OR Tambo Airport Guide | Terminals, Facilities & Map (JNB)
AIRPORT GUIDE
Complete guide to OR Tambo International Airport. Terminal layout, facilities, Gautrain, lounges and everything you need for a smooth trip through Africa’s busiest airport.
Your Complete Guide to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)
OR Tambo International Airport sits in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, approximately 23 km north-west of the Johannesburg CBD and 46 km south of Pretoria. As Africa’s busiest airport – handling more than 28 million passengers a year across 140-plus destinations and 46 airlines – it operates at a scale unlike any other South African airport, with a correspondingly larger and more complex terminal layout.
Terminal Layout
OR Tambo’s passenger facilities are built around two main terminal complexes — Terminal A (international departures) and Terminal B (international arrivals, and home to the Gautrain station) — connected by a Central Terminal building. Domestic operations are handled separately: South African Airways, British Airways (operated by Comair) and Airlink check in at one set of domestic facilities, while low-cost domestic carriers including FlySafair operate from a separate, typically faster-moving domestic area.
Because terminal assignments can change and different sources describe the layout slightly differently, the single most reliable rule is this: your boarding pass and airline confirmation email will always state your correct terminal and check-in zone. Treat that as the final word, and use our complete terminal guide for context on what’s where.
Key Facilities at OR Tambo
Restaurants and food: Confirmed outlets across the terminals include Mugg & Bean, Vida e Caffè, Kauai, Ocean Basket, Nando’s, Steers, KFC, Woolworths Café and Spur, alongside Marble Restaurant in international departures — a far larger and more varied selection than any other South African airport. See our food and drink guide.
Lounges: Five independent premium lounges open to any passenger regardless of airline (two Bidvest lounges in domestic, a further Bidvest lounge plus the Mashonzha and Shongololo lounges in international), in addition to numerous airline-specific lounges including SAA’s recently renovated Lounge network, British Airways’ Galleries lounge, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and the Aspire Lounge. Full detail on our lounges page.
Shops: Duty-free shopping (including major operators in the international departures mall), South African arts and crafts, jewellery, clothing and footwear, health and beauty, plus banking, foreign exchange, a pharmacy, a medical clinic, post office and VAT refund point. See our shops and services guide.
The Gautrain: A rapid rail station sits directly inside Terminal B, connecting the airport to Sandton, Rosebank, Park Station in the Johannesburg CBD, and Pretoria. Full detail on our Gautrain and transfers guide.
Wi-Fi: Free ACSA Wi-Fi is available across all terminals — connect without a password for a complimentary period, with paid day passes available thereafter.
Car hire: Avis, Bidvest Car Rental, Capital Car Hire, Europcar, First Car Rental, Hertz, Sani Car Rental, Select Car Hire, Tempest Car Hire and Woodford Car Hire all operate from the arrivals hall. See our car hire guide.
Airport Contact Details
Address: O.R. Tambo International Airport, Private Bag X1, 1627 Helpdesk: +27 (0)11 921 6262 Flight information: 086 72 77 888 Official ACSA site: airports.co.za
FAQs - OR Tambo Airport Guide
FAQ A complete guide to O.R. Tambo International Airport – airlines, parking, facilities, transport options, charter services, check-in tips and more.
1. How many terminals does OR Tambo have? The airport is built around two main complexes — Terminal A (international departures) and Terminal B (international arrivals, plus the Gautrain) — with domestic operations split across separate facilities for SAA/BA/Airlink and low-cost carriers. Confirm your specific terminal on your boarding pass.
2. Is Wi-Fi free at OR Tambo? Yes, a complimentary period of Wi-Fi is available across all terminals via the ACSA network, with paid day passes available for extended use.
3. What restaurants are at OR Tambo? A wide range, including Mugg & Bean, Vida e Caffè, Kauai, Ocean Basket, Nando’s, Steers, KFC, Woolworths Café, Spur and Marble Restaurant in international departures.
4. Does OR Tambo have a train station? Yes — the Gautrain station is located inside Terminal B, with services to Sandton, Rosebank, Johannesburg CBD and Pretoria.
5. How many lounges does OR Tambo have? Five independent premium lounges are open to any passenger regardless of airline, plus numerous airline-specific lounges for SAA, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and others.
6. Is car hire available at OR Tambo? Yes, with a wide range of providers including Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Budget, Bidvest, First Car Rental and others, all based in the arrivals hall.
7. How far is OR Tambo from Johannesburg? Approximately 23 km north-west of the Johannesburg CBD.
8. Is OR Tambo open 24 hours? Yes, the airport operates 24 hours a day, though individual shops, restaurants and lounges follow their own hours.
9. Does OR Tambo have a medical clinic? Yes, a medical clinic operates within the terminal complex alongside a pharmacy.
10. Who manages OR Tambo Airport? Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the state entity that also operates Cape Town International, King Shaka and several other major South African airports.
