Terminal at OR Tambo Airport | Routes & Transfers (JNB)
BUS TERMINAL
Guide to bus services at OR Tambo International Airport. Metrobus, Putco city routes, private shuttle operators and long-distance coach connections from JNB.
Bus Terminal at OR Tambo International Airport
OR Tambo has an on-site bus and coach terminus — unlike Lanseria or Port Elizabeth Airport, you don’t need to leave the airport precinct to find scheduled bus services. The bus terminal is located in the multi-storey parkade, behind the car hire depots — follow the bus and coach icons from the terminal to find it.
City Bus Routes — Metrobus and Putco
OR Tambo is served by five city bus lines, operated by Metrobus and Putco, connecting the airport to the Johannesburg CBD and other city destinations. These routes are specifically scheduled around passenger demand patterns — services run with two trips per day, in the morning and the evening, aligned with when the majority of passengers arrive or depart. This makes city bus services at OR Tambo a genuinely useful, low-cost option if your arrival or departure time happens to align with the schedule, but not a flexible, run-anytime service the way the Gautrain is.
Private Bus and Shuttle Operators
Beyond the scheduled Metrobus/Putco city lines, several private operators run express bus and shuttle services from OR Tambo to the Johannesburg CBD and other destinations, including:
Magic Bus, Luxliner, Airport Link and the Emperors Palace Airport Shuttle Service all operate private transfer services from the airport, offering more flexible scheduling than the twice-daily city bus lines, typically at a higher fare than Metrobus/Putco but well below a private car transfer.
Long-Distance Coach Connections
For travellers continuing beyond Johannesburg by road, OR Tambo’s location and connections make it a practical starting point for long-distance coach travel further afield, with private bus lines also running express services to other locations beyond the immediate CBD.
Bus Terminal vs Gautrain vs Other Transport
If your priority is speed and a predictable timetable to Sandton, Rosebank, the Johannesburg CBD or Pretoria, the Gautrain (running roughly every 12 minutes from around 05:15 to 22:00) is almost always the better choice — see our Gautrain and transfers guide for the full comparison. The bus terminal is most useful for budget-conscious travellers whose arrival or departure time happens to line up with the twice-daily Metrobus/Putco schedule, or those using one of the private shuttle operators for a specific route the Gautrain doesn’t cover.
Getting to the Bus Terminal
From the arrivals hall, follow the clearly marked bus and coach icons through the terminal — the bus and coach terminus is located in the multi-storey parkade, directly behind the car hire depots. If you’re unsure of the route on the day, the airport’s information desks can point you in the right direction.
FAQs — Bus Terminal at OR Tambo Airport
FAQ A complete guide to O.R. Tambo International Airport – airlines, parking, facilities, transport options, charter services, check-in tips and more.
1. Where is the bus terminal at OR Tambo? In the multi-storey parkade, behind the car hire depots. Follow the bus and coach icons from the terminal building.
2. Which bus companies operate from OR Tambo? Metrobus and Putco operate five scheduled city bus lines. Private operators including Magic Bus, Luxliner, Airport Link and the Emperors Palace Airport Shuttle Service also run from the airport.
3. How often do buses run from OR Tambo? The Metrobus/Putco city lines run twice a day — morning and evening — aligned with peak passenger arrival and departure times. Private shuttle operators typically offer more flexible scheduling.
4. Is the bus cheaper than the Gautrain from OR Tambo? Generally yes for the scheduled Metrobus/Putco city lines, though the trade-off is far less flexible timing. Private shuttle operators sit between bus and a full private transfer in price.
5. Can I get a bus to Sandton from OR Tambo? The Gautrain is the standard fast option to Sandton. For bus options, check directly with the private shuttle operators (Magic Bus, Luxliner, Airport Link) for current routes covering Sandton specifically.
6. Is there a long-distance coach terminal at OR Tambo? The on-site terminus primarily serves city and private shuttle routes. For long-distance coach travel beyond the immediate Johannesburg/Pretoria area, confirm with specific operators whether they depart directly from OR Tambo or from a city-centre terminal.
7. How do I find the bus terminal at OR Tambo when I land? Follow the bus and coach icons/signage from the arrivals hall through the terminal to the multi-storey parkade.
8. Is the airport bus terminal the same as the Gautrain station? No, these are separate facilities. The Gautrain station is inside Terminal B; the bus and coach terminus is in the multi-storey parkade behind the car hire depots.
9. What is the Emperors Palace Airport Shuttle Service? A private shuttle service connecting OR Tambo to Emperors Palace, a major hotel, casino and entertainment resort near the airport in Kempton Park.
10. Should I take the bus or the Gautrain from OR Tambo? If your timing aligns with the twice-daily Metrobus/Putco schedule and budget is the priority, the bus works well. For flexible timing and the fastest route to Sandton, Rosebank, the Johannesburg CBD or Pretoria, the Gautrain is generally the better choice.
