Major city · South Africa
Centurion
Spend a half‑day visiting the Art Gallery and SuperSport Park, stay one night if you need easy access to OR Tambo Airport.
Centurion is a suburban city between Pretoria and Johannesburg with a Gautrain stop, a mall, an art gallery and two air‑force bases. One day covers the main sights; add a night for airport transfers or a relaxed pace.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (warm, low rain)
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold, occasional frost)
- Airport
- JNB
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Centurion112 ▾
- Mobile emergency112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Centurion, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyCenturion is generally safe; stay alert during late‑night walks and avoid isolated riverbanks after heavy rain.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 Mobile emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJNB OR Tambo International (R21 motorway, ~30 min by car from Centurion).
- Getting aroundUse Gautrain (Johannesburg–Pretoria line) for fast north‑south trips; R21 and R101 roads connect to the airports; taxis and rideshares are common.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)R15–R30
- BeerBeer (pub)R25–R45
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))R120–R180
- Metro or bus rideGautrain rideR150–R200
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personR 250
- Mid-range bedStandard hotel double, a night, per roomR 1,500
- High-end bedStandard hotel double, a night, per roomR 2,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 350 · Mid R 800 · High R 1,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JNB OR Tambo International (R21 motorway, ~30 min by car from Centurion)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Centurion: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Use Gautrain (Johannesburg–Pretoria line) for fast north‑south trips; R21 and R101 roads connect to the airports; taxis and rideshares are common.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Irene
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round‑trip
Drive 10 km (6.2 mi) north via M10, about 15 minDrive 6.2 mi (10 km) north via M10, about 15 min
Visit Smuts House Museum and the dairy farm.
Pretoria
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Gautrain northbound, 20 min
Capital sights like Union Buildings are a short ride away.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Protea Hotel Waterfront
Centurion Lake, good for one night; close to mall and Gautrain
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R350–R600 excl. bed
- Mid
- R600–R1200 excl. bed
- High
- R1200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Standard hotel double1 × 1 night × R 1,500 | R 1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 800 | R 1,600 |
| Gautrain one‑way ticket2 × R 150 · check | R 300 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × R 300 · check | R 600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 400 |
| Trip total≈ R 2,200 per person per day, bed included | R 4,400≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in rand; flights and long‑distance rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | R15–R30 |
| Beer (pub) | R25–R45 |
| Taxi (5 km) | R120–R180 |
| Gautrain ride | R150–R200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer thunderstorms can cause sudden hail; carry a light raincoat.
- Heavy rain may flood the Hennops River; check local alerts during summer storms.
Emergency numbers
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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CenturionCenturion
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please
Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
US Consulate in Johannesburg; other embassies in Pretoria or Cape Town.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gautrain Centurion ↔ Pretoria: ≈R150, 20 min (check)
- Gautrain Centurion ↔ Johannesburg: ≈R180, 25 min (check)
Say or show
- Verskoon my — Excuse me / Sorry (verskoon my)
- Dankie — Thank you (dankie)
- Hoeveel kos dit? — How much is it? (hoeveel kos dit?)
- Waar is die toilet? — Where is the toilet? (waar is die toilet?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Centurion. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (warm, low rain) · avoid Jun–Aug (cold, occasional frost) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a taxi‑to‑airport guide for JNB (R200–R250).
- Link to Gautrain schedule page for real‑time planning.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Centurion
- officialGautrain official site
- secondaryWikivoyage: Centurion, revision 4746987 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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