From the airport into Gaborone: every option and what it costs

By Kabelo Molefe, Botswana host 24 August 2026 6 min read

Airplanes taxiing on runway at a busy airport under clear skies. — Photo by Max Chen on Pexels

The first thing that hits you when you step out of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is the light—that hard, late-winter African sun that bleaches the sky to a pale, dust-hazed blue. It’s mid-morning, the air is already warming from the crisp 13°C start, and you’re about to make your way into Gaborone, 25 kilometres south. You could be forgiven for feeling a little lost, but you’re not. I’ve done this trip a hundred times, and here’s exactly how to get from the tarmac to your guesthouse, your hotel, or your first seswaa lunch—without getting fleeced.

The lay of the land: your options at a glance

Gaborone’s airport isn’t a sprawling hub; it’s a tidy, manageable gateway. You’ve got four realistic ways to reach the city: the Gaborone Rapid Transit (GRT) bus, the shared combi minibuses, taxis (both shared and private “specials”), and pre-booked private transfers. Each has its own rhythm, cost, and level of comfort. I’ll walk you through them, and by the end you’ll know exactly which one is yours.

The budget ride: GRT bus and combis

If you’re travelling on a shoestring or you’re just the sort who likes to land like a local, the municipal bus is your friend. The GRT branded buses run from the airport into the city centre, and the fare is around P9 for a single ride—that’s less than a dollar. The service is reliable enough, but be prepared for a longer journey than a taxi: you’ll make stops, and the ride into the CBD can take 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. You’ll want to have exact change in pula, because the driver won’t break a P100 note.

A slightly more flexible option is the combi—those white minibuses that criss-cross the city with their routes hand-painted on the windscreen. Officially, a single fare is around P5 to P10; the government gazetted P9 back in April 2026. You’ll see them lined up just outside the arrivals terminal, and it’s worth asking the drivers “Gabs centre?” before you hop in. They’ll drop you off at the main bus rank on the edge of the CBD, and from there you can grab a taxi to your final stop. It’s the cheapest way into town, but it’s also the most chaotic—hand your bag to the conductor, keep your phone zipped, and don’t expect a seatbelt.

I’ll be honest: the combi is fine for the adventurous, but if you’ve got luggage heavier than a backpack, you might want to skip it. The GRT is a little more structured, but both share the same downtown destination: the Gaborone Bus Rank. Word from August 2026 is that the city council handed that rank to a private developer, and there have been evictions of the long-time food vendors there. It’s a little raw at the moment, but the buses still run. Just don’t rely on grabbing a cheap lunch at the rank—you might find the stalls quieter than usual.

Taxis: the special and the shared

Taxis are where you’ll get the most flexibility without breaking the bank. The blue-plated taxis are the city’s lifeblood. You have two choices:

Shared taxi: If you’re willing to share the ride with strangers going your way, you’ll pay roughly P5 to P10 per passenger. The driver will take a route that picks up and drops off others, so it’s not direct, but it’s cheap and sociable.
Special taxi: This is your private, direct ride. The base fare is around P30, but a trip from the airport to most central hotels will set you back P50 to P120 depending on your exact destination and the time of day. A short hop in the city, like from the bus rank to a guesthouse in Extension 15, is typically around P36. That’s a fixed trip, so agree on the price before you get in.

For the airport run, I’d say a special is the sweet spot. It’s not going to cost you a fortune—expect around P80 to P120 to get to a place like Stay Well Hotels or the Capital Guesthouse in the centre. That’s about $6–9, which is a steal for the convenience of a door-to-door ride after a long flight. But here’s the trick: don’t just grab the first driver who accosts you outside. Walk past the touts, and you’ll find the queue of legitimate specials. If you’re staying at a large hotel like the Town Lodge Gaborone, they might even have a shuttle—worth asking.

Private transfers: the “no-surprise” comfort

If you’re on a business trip, or you’ve landed at night with your head full of meeting notes, a pre-booked private transfer is the way to go. Many guesthouses and hotels—think Cosy Palms Guesthouse or the STREETS OF GOLD GUEST HOUSE—arrange a car to meet you at arrivals, holding a sign with your name. The price is usually set in advance, often around P150 to P250 (roughly $11–18), and it’s a flat fee, so no haggling. You’ll get a comfortable sedan or an SUV, a driver who’s used to dealing with jet-lagged travellers, and a smooth 25-minute cruise down the A1 highway. It’s a small premium over a special taxi, but it buys you peace of mind—especially if your phone’s out of battery or you’ve never been to Africa before.

I’d also consider this when you’re staying somewhere a bit out of the way, like the Phakalane Golf Estate north of town. That’s a 12-kilometre drive from the centre, and a special taxi might cost you closer to the P120 mark. A pre-booked transfer from the airport into Phakalane will likely be around P200 to P300, but it’s worth it to avoid negotiating with a driver who’s not sure where the estate’s gate is. And if you’re heading to Tlokweng, the urban village across the river, a transfer is your best bet—it’s a short hop from the airport, but public transport gets you no closer than the rank in the centre, and from there you’d need another taxi anyway.

Which one when? A quick guide

Here’s my honest split-the-difference advice:

Combi/GRT if: you’re solo, travelling light, on a strict budget, and not in a rush. You’ll pay under P10 and experience the city like it’s 2006—which is charming for about 20 minutes.
Special taxi if: you’re with a friend or a partner, have one suitcase each, and want a hassle-free door-to-door ride for P80–120. This is my go-to for most visitors.
Private transfer if: you’re here for work, or it’s after 8pm, or you’re staying in Phakalane/Tlokweng and want to avoid confusion. The extra R100–200 is worth your sanity.

One more thing—the city is in the middle of a shift. The Gaborone Bus Rank has been handed over to a private developer, and that’s caused some chaos with vendors. Don’t let it put you off; the combis still run, but they might pull up at temporary kerbsides. Keep your wits about you, and you’ll be fine.

Costs at a glance (approximate, in pula)

Let’s make it easy. Here are the numbers you’ll likely see, rounded to what I’d pay today:

Public bus (GRT) — around P9
Combi share — around P5–P10
Shared taxi — around P5–P10 per passenger
Special taxi (airport to city centre) — P80–P120
Special taxi (short city hop) — around P36
Private transfer (pre-booked) — P150–P250

Those are rough figures—prices move, especially with fuel. But you’d be paying roughly 38% of what you’d shell out in the US, so even the “pricey” private transfer is a bargain.

Gaborone is a compact, friendly capital. Once you’ve sorted your ride, you’ll be at the Three Dikgosi Monument or the Main Mall within half an hour, sipping a cappuccino at Ola Tia Coffee and Cream for around P30, and wondering why you ever stressed about the journey. The city gets under your skin. Get in, get moving, and enjoy it.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a taxi from Gaborone airport to the city centre?

A special (private) taxi will cost you roughly P80 to P120, depending on your hotel. A shared taxi is much cheaper, around P5–P10 per passenger, but it’s not direct. Best to agree on a fixed price before you get in.

Is there a bus from the airport into Gaborone?

Yes. The GRT municipal bus runs from the airport to the city centre, with a single fare around P9. The ride takes about 45 minutes to an hour, and you’ll need exact change in pula.

What is the cheapest way to get from the airport into Gaborone?

The combi minibus or shared taxi is the cheapest, at around P5–P10 per person. However, you’ll share the ride with locals and your luggage space may be limited. The GRT bus at P9 is only slightly more expensive and a bit more structured.

Are there rideshare apps like Uber in Gaborone?

Rideshare apps are not yet well-established in Gaborone. Your best bet is to use the local taxi ranks or pre-book a private transfer through your accommodation. Blue-plated special taxis are the standard and are widely available.

How long does it take to get from Gaborone airport to the city?

By car, it’s about 25 minutes on the A1 highway. By bus or combi, expect 45 minutes to an hour, as the route includes stops and drops you at the central bus rank.

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