OR Tambo Airport Lounges | Bidvest, Slow, SAA & More Compared
LOUNGES
Complete guide to every lounge at OR Tambo International Airport. Bidvest, Slow, SAA’s renovated lounges, Aspire and airline-exclusive options – access and pricing.
OR Tambo Airport Lounges - The Complete Comparison
OR Tambo has more premium lounges than any other airport in South Africa — a reflection of its scale as Africa’s busiest air hub and home base for South African Airways. Between independent lounges open to any passenger and a full set of airline-exclusive facilities, there’s a meaningful range of options whatever you’re flying and whoever you’re flying with.
Independent Lounges (Open to Any Passenger, Any Airline)
These five lounges don’t care what airline you’re flying or what class your ticket is — access is via walk-in payment, a lounge membership card, or a pre-booked pass.
Bidvest Premier Lounge — Domestic Departures Located airside, on the lower mezzanine level (third floor of the domestic departure hall) — after security, look for escalators behind a sweet and card kiosk and take them down. Hours are typically 05:00–21:00 on weekdays and 06:00–21:00 on weekends. Conditions of entry: domestic flights only, maximum 2-hour stay, children under 2 admitted free, alcoholic drinks available from 10:00 daily. Facilities include air conditioning, refreshments, alcohol, disabled access, newspapers/magazines, flight information monitors, showers and Wi-Fi.
Bidvest Sky Lounge — Domestic Departures A second, smaller Bidvest lounge on the upper mezzanine level (fourth floor) — after security, take the lift or stairs on the right-hand side. Seats up to 73 people. Similar rates and hours to the Premier Lounge, but without showers, a smoking room, or baby change facilities.
Bidvest Premier Lounge — International Departures Located airside, after security, turn right and proceed to the end of the duty-free area, then take the escalator up to the mezzanine level. Open 24 hours daily. Conditions of entry: international flights only, maximum 3-hour stay, children under 2 admitted free, separate smoking room available. Facilities are the same broad set as the domestic Premier Lounge, including showers.
Mashonzha Lounge — International Departures One of OR Tambo’s independent international lounges, located in the international departures area.
Shongololo Lounge — International Departures The fifth independent lounge, also in international departures, and — like Bidvest — one of the lounges that accepts Priority Pass membership.
Day pass pricing: Independent lounges (Bidvest in particular) are typically pay-per-visit, around R350–R550 depending on the specific lounge, payable in cash or by card on the day, first-come first-served, no pre-booking required at most. Priority Pass membership (from around $99/year) covers entry to the Bidvest and Shongololo lounges, and many international credit cards include complimentary Priority Pass membership as a built-in benefit — worth checking before paying out of pocket.
South African Airways Lounges
SAA operates the most extensive lounge network of any single airline at OR Tambo, and recently completed a significant renovation programme across its facilities.
The Lounge (SAA Premium) — International Departures SAA’s flagship lounge, opened following a major renovation, located up the escalator in the international departures duty-free area. Open daily 06:00–00:30. Amenities include copper-clad concierge desks, a mixology show-bar, buffet dining, private suites, meeting suites, focus booths and universal charge ports with fast Wi-Fi throughout. Access: SAA Business Class passengers and qualifying Voyager tiers and partners.
SAA Platinum Lounge — International Departures Located in the international departures duty-free area, offering an à la carte menu with specially sourced wines. Access: Voyager Platinum and Lifetime Platinum members (who can bring two or three guests respectively, travelling on the same itinerary), plus qualifying partner airline elite tiers.
Cycad First Class Lounge — International Departures Located near Gate A7, open from 04:30 until the last flight departs. Access: SAA First Class passengers and Voyager Platinum/Lifetime Platinum members.
The Lounge (Domestic) — Terminal B Domestic Located on the third floor after security, open daily 04:30–20:00, offering complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, fresh cuisine and comfortable seating for domestic travellers.
SAA Arrivals Lounge — International Arrivals Directly after Customs Control, take the elevator to the first level. A genuinely useful facility for connecting passengers or anyone wanting to freshen up before leaving the airport — showers, a clothes pressing service and an enclosed smokers’ lounge. Open 04:30–12:30 (Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat) and 04:00–12:30 (Wed/Fri/Sun). Kerbside check-in is also available at this point for SAA-operated flights, extending to Investec Visa Infinite and qualifying Discovery cardholders on international SAA flights.
Other Airline-Exclusive Lounges
British Airways Galleries Lounge — past security on the mezzanine level of the international retail area within international departures. Open to BA business/first class, oneworld Sapphire/Emerald tier travellers, and other qualifying oneworld carrier customers.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse — international departures, mezzanine level, open 16:25 until the last flight departs. Access: Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers, SkyTeam Elite Plus members flying Virgin or Delta plus a guest, Virgin Australia Velocity Club Gold/Platinum/The Club members flying Virgin, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold/Solitaire PPS/PPS Club members on Virgin Atlantic flights. Facilities include freshly prepared meals, cold beverages, South African wines, showers and luggage storage.
Aspire Lounge — international departures, duty-free level, near Gate A7. Open 10:00–22:00. Pay-at-the-door access from around R496/$33, plus prepaid lounge passes, membership programmes and select credit card rewards (Diners Club, Mastercard Airport Experiences, Visa Airport Companion).
Which Lounge Should You Choose?
If you don’t have airline status or a business class ticket, the independent Bidvest, Mashonzha or Shongololo lounges are your most accessible options — pay at the door, no pre-booking required. If you have a Priority Pass membership (including one bundled with many premium credit cards), check Bidvest and Shongololo first. If you’re flying SAA Business Class or hold Voyager Platinum status, The Lounge (SAA Premium) is widely regarded as the standout option at OR Tambo – recently renovated, extensively reviewed, and offering a noticeably more elevated experience than the standard independent lounges.
FAQs - OR Tambo Airport Lounges
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 lounges does OR Tambo have? Five independent lounges open to any passenger, plus numerous airline-exclusive lounges including multiple SAA facilities, British Airways’ Galleries Lounge, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and the Aspire Lounge.
2. Can I pay to enter a lounge at OR Tambo without status? Yes. The Bidvest lounges, Mashonzha Lounge, Shongololo Lounge and Aspire Lounge all accept walk-in, pay-at-the-door access, typically ranging from around R350 to R550 depending on the lounge.
3. Does Priority Pass work at OR Tambo? Yes, the Bidvest and Shongololo lounges accept Priority Pass membership.
4. Which is the best lounge at OR Tambo? SAA’s renovated international lounge, The Lounge (SAA Premium), is widely regarded as the most elevated option, though access requires SAA Business Class or qualifying Voyager status. For walk-in access, Bidvest’s lounges are the most consistently available option.
5. Does the Bidvest lounge have showers? The domestic Premier Lounge and international Premier Lounge both have showers. The smaller Bidvest Sky Lounge does not.
6. How do I access the SAA lounge at OR Tambo? Access depends on the specific SAA lounge: Business Class tickets and various Voyager tiers (Platinum, Lifetime Platinum) unlock different lounges, with First Class passengers and top-tier Voyager members able to access the Cycad First Class Lounge.
7. Is there a free lounge for connecting passengers at OR Tambo? The SAA Arrivals Lounge, located after Customs Control in international arrivals, is specifically designed for connecting passengers and offers showers and a clothes pressing service, though access is restricted to qualifying SAA passengers.
8. Can I access the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse without flying Virgin? Yes, in specific cases — SkyTeam Elite Plus members flying Virgin or Delta, and certain Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines frequent flyer tiers, can access the Clubhouse when flying on a qualifying Virgin Atlantic flight.
9. How much does the Aspire Lounge cost at OR Tambo? Pay-at-the-door access starts at around R496 (approximately $33), with prepaid passes and select credit card memberships also accepted.
10. Are OR Tambo’s domestic and international lounges in different locations? Yes. Domestic lounges (Bidvest Premier and Sky, plus SAA’s domestic lounge) are located airside in the domestic departure hall, while international lounges (Bidvest Premier, Mashonzha, Shongololo, SAA’s various lounges, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Aspire) are located airside in the international departures terminal.
