Officials denied too much had been spent on the football spectacular, saying the new infrastructure would leave a lasting legacy in a country where the majority black population was starved of public transport under apartheid.
President Jacob Zuma opened the greatly expanded Johannesburg airport - already Africa's biggest - which officials said would handle 28 million passengers a year and more than 60 flights a day.
"We have not had wonderful public transport in South Africa," Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin said after the airport opening ceremony. "Government has identified the privilege of hosting the World Cup as an opportunity also to lay down the beginnings of a wonderful public transport system," he said.
Football's governing body FIFA last year flagged transport as a concern but officials said the system was ready and would be able to handle the world's most-watched sporting event.
"HASSLE-FREE TRANSPORT"
"We are quite convinced that international visitors to South Africa will have a wonderful experience culturally, sporting wise and also a hassle-free transport system and that there will be a legacy left for ordinary South Africans," Cronin added.
"Government has invested more than 19 billion rand on public transport infrastructure for the World Cup to ensure that the tournament leaves a rich legacy for our country and continent," he added.
Ndebele said South Africa would provide World Cup fans with a ground transportation system that "is reliable, easily accessible, safe and secure, convenient and affordable."
There have been concerns that airlines may not be able to handle the fan traffic but Skhumbuzo Macozoma, a transport specialist from the local organising committee, said "right now we don't have any alarm bells."
"There is no message that says we have spent too much," Macozoma said.
