ARRIVING AT
GABORONELeaving Sir Seretse Khama International (Gaborone): transport guide
Sir Seretse Khama International (Gaborone) · Botswana
Medium riskUpdated June 2026High confidence
Small airport, 15 km from city. Few public transport options. Pre-booked transfers and registered taxis are standard. Cash (BWP) preferred.
TL;DR
GBE (Sir Seretse Khama International (Gaborone)) is the main international airport serving Gaborone, Botswana. The recommended way out is Pre-booked hotel transfer or registered taxi (~P150–P250 taxi, 25–35 min to Gaborone). Pickup is at Taxi desk in arrivals. The most common scam to watch for is "Inflated tourist rate". Fares on the GBE → Gaborone CBD route typically run P150–P250; anything above P500 'tourist' is almost certainly a scam. Last updated June 2026.
IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING
Pre-booked hotel transfer or registered taxi
- Typical fare
- P150–P250 taxi
- Journey time
- 25–35 min to Gaborone
- Pickup
- Taxi desk in arrivals
WARNING · Quote price before getting in; meters rare
01
Compare your options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Wait | Payment | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Registered airport taxi | P150–P250 | Immediate | 💳Card / Cash | |
Pre-booked transfer | P200–P350 | Pre-arranged | 💳Card / Cash | |
Combi (minibus) | P5–P10 | Every 30 min | 💵Cash | — |
02
Your first 30 minutes
- 1Clear immigration
- 2Bags
- 3Taxi desk inside arrivals or pre-booked driver
- 4Confirm BWP price
- 5Total: 25–35 min
03
Airport exit score
AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
72/ 100
- Scam risk72
- Public transport40
- Ride-hailing78
- Signage clarity75
- Payment convenience70
04
Fare reality check
GBE → Gaborone CBD
- P150–P250ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
- P400+ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
- P500 'tourist'Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
05
Best ways out, ranked
- 1
Registered airport taxi
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- P150–P250
- Journey
- 25–35 min
- Wait
- Immediate
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Regulated
Cons- No meter
- 2
Pre-booked transfer
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- P200–P350
- Journey
- 25–35 min
- Wait
- Pre-arranged
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Trusted
Cons- Pricier
- 3
Combi (minibus)
- Cost
- P5–P10
- Journey
- 45–60 min
- Wait
- Every 30 min
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Cheapest
Cons- No luggage room
06
Paying without surprises
- BWP cash
- ATM in arrivals
- Cards in hotels
07
Common scams
Inflated tourist rate
Medium riskDrivers double quoted price after arrival.
HOW TO AVOID · Agree price at the taxi desk before getting in.
08
What locals & travellers say
GBE·Gaborone
“Most business hotels in CBD or Phakalane — confirm with driver.”
Official AirportCBD vs Game CityChecked June 2026likely
- "Most business hotels in CBD or Phakalane — confirm with driver." — CBD vs Game City
09
Arrival checklist
- BWP cash
- Hotel district
- Price agreed
✉︎
Take it with you
10
GBE arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Sir Seretse Khama International (Gaborone)?
- Pre-booked hotel transfer or registered taxi. Quote price before getting in; meters rare.
- Are taxis at GBE safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: inflated tourist rate — Drivers double quoted price after arrival. Agree price at the taxi desk before getting in.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at GBE?
- Ride-hailing availability at GBE varies — check the app before you land. Where it works, the pickup point is usually outside the arrivals curb in a marked zone.
- How much should a taxi from GBE to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the GBE → Gaborone CBD route is roughly P150–P250. Anything around P400+ is high — P500 'tourist' is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at GBE?
- Carry small local notes — Registered airport taxi expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Sir Seretse Khama International (Gaborone)?
- Taxi desk in arrivals. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is GBE safe to arrive at late at night?
- Late-night arrivals carry extra scam pressure here — specifically inflated tourist rate. Pre-book a transfer where possible, stay inside the terminal until your ride is confirmed, and use the official rank only.
- What scams should I watch for at GBE?
- The most reported at GBE: Inflated tourist rate. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.