numbers Say

The launch of the Gautrain really put South Africa on the map — all thanks to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. With the world watching, the country needed a reliable, fast, and modern way to get people around, especially between Joburg, Pretoria, and OR Tambo Airport. That’s where the Gautrain came in, and it was a game-changer.

Before the World Cup, getting around Gauteng meant sitting in traffic for ages or relying on minibus taxis if you didn’t have a car. But after the Gautrain rolled out, it gave commuters a whole new way to travel — one that was quick, clean, and actually on time. It’s taken a lot of pressure off the roads, especially during peak hours, and made it way easier for people to get to work or the airport without stressing about parking or traffic jams.

Over the years, it’s become a go-to option for many Gauteng residents who want to skip the gridlock. Whether you’re commuting from Centurion to Sandton or flying out of OR Tambo, the Gautrain has made daily travel smoother and a lot more predictable. It’s not just for tourists anymore — it’s part of everyday life for thousands of locals.

However, MotorHappy looked at the numbers behind these transport options, and the results might surprise you. In many cases, taking the Gautrain could actually be cheaper than driving one of South Africa’s most affordable cars — and significantly cheaper than relying on an Uber.

The car vs. Gautrain showdown: Which one wins?

In early March 2025, the MyBroadband team compared the cost of using the Gautrain for a daily work commute to the cost of owning and driving a Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL Manual, priced at around R178,900.
They looked at four common routes that many Gautengers travel each day:

• Sandton Station to Centurion Station
• Rosebank Station to Midrand Station
• Kempton Park (OR Tambo) Station to Hatfield Station
• Kempton Park (OR Tambo) Station to Sandton Station

Gautrain prices were based on peak-hour fares, assuming people are travelling during the busiest part of the day and commuting 22 workdays a month.

Monthly cost of taking the Gautrain

Here’s what a full month of return trips on the Gautrain would cost you:

• Sandton – Centurion: R3,344
• Rosebank – Midrand: R2,420
• Kempton Park – Hatfield: R10,912
• Kempton Park – Sandton: R9,636

That last route is pricier because it includes the airport line, which has premium rates.

Monthly cost of driving the Suzuki S-Presso

The MyBroadband published the following cost estimates:

• Car finance over 60 months at 13% interest, no deposit (R4,167/month)
• Insurance, fuel, and maintenance based on Tracker’s cost per kilometre of R4.84/km
• Estimated monthly driving costs for the same routes:
• Sandton – Centurion: R11,663
• Rosebank – Midrand: R8,980
• Kempton Park – Hatfield: R15,305
• Kempton Park – Sandton: R9,214

So, in three out of four routes, using the Gautrain is clearly more cost-effective than driving — especially if you’re commuting alone.

What about an Uber taxi?

To complete the picture, we also looked at a journey from Hatfield (Pretoria) to Rosebank via the three main transport options — car, Uber, and Gautrain.

In this case, the Gautrain was faster and cheaper than Uber by a long shot. But when you add the bus fare and consider the need to get to and from the station, it becomes slightly more expensive than driving — though still worth it if you don’t want the hassle of traffic or parking.

It’s not just about money — time plays a big role, too.

Gautrain is fast, but you need to time your trip around its schedule and add time for buses or walking to your final stop.
Private cars offer door-to-door convenience and may still be quicker overall — unless you’re stuck in heavy traffic.
Uber is convenient, but they cost a lot more, especially over long distances.
And don’t forget: parking in busy city centres can be expensive and hard to find — something the Gautrain helps you avoid altogether.

Final verdict: Which is best?

• Commuting solo on popular routes: Gautrain is often the cheaper choice.
• Carpooling: That can make driving worthwhile — especially on longer, premium-fare Gautrain routes.
• Need flexibility: Your own car still offers the most freedom.
• Avoiding hassle: Gautrain saves you from traffic and parking stress.
• Uber: Convenient, but not budget-friendly for daily commutes.

In the end, it comes down to what matters most to you: cost, time, or convenience. But now you’ve got the full picture to help you make the smartest move for your commute.
With that in mind, and if you’re still driving your own car, you might want to know some basic car maintenance tips, especially if you’re a professional who is always on the run and needs to keep things as efficient as possible.