About Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

Named after Oliver Reginald Tambo, a leading anti-apartheid politician, Johannesburg's airport is the largest airport in South Africa and serves as the primary international air hub for the region. A useful resource for travellers, our Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport guide provides information on all aspects of the airport, including terminal facilities, public transport access and nearby accommodation options.

Information:

Airport information desks are located in the arrivals and departures areas of the international and domestic terminals. Additional information and flight details are available via the airport helpdesks (tel: +27 11 921 6262) in the terminals. The Gauteng Tourism Authority information desk (tel: +27 11 390 3614), situated in the international arrivals terminal, can assist with general queries and accommodation booking.

Website:

Driving directions:

From Johannesburg, take the eastbound R24 to the airport; from Pretoria, take the R21. The airport is clearly signposted from these approach roads. The total drive time from Johannesburg to the airport is approximately 25 minutes.

Transfer between terminals:

A free shuttle bus operates between the terminals and car parks. The terminals are situated in one large complex, enabling passengers to walk from one to the other.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus: Magic Bus (tel: +27 11 548 0800; www.magictransfers.co.za) operates scheduled bus services to Sun City and other places of interest: it has an office on the ground floor of the domestic car park building.

Shuttle: Airport Link (tel: +27 11 844 3957; www.airportlink.co.za) and EZ Shuttle (tel: +27 861 397 488; www.ezshuttle.co.za) provide door-to-door shuttle services from the airport to city destinations. Fares vary depending on the size of the travelling party.

Taxi: Official taxis operate from in front of the multi-storey car park building. The journey time to central Johannesburg is upwards of 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

Public transport rail:

Train: The high-speed Gautrain (tel: +27 800 428 87246; www.gautrain.co.za) runs between Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport, Marlboro (for connections to Pretoria and Johannesburg) and Sandton. The travel time to Marlboro is 10 minutes, and Sandton 15 minutes.

Terminal facilities

Money:

There are ATMs, banks and bureaux de change within the terminals.

Food:

There are plenty of places to eat and drink at O. R. Tambo International Airport. These outlets include cafés, restaurants and fast-food chains.

Shopping:

Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport has a wide variety of shops, including a duty-free mall in Terminal A. Among the specialist shops are gift retailers, bookshops, designer clothing brands and jewellers.

Luggage:

Luggage storage facilities are managed by A-Tech (tel: +27 11 390 2318) and are available 24hrs at the airport. Porters can be found in the arrivals halls and are instantly recognisable thanks to their bright orange uniforms and ACSA badges – tipping is recommended. Visitors should not use unauthorised porters. For lost and found queries, contact the main airport information desk (tel: +27 11 921 6262).

Other:

Other available facilities at the airport include a 24-hour medical clinic, chapel, Muslim prayer room and baby changing facilities.

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

Numerous business lounges are available at the airport, with carrier-specific lounges including British Airways, Emirates and Air France. Conference facilities are handled by the versatile Premier Conference Centre, in the domestic terminal, which offers three 10-seater rooms, a 12-seater room, a 14-seater room, a seminar facility for groups of 25 or 50, as well as a conference room for groups of 60 or 120. 

Further conference and business facilities are readily available at several nearby hotels, including the Mondior at Emperors Palace Hotel (tel: +27 11 928 1000; www.emperorspalace.com).

Communication Facilities:

Wi-Fi internet access (free of charge for the first 4 hours or 1 gigabyte of data) is available throughout Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport. Additionally, static computer terminals with internet capabilities are also available in the airport. There is an on-site post office. Apart from public telephones, mobile telephone hire is also available.

Disabled facilities:

The airport is easily accessible, with lifts (two of which are equipped with Braille signage) and ramps throughout the terminals.

Disabled parking spaces are available. The free shuttle service that serves the remote car parking area can accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. Disabled passengers without a disabled pass should contact the main airport help desk (tel: +27 11 921 6262) for assistance.

A golf cart service, which can accommodate disabled passengers, operates between the terminals and the car hire areas.

Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline in advance of travel.

Car parking:

There are several car parks (totalling 11,500 spaces on-site) offering short- and long-term parking, including an underground facility as well as outdoor and covered areas. A free 24-hour shuttle bus service operates between the furthest away car parks and the terminals. Valet parking, operated by Executive Carports (tel: +27 11 390 2062; www.executivecarport.co.za), is also available.

Car rental:

International car hire companies operating at the airport include: Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty, as well as a handful of local operators.