Why Sandton students are moving to Midrand
Sandton accommodation has always been expensive, and student accommodation Sandton searches usually turn up the same result: high rents for a small room in one of South Africa's priciest business districts. A growing number of students and young professionals who need to be in Sandton are instead choosing to live in Midrand and commute in on the Gautrain - trading a few minutes on the train for meaningfully cheaper, quieter accommodation. If you're searching for Sandton cheap accommodation and not finding much, Midrand is worth a look.
The Gautrain commute: Midrand to Sandton in minutes
The Gautrain's North-South Line connects Midrand station directly to Sandton, with one intermediate stop at Marlboro. The trip takes around 11-13 minutes, and a single fare is typically in the region of R37-R42, though fares can change - always check current times and pricing on the official Gautrain schedule page before you travel.
That short hop is the whole case for choosing Midrand over paying for accommodation near Sandton directly: you get a quieter, more affordable base, and you're still in the city centre of Sandton in less time than it takes to queue for a taxi in peak-hour Sandton traffic.
- Duration: around 11-13 minutes, Midrand to Sandton
- Line: North-South Line, towards Park Station
- Intermediate stop: Marlboro
- Cost: approximately R37-R42 per trip (confirm current fares on the Gautrain site)
- Timetable: check live departure times at gautrain.co.za/commuter/schedule
Accommodation near Sandton vs. living in Midrand
Accommodation near Sandton comes at a premium because Sandton is South Africa's main business district, not a student area - most of what's available is aimed at corporate tenants, not student budgets. Midrand, by contrast, has purpose-built student accommodation developed specifically for the Waterfall/Midrand precinct, generally at a lower price point than anything comparable closer to Sandton itself. For students who don't need to be in Sandton every day, or who just need reliable access to it, Midrand offers a genuinely cheaper way to be near Sandton without paying Sandton prices.
Emeris and the Midrand-Sandton shuttle link
Emeris, a student accommodation brand with a presence in both areas, illustrates the connection well. Emeris Sandton sits around 2.7km from Sandton Gautrain station, while on the Midrand side, Emeris runs a shuttle service from Midrand Gautrain station to the Midrand/Eduvos Midrand campus area - see our Eduvos Midrand accommodation guide for more on getting around that campus precinct. Together, that means a student based in Midrand can realistically use the Gautrain plus a short shuttle or walk at each end to move between the two nodes.
Important: shuttle services and schedules can and do change. Always confirm directly with your college that a shuttle is currently running, and confirm its schedule from the Gautrain station to campus with the college itself before relying on it - this is not something DigsConnect can guarantee.
Featured: Midrand Student Accommodation (opening 2027)
The clearest sign of where this trend is heading is a flagship development already listed on DigsConnect: Midrand Student Accommodation, a new build set for delivery in 2027 that will house 650 students once complete, positioned around Emeris and Eduvos Midrand. It's being built for exactly this kind of student - close to Eduvos Midrand and the Emeris precinct, with the Gautrain putting Sandton and Johannesburg within easy reach, and described by its developers as offering "amazing student life" alongside the commuter convenience. View the Midrand Student Accommodation listing on DigsConnect for full details and to register interest ahead of its 2027 opening.
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View Midrand Student Accommodation on DigsConnectFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Midrand to Sandton?
Around 11-13 minutes on the Gautrain's North-South Line, via one stop at Marlboro. Always check live times on the official Gautrain schedule, since timetables can change.
Is Midrand cheaper than Sandton for students?
Generally, yes. Sandton accommodation is priced for South Africa's premier business district and is rarely built with student budgets in mind. Midrand has purpose-built student accommodation developed for the area, typically at a lower price point, with the Gautrain closing the distance to Sandton in minutes.
Does Emeris run a shuttle from the Gautrain station?
Emeris runs a shuttle from Midrand Gautrain station to the Midrand/Eduvos Midrand campus area. Shuttle routes and schedules can change, so always confirm directly with your college that the service is still running and check its current schedule before relying on it.
What is the Midrand Student Accommodation development on DigsConnect?
It's a new student accommodation property in Midrand, near Emeris and Eduvos Midrand, due for delivery in 2027 and set to house 650 students. You can view the full listing on DigsConnect and register interest ahead of completion.