Getting to campus: transport at South Africa’s biggest universities
Where you live decides your transport bill more than anything else you choose. This guide walks through the ten campuses that DigsConnect students search for most, the suburbs within walking distance of each, and the shuttle, train, bus and taxi options when you live further out. Check current timetables and fares with the university before you sign a lease — routes change, and some shuttles need a student card. Details in this guide are accurate as of the time of writing in 2026; routes, fares and schedules change, so always confirm current details with the relevant transport provider.
University of Pretoria — Hatfield
Hatfield, Arcadia, Brooklyn and the streets around Lynnwood Road are walkable. The Hatfield Gautrain station is beside the campus, with buses feeding it, and UP runs its own shuttle between its campuses and the residences. Sunnyside and the city centre are a short bus or taxi ride. If you live along the Gautrain line (Centurion, Pretoria station) the train is quick but not cheap for daily use.
University of Cape Town
The Jammie Shuttle is the deciding factor: it runs free for students between upper, middle and lower campus and stops in Rondebosch, Mowbray, Observatory, Claremont and the residences, with a late-night service. Rondebosch and Mowbray are walkable; the Southern Line trains serve Rosebank, Mowbray and Rondebosch stations, and MyCiTi and Golden Arrow buses run along the main road. Hiddingh (Gardens) and the medical campus (Observatory) have their own Jammie routes.
Wits — Braamfontein and Parktown
Braamfontein is a walk to the Yale Road and Jorissen Street gates. Park Station — Gautrain, Metrorail and long-distance buses — is a few blocks away, and Rea Vaya buses stop on the edge of campus. Wits runs its own bus between the Braamfontein campus, Parktown campuses and residences. Auckland Park, Melville and Parktown are one bus or a short taxi.
University of Johannesburg — Kingsway
Auckland Park, Melville, Westdene, Richmond and Brixton are walking distance to the Kingsway (APK) campus, and Bunting Road is next door. Rea Vaya buses run along Kingsway Avenue from the city and Braamfontein, and UJ runs an inter-campus shuttle to Doornfontein and Soweto. Taxis to and from Braamfontein and the CBD are frequent.
Stellenbosch University
Almost nobody needs transport. Die Boord, Universiteitsoord, Dalsig, Onder-Papegaaiberg and the streets around campus are a walk or cycle; a bicycle is the standard Stellenbosch purchase. The Tygerberg medical campus is a separate case in Bellville, on the Northern Line and Golden Arrow routes.
UWC and CPUT — Bellville
Both campuses sit in Bellville, with student rooms in Bellville, Parow and Belhar. Unibell station on the Northern Line is on the UWC side, Golden Arrow buses and taxis run along Robert Sobukwe Road and Voortrekker Road, and both universities run shuttles between campuses and residences. CPUT’s District Six campus is served by the city-bound trains, MyCiTi and taxis.
UKZN Howard College and DUT — Durban
Glenwood and Umbilo are walkable to Howard College; Berea and Musgrave are close to DUT’s Steve Biko and Ritson campuses. Between them, the city’s buses and taxis along the main roads (Umbilo Road, Berea Road, the Musgrave–Berea ridge) connect the student suburbs and the centre. UKZN runs a shuttle between Howard College, the medical school and Westville; DUT’s campuses are within walking or a short taxi of each other.
Nelson Mandela University — Summerstrand
Summerstrand and Humewood are walkable to the main and South campuses. The university runs a shuttle between its campuses and residences, and Algoa Bus routes and taxis link Summerstrand with Central and Walmer. A bicycle works well on the flat beachfront roads.
How to keep transport near zero
- Choose a room on the shuttle route or within a 20-minute walk. On DigsConnect every listing shows the walking and driving time to nearby campuses — use it before you enquire.
- Price a month of your real route, not the headline fare. Two taxis a day, five days a week, adds up to a rent difference.
- Check the last shuttle time if you have evening lectures or library sessions.
- A bicycle pays for itself in a term in Stellenbosch, Summerstrand, Hatfield and Rondebosch.
- Ask the residence whether they run a shuttle; many private residences near UP, Wits and UJ do.
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Search rooms near your campusFrequently asked questions
Is the Jammie Shuttle free?
Yes, for UCT students with a valid student card. It runs between campuses, residences and the surrounding suburbs on a published timetable, including late-night routes.
Is the Gautrain worth it for students?
For occasional trips between Pretoria, Johannesburg and the airport, yes. For a daily commute it is usually more expensive than living within walking distance or on a bus route, so compare the monthly cost.
How do I check how far a room is from campus?
Every DigsConnect listing shows walking and driving times to the nearest campuses, and the search map lets you see where a room sits relative to campus.
Do universities run their own shuttles?
Most large campuses do — UCT, UP, Wits, UJ, UWC, CPUT, UKZN and NMU all run shuttles between campuses and residences. Routes and hours change each year, so check with the university transport office.