Johannesburg

Is Johannesburg safe?

For a visitor who stays in the northern suburbs and moves by car, usually yes. For someone who wanders the city centre on foot, often no. Johannesburg's murder rate is lower than Cape Town's, but its robbery problem is worse: in early 2026 its central police precincts had more armed robbery than almost anywhere in South Africa, and Gauteng, the province around it, recorded more than half of the country's carjackings.

We score Johannesburg 39, just below Cape Town. Its natural risks are low and its private hospitals are very good, but the crime that does reach visitors here (armed robbery on the street, at junctions and on the drive from the airport) is common and often involves a gun.

How violent is Johannesburg?

The South African Police Service does not publish a rate for the city, so the province is the closest official figure. Gauteng recorded 1,536 murders in October to December 2025 and 1,223 in January to March 2026, a fall of 15% on a year earlier. Its quarterly rates of 8.9 and 7.1 per 100,000 work out at roughly 32 a year, a little below the national rate on our South Africa page and several times the US rate.

The killings cluster in poorer, crowded precincts. In the latest quarter, Jeppe (east of the CBD), Alexandra (next to Sandton), Eldorado Park and JHB Central were all in the national top 30 for murder. Kidnapping is a growing problem: Gauteng recorded 55% of South Africa's kidnappings in early 2026, and Protea, Eldorado Park, Jeppe, Midrand and JHB Central were all in the national top ten. The US State Department warns that kidnappers target foreigners and force them to withdraw cash.

Robbery, carjacking and the airport

Robbery is the crime visitors meet. In January to March 2026, JHB Central had the second-highest count of armed robbery of any police station in the country, Jeppe was fourth and Hillbrow ninth. JHB Central and Hillbrow were also fifth and sixth for common robbery, mostly phones, bags and jewellery taken on the street.

Gauteng had 2,062 carjackings in that quarter, 57% of the national total. Alexandra topped the national list, and Bramley, beside the M1 near Sandton, was in the top ten. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary's advice for drivers:

• Criminals have followed people from OR Tambo to their homes and hotels and robbed them, often at gunpoint. Use main roads and keep valuables in your carry-on bag.
• Keep windows up and doors locked, nothing on the seats, and leave space to pull out when you stop at a light.
• Criminals may use blue lights on plain cars to pose as police. If in doubt, drive slowly to a police station or busy petrol station.
• If you are held up, hand everything over. Resisting can turn violent.

Getting around and nights out

The Gautrain links OR Tambo, Sandton, Rosebank and Pretoria and is the safest public transport in the city. Avoid minibus taxis and Metrorail, which the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says carry a greater risk of theft and violence. At night, use Uber or Bolt for every trip, even a few blocks, and wait indoors until the car arrives.

Evenings work best in guarded or busy places: Melrose Arch, Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square, Rosebank's Keyes Avenue and 4th Avenue in Parkhurst. Braamfontein and Maboneng have good weekend markets and restaurants by day but empty quickly after dark.

South Africa's roads are among the deadliest of any middle-income country, about 22 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019 according to the WHO. Traffic lights often stop working during power cuts, which turns big junctions into four-way stops, and minibus taxis cut across lanes without warning.

Health, water and weather

Air quality is a real weakness. IQAir reported that Johannesburg's PM2.5PM2.5Tiny airborne particles 2.5 micrometres across or smaller. They reach deep into the lungs and are the air pollutant most linked to early death.More in the glossary rose in 2024 and is several times the WHO guideline, worst in the dry winter months when coal and wood are burned for heat. At about 1,750 m, some visitors feel the altitude for a day or two. Private hospitals in Sandton, Rosebank and Milpark are of a high standard; bring insurance, because public emergency care is stretched.

The city's water system is failing in places. Daily Maverick counted at least 22 major outages in the first weeks of 2026, some lasting more than two weeks. Big hotels have backup tanks, but small guesthouses may not, so ask before you book. Natural hazards are modest: summer brings afternoon thunderstorms with lightning and hail, and flash floods along rivers such as the Jukskei.

Where to stay

Sandton, Rosebank, Melrose, Illovo and Parkhurst are the usual bases, with hotels that have guarded parking and restaurants within a short ride. Visit Soweto, Constitution Hill and the inner city with a guide or a reputable tour.

How we scored it

Violent crime (25), night safety (28) and theft (30) are Johannesburg's weakest factors, each among the lowest we give. Natural hazards (75) and health and environment (60) are its strongest.