We are excited to be holding the 2023 International Meeting in the city of Pretoria!
Arriving in Pretoria
When you arrive in Johannesburg at the OR Tambo airport, be sure to have your flight ticket stubs handy for inspection by officials almost immediately after leaving the airplane. OR Tambo is one of the very few airports where this is sometimes checked, and without the ticket stubs quite a bit of time will have to be spent on some additional administrative procedures.
It can at times (not always) take an hour or longer before one enters the country, because of delays at the passport/visa controls and at the luggage carousel.
Note: if travelling with children under 19 years of age, very strict conditions apply. These all have to be pre-arranged, very thoroughly; the officials have no qualms to refuse entry into South Africa and to send travelers immediately back to their home country if every aspect of the required arrangements for travelers 18 years and under have not been met. Please refer to the following information from the Department of Home Affairs.
Transportation
EZ Shuttle (www.ezshuttle.co.za) provides a reliable shuttle service between the airport and Pretoria (it also operates in Johannesburg and in Cape Town).
Note, however: this must be booked a few days beforehand. (You will be asked on their website to provide your flight details when making the online booking, and a driver will meet you at the arrivals section of the airport, holding a sign with your name on it.) This service comes highly recommended.
Gautrain full details, fares, and schedules click here.
1. Exit the public arrivals hall at the opposite end from where you entered it, somewhat to the right, and follow the Gautrain signs — up two sets of escalators, towards the Gautrain airport station.
3. The Gautrain is an excellent service, and very safe. Security officials are available at all points, and are well informed to give directions.
4. Note: strictly, no food or drink of any kind may be consumed on this train.
5. From OR Tambo airport (= Johannesburg airport) to Hatfield Station (University of Pretoria) by Gautrain, one transfer between trains is required, namely at Marlboro station. This is announced very clearly in the train. At Marlboro station too the security staff are most helpful, also for indicating directions: moving from the one train, up the one escalator and down the other, is always flawless.
6. For the University of Pretoria or accommodation in Hatfield or Brooklyn, exit the train at its final stop, the Hatfield station.
7. It is possible to walk from the station to at least three of the conference hotels, if you have no mobility impediments and do not have much luggage.
8. If someone is not meeting you at the Gautrain station, Bolt and Uber are popular car apps in South Africa: they are much cheaper than the usual taxis, and you can use the usual Bolt and Uber apps on your cell phone for this service.
9. NB: Be vigilant when boarding and exiting cars of these services, though: the normal taxi services do not take kindly to these relative newcomers, and acts of aggression happen now and then against Bolt and Uber cars. These dangers are particularly pronounced at the Pretoria Gautrain station; much less so at the Hatfield Gautrain station.
10. Note that if you arrive at OR Tambo airport late at night or very early in the morning, the Gautrain may not be running; during peak hour times, the Gautrain may be full, offering standing room only. Gautrain running hours: 5:00 until 20:30.
Also, beware the porters and taxi marketers at the airport, who will accost you with an intrusively-friendly “How are you?” greeting. Their services are best avoided, in a firm but friendly manner.
Meeting Location and Campus Entrances
University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus, Graduate Centre
Please use the following entrances to campus and remember to bring your name badge to show the security at these entrances.
- Main Entrance – Lynnwood Road (south of the campus)
- Lunnon Road (east of campus)
- Prospect Street (north on the map – if you come from the Hatfield hotels)
- University Road (west of the camp)
Getting Around Pretoria
Once in Pretoria it’s a good idea to travel in groups, especially after dark. Uber is a convenient and safe mode of transportation also.
We will offer a shuttle service from the following hotels and guest houses.
- Courtyard Hotel Arcadia
- Protea by Marriott Loftus Park
- 37 on Anderson
- Osborne House
- Brooklyn Place
- 137 Murray Street
Shuttle Schedule
Monday: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday – Thursday: 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Shuttles will make the loop every 20 - 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Additionally, for properties closer to campus or for those wishing to walk we suggest meeting in the lobby and at the Graduate Centre at the following times to walk together.
Tuesday – Thursday: 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM and 12:30 PM
Two additional travel tips.
- Always carry your health insurance card.
- We recommend that at all conferences you only wear your name badge on campus or at the meeting location. Wearing it outside of those areas lets people know you are most likely a tourist.
