Compare cheap 7 seater car hire at Johannesburg OR Tambo. Airport safety advice, no more e-tolls, Kruger speed limits and rules, and UK licence validity.
Collecting the car after a night flight? GOV.UK warns that criminals have followed visitors from OR Tambo. Read the safety section below before you drive off.
The UK became South Africa’s biggest overseas source of visitors in 2025, overtaking the US, as the country welcomed a record 10.498 million tourist arrivals (Tourism Update).
Many UK families flying into Johannesburg are heading for Kruger or the game reserves to the north and east. A 7 seater suits a safari trip well, with room for the whole group and a clear view from every row. Johannesburg itself needs a different kind of care.
Leaving OR Tambo safely
GOV.UK warns that criminals have followed people from OR Tambo International Airport to their destinations and robbed them, often at gunpoint (GOV.UK).
Its advice is to use main roads to and from airports, and to avoid returning hire cars at night. It also says to lock the car and physically check the doors, with valuables kept in the boot. Stay alert at traffic lights and junctions, where carjackings often happen.
In a 7 seater full of luggage, that means loading the boot at the airport, not on the roadside, and keeping phones and bags out of sight. If you land late, consider staying near the airport and setting off in daylight.
No more e-tolls around Johannesburg
The Gauteng e-toll network around Johannesburg and Pretoria stopped charging on 12 April 2024 (SANRAL).
Older guides and some hire firms’ terms may still mention e-toll fees. There is nothing to pay on those freeways now, so query any e-toll charge on your bill.
Kruger bound? Compare Johannesburg 7 Seaters
One search shows the 7 seaters at OR Tambo with the total price in GBP for each.
Kruger in a 7 seater
Kruger National Park’s rules are strict. The speed limit is 50 km/h on tar roads and 40 km/h on gravel, and you must stay in the car except in designated areas, with no part of your body out of a window or sunroof (SANParks).
Gate opening and closing times are fixed, and arriving late can mean a fine. Vehicles over 4,000 kg are restricted to tar roads, but a normal 7 seater can use the gravel roads too.
A 7 seater’s high seats are a real advantage here. Children in the third row can see over the vegetation far better than in a low saloon.
South African rules
South Africa drives on the left, like the UK. GOV.UK says a UK photocard licence is valid for up to 12 months.
Children under three must use a child restraint, and older children must use one where available or wear a seatbelt (Arrive Alive). UK rules are stricter, and the safety reasons are the same, so keep using boosters for younger children.
Power cuts can knock out traffic lights. GOV.UK flags this as a hazard, so treat a dead junction with care and expect other drivers to do the same.
Seven people, seven cases
A large suitcase holds 80 to 110 litres. With all seven seats in use, the roomiest common 7 seaters manage about 340 to 350 litres of boot.
For a full family with a big case each, look for the ACRISS FV class, meaning seven or more seats plus more space, or book an 8 or 9 seater. Soft bags fit far better, and keep everything in the boot, out of sight.
Getting a better 7 Seater deal in Johannesburg
- Compare the total, not the daily rate. Insurance excess, deposit, one-way fees and extra driver charges all sit outside the headline price.
- Check for old e-toll charges. The Gauteng e-tolls ended in April 2024, so there should be none.
- Pick cover for gravel roads. Kruger’s gravel roads are part of the trip, so check your excess cover includes them.
- Book early with free cancellation. The South African summer and UK school holidays bring the highest demand. Lock in a cancellable rate, then search again nearer the date and rebook if prices fall.
Check OR Tambo 7 Seater prices for your dates
Put in your flight times to compare cheap rates before the safari season peaks.
Questions people ask
Is it safe to drive from OR Tambo airport?
Take care. GOV.UK warns that criminals have followed visitors from the airport. Use main roads and avoid returning the car at night.
Are there still e-tolls in Johannesburg?
No. The Gauteng e-toll network stopped charging on 12 April 2024.
Can I drive a 7 seater on Kruger’s gravel roads?
Yes. Only vehicles over 4,000 kg are restricted to tar roads. The speed limit on gravel is 40 km/h.
Can I drive in South Africa on a UK licence?
Yes. GOV.UK says a UK photocard licence is valid for up to 12 months.
Where can I compare cheap 7 Seater deals at Johannesburg Airport?
Compare several hire firms at once. Our search shows 7 seaters from the firms at OR Tambo in one list, with the total price for each. Prices move with demand, so the earlier you search, the more choice you get.
