General admission to Constitution Hill in Johannesburg starts at R150 for adults and R90 for children, students, and pensioners for the 1-hour Highlights Tour, while the comprehensive 2-hour Full Tour costs R200 for adults and R110 for concessions. While walking the precinct grounds and viewing South Africa’s Constitutional Court public areas is free of charge, entering the historic prison museum complexes—including Number Four, the Women’s Jail, and the Old Fort—requires a paid admission ticket.
Constitution Hill Ticket Prices and Tour Options
Constitution Hill operates as a living museum and human rights precinct in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Ticket pricing depends on the depth of the tour, duration, and whether you opt for standard daily departures, private tours, or specialized group experiences.
Standard Admission Rates
| Tour Type | Duration | Adults | Children (5–17 yrs) | Students & Pensioners (60+) | Schedule |
| Highlights Tour | 1 Hour | R150 | R90 | R90 | Hourly daily from 09:00 to 16:00 |
| Full Precinct Tour | 2 Hours | R200 | R110 | R110 | Daily at 10:00 and 13:00 |
| Private Full Tour | Flexible | R250 | R200 | R200 | Daily by arrangement |
| Night Tour (Min. 10 people) | 3 Hours | R390 | R390 | R390 | Last Thursday of each month |
| Time Travel Experience(With catering) | 3 Hours | R660 | — | R660 | Last Friday of each month |
| Curated Specialty Tours | Flexible | R500 | R250 | R250 | Group bookings (+10 only) |
Note: Children under 5 years old enter free of charge. The precinct is strictly cashless; tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Centre via credit/debit card or pre-booked online.
Tour Types Explained
1. The Highlights Tour (1 Hour)
Ideal for travelers with limited time or those arriving on the City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off bus. This tour alternates hourly:
- Route A: Number Four Prison, the Women’s Jail, and the Constitutional Court.
- Route B: The Old Fort, Number Four Prison, and the Constitutional Court.
After concluding the guided portion, visitors are permitted to wander the rest of the grounds at their leisure.
2. The Full Site Tour (2 Hours)
The complete historical experience covers all four core precinct sections:
- The Old Fort: The 1890s fortress that once held white male prisoners.
- Number Four: The brutal native prison known for holding political activists and common-law prisoners in degrading conditions.
- The Women’s Jail: The holding cells for female activists and pass-law offenders.
- The Constitutional Court: The functional seat of South Africa’s highest judiciary, constructed from the bricks of the demolished Awaiting Trial Block.
3. Specialized and Group Tours
- Night Tour: Explores the empty prison cells after dark, offering a quiet, evocative atmosphere that begins with sundowners atop the Fort ramparts and ends with dinner.
- Time Travel Tour: An immersive, roleplay-driven historical simulation where visitors are processed into prison uniforms, segregated, and guided through the routines endured by prisoners during the 1976 uprisings.
- Curated Tours: Specialized itineraries focusing on themes such as “Art & Justice,” “Women on the Hill,” and “Spirits of the Past.”
Discounts, Concessions, and Free Entry Days
Constitution Hill offers several reduced rates and promotional concessions to make the precinct accessible:
- Online Booking Discount: Visitors purchasing advance tickets through Webtickets often receive a 5% discount on standard admission.
- City Sightseeing Red Bus Discount: Presenting a valid same-day City Sightseeing bus ticket or receipt at the counter qualifies you for a 25% discount on your entrance ticket.
- Student and Pensioner Rates: Concession rates apply to South African and international students with a valid student card, as well as seniors over 60 with government ID.
- Family Packages: Discounted family bundles covering up to two adults and up to four children are available periodically at the ticket desk.
- Visitors with Disabilities: Regular admission applies based on age, while one accompanying caregiver or attendant receives complimentary free access.
Free Admission Days
General museum admission is waived for the public on South African national commemorative holidays:
- Human Rights Day: 21 March
- Freedom Day: 27 April
- Youth Day: 16 June
- National Women’s Day: 9 August
- Heritage Day: 24 September
- Day of Reconciliation: 16 December
What You Will See Inside the Precinct
┌────────────────────────┐
│ CONSTITUTION HILL │
└───────────┬────────────┘
┌──────────────────┬──────┴───────────┬──────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐
│ The Old Fort │ │ Number Four │ │ Women's Jail │ │ Constitutional│
│ (1890s Boer │ │ (Apartheid- │ │ (Pass-law & │ │ Court │
│ Fortress & │ │ era black │ │ female icon │ │ (Art & Law │
│ White Prison)│ │ detention) │ │ detention) │ │ Lekgotla) │
└──────────────┘ └──────────────┘ └──────────────┘ └──────────────┘
- Number Four Prison: The most notorious section of the compound, built to house non-white men under severe racial segregation. Exhibits detail the harsh treatment, the isolation cells, and the experiences of prominent figures including Mahatma Gandhi, Robert Sobukwe, and Albert Luthuli.
- The Women’s Jail: Built in 1907, this Victorian-style prison held political stalwarts such as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Albertina Sisulu, and Fatima Meer alongside women arrested for violating apartheid pass laws.
- The Old Fort: Constructed by the South African Republic (ZAR) under Paul Kruger in 1893 to defend against British forces, later converted into a high-security prison for white male inmates. Nelson Mandela was briefly held in the hospital section here during the 1962 treason trials.
- The Constitutional Court: An architectural masterpiece designed around the indigenous concept of lekgotla(gathering beneath a tree). The court features natural lighting, integrated artwork by prominent South African artists, and public observation galleries overlooking the courtroom floor.
- The Flame of Democracy: Lit in 2011 by Nelson Mandela to mark the 15th anniversary of the signing of the South African Constitution, burning continuously outside the Constitutional Court steps.
Operating Hours and Practical Visitor Information
- Standard Operating Hours: Open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.
- Ticket Desk Hours: Open from 08:45 to 16:00 (no admission tickets sold after 16:00).
- Tour Departures: Highlights tours depart every hour on the hour between 09:00 and 16:00. Full tours depart at 10:00 and 13:00.
- Special Holiday Hours: On 24 December and 31 December, the precinct closes early at 15:00 (last tour departs at 14:00).
- Precinct Closures: Constitution Hill is closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day (25 December), Day of Goodwill (26 December), and New Year’s Day (1 January).
Location and Parking
- Physical Address: 11 Kotze Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001.
- GPS Coordinates: 26°11’21.0″S, 28°02’34.3″E.
- Parking: Secure underground parking is available on site, accessible via Joubert Street / Constitution Square.
- Public Transit: Accessible via the Gautrain Park Station (followed by a short taxi/metered ride) or direct via Stop 5 on the City Sightseeing Red Bus route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is admission to Constitution Hill free?
Walking through the outdoor public precinct and visiting the active Constitutional Court building during public viewing hours is free. However, accessing the historic prison complexes, museum exhibitions (Number Four, the Old Fort, and the Women’s Jail), and participating in guided tours requires a paid admission ticket starting from R150 for adults.
Do I need to book Constitution Hill tickets in advance?
Individual visitors and small groups do not need to make advance reservations; you can purchase tickets at the Visitor Centre on arrival. However, pre-booking online via Webtickets is recommended to secure preferred departure slots and access occasional online ticket discounts. Groups larger than 10 people and specialty tours (such as Night Tours or Time Travel Tours) require advance booking.
What is the difference between the Highlights Tour and the Full Tour?
The Highlights Tour lasts 1 hour and covers two primary museum sections alongside the Constitutional Court, alternating focus throughout the day. The Full Tour lasts 2 hours, departing at 10:00 and 13:00 daily, and provides an in-depth walkthrough of all four historical sites: the Old Fort, Number Four, the Women’s Jail, and the Constitutional Court.
Is Constitution Hill wheelchair accessible?
Most areas of the precinct, including the Visitor Centre, the Constitutional Court, the Women’s Jail, and major pathways, are wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevator access. However, due to the preserved historic nature of the Old Fort ramparts and certain narrow corridors inside Number Four, some historic sections may have uneven surfaces or restricted access.
How long should I plan to spend at Constitution Hill?
A standard visit requires between 2 and 3 hours. This allows sufficient time to complete a 1- or 2-hour guided tour, browse the museum gift shop, view the art collections inside the Constitutional Court, and spend a few moments at the Flame of Democracy.
Can I take photographs inside Constitution Hill?
Yes, non-commercial photography is permitted throughout the prison yards, exterior grounds, and museum exhibition rooms. Photography inside the Constitutional Court chamber is allowed when the court is not in active session, provided flash is not used and visitor guidelines are observed.