Is Uber Safe in Johannesburg 2024?: What You Should Know

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Is Uber Safe in Johannesburg?/Is It Safe to Use Uber in Johannesburg?/Are Ubers Safe in Johannesburg?/Uber in Johannesburg Safe?/Is It Safe to Uber in Johannesburg?

Although there have been some safety incidences with Uber rides in Johannesburg in the past, Uber in Johannesburg today is generally safe.

Some precautions you can take to ensure your safety while using Uber Johannesburg are:

share your trip details with trusted contacts so they can track your ride at all times.
use the in-app emergency button in case of trouble, which will immediately alert up to two private security companies.
Use the 24/7 Uber customer support to report any potential problems or concerns you might have about your Uber driver.
Check driver info before getting into your Uber and ascertain that the info matches the car that comes to pick you up.
Use the safety centre to keep abreast of all the safety best-practices when using Uber Johannesburg.

Is There Uber in Johannesburg?

Yes, there is Uber in Johannesburg, which serves both Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Uber in Johannesburg – Prices & What Is Uber Direct Moto?

As I mentioned in this post, Johannesburg and Pretoria are served by several types of Uber services. See a full list of those below.

Here’s a short description of how these services are different and how many passengers the cars for each service can carry:

Comfort – newer cars with extra legroom (max: 3 people)
Uber Go – affordable, compact rides for (max: 2 people)
UberX – affordable everyday rides (max: 3 people)
Uber Direct Moto: affordable delivery every day
Uber Direct Car: affordable car deliveries
Uber Black – premium rides in luxury cars (max: 3 people)
Van – rides for groups of up to 6 people
Connect Car: send and receive large packages
Assist – special assistance from certified drivers (max: 3 people)
Connect Moto: send and receive small packages

Johannesburg Uber Prices: How Uber Charges

Uber generally has several components to its pricing: a base fare applicable for all rides, a price component based on the distance traveled during the ride, and a component based on how long the ride takes to account for things such as traffic or a passenger making a driver wait at a stop during a ride.

On the rare occasions where there are more riders requesting Ubers than there are drivers, Uber increases its fares to encourage drivers to get onto the platform.

This is called dynamic pricing, and you can read all about it here.

African female hands holding a phone with the Uber app

Dynamic pricing is not predictable, so I will not deal with those prices here.

Instead, below, I share what the regular Uber Johannesburg prices are.

If dynamic pricing is applicable, your Uber app will notify you of this before you place your Uber request.

Is Uber safe in Johannesburg? - an Uber taxi

Uber Prices Johannesburg

	UberX	Assist	UberBlack	Van
Base fare	R 5	R 5	R 15	R 22
Cost per min	R .80	R .80	R 1.30	R 1.60
Cost per km	R 8	R 8	R 13	R 16
Minimum charge	R 25	R 25	R 50	R 75
Cancellation Fee	R 25	R 25	R 70	R 100

Whatever the case, Uber Johannesburg prices are much better than regular taxi prices.

You can schedule an Uber ride in Johannesburg and/or Pretoria up to 30 days before the ride occurs. To do so, go to the Uber Johannesburg website.

Is Uber Safe in South Africa?

Using Uber in South Africa is generally considered safe, but there are a few important considerations to keep in mind:

Reputation and Reviews: Uber has a significant presence in South Africa, particularly in major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Many users report positive experiences, with drivers often being professional and vehicles well-maintained.
Safety Features: Uber’s safety features, such as real-time GPS tracking, sharing trip details with friends or family, and in-app emergency assistance, are crucial in ensuring a safer ride.
Incidents and Precautions: There have been some reported incidents of crime involving Uber drivers or passengers. To minimize risks, it’s recommended to:

Verify the driver’s identity and vehicle details before getting in.
Avoid hailing Ubers in isolated or poorly lit areas.
Share your trip details with someone you trust.

Surge Pricing and Payment: Be aware of surge pricing during peak times, which can make rides more expensive. Also, using cash can sometimes present safety risks, so opting for in-app payment methods is advisable.
Local Tips: In some areas, it’s better to wait inside a secure location until your Uber arrives, rather than standing outside. Additionally, some South African cities experience higher crime rates, so remaining vigilant and cautious is always recommended.

Overall, Uber can be a safe and convenient option in South Africa if you take standard precautions.

Uber Johannesburg Airport

Uber service is available to and from both OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria International Aiport.

Both airports offer free Wi-Fi (for up to 4 hours or to a cap of 1 GB), so if you’ve got a smartphone, you can use the same Uber app you use in your city to request a ride with Uber JHB. If you don’t already have the Uber app, you can download it from your regular app store for your phone.

OR Tambo International Airport is located at 1 Jones Road, Kempton Park in Johannesburg, and the airport’s telephone number is +27-11-921-6262.

Because you can schedule your Uber ride up to 30 days in advance on Uber’s website, you can schedule your ride from or to OR Tambo International Airport even before you arrive in Johannesburg or South Africa through the global Uber website.

Have you already processed your visa for South Africa? If not, click here to check out Visa requirements for your nationality and process your visa online if you need it.

Is It Safe in Johannesburg? Is Johannesburg Safe?

Johannesburg, like any major city, has both safe and unsafe areas. While certain neighborhoods and tourist destinations in Johannesburg can be relatively safe for visitors, others may have higher crime rates.

It is important to exercise caution and take appropriate safety measures when visiting or living in Johannesburg.

Here are some general safety tips:

Be aware of your surroundings: Stay vigilant and observant of the people and environment around you, especially in unfamiliar areas.
Avoid displaying wealth: Keep valuable items such as jewelry, expensive cameras, and large amounts of cash out of sight to minimize the risk of theft or attracting unwanted attention.
Use reliable transportation: Utilize reputable taxi services or ride-hailing apps rather than hailing taxis on the street, particularly at night.
Stay in well-populated areas: Stick to busy and well-lit streets, especially during the evening. Avoid walking alone at night, if possible.

Photo Credits: MyBroadband

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