R Tambo Terminal Guide | Which Terminal for Your Airline
TERMINAL GUIDE
Confused about OR Tambo’s terminals? Full breakdown of Terminal A, Terminal B and domestic facilities – which terminal your airline uses and what’s in each.
Which Terminal Do I Need at OR Tambo? The Complete Guide
If there’s one question that catches out more travellers at OR Tambo than any other, it’s “which terminal am I supposed to be at?” Unlike a single-terminal airport where the question doesn’t even arise, OR Tambo’s scale — Africa’s busiest airport, handling 46 airlines and 140+ destinations — means the terminal layout genuinely matters, and getting it wrong can cost you valuable time.
The single most important rule on this page: your boarding pass and airline confirmation email always state your correct terminal and check-in zone. Treat that as the final word over anything you read here or anywhere else, since terminal assignments can and do change.
With that caveat firmly in place, here’s how the layout generally works.
Terminal A — International Departures
Terminal A handles international check-in, outbound immigration, security screening and the airside international departure pier, including duty-free shopping and the international boarding gates. Airlines operating long-haul and international services from JNB — including Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, KLM, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, EgyptAir, China Eastern and Qantas — check in here. Given the international nature of this terminal, arrive at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure.
The InterContinental Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport Hotel is directly connected to Terminal A via an enclosed walkway, making it the single most convenient overnight option for very early international departures.
Terminal B — International Arrivals & the Gautrain
All international arrivals process through Terminal B — immigration, baggage reclaim across numerous carousels, and customs. This is also where the public arrivals hall is located, where greeters, transport operators and car hire desks are based. Crucially, the Gautrain rapid rail station is directly connected to Terminal B — follow the blue Gautrain signage from the arrivals hall to reach it.
Domestic Terminal(s) — SAA, British Airways, Airlink
Domestic check-in and departures for South African Airways, British Airways domestic routes (operated by Comair) and SA Airlink are handled in a separate domestic facility, generally referred to as Terminal B or Terminal C depending on the source — airport signage and your boarding pass are the definitive guide here. This area includes its own security screening, domestic baggage reclaim, and lounge access including the SAA lounge network and a Bidvest Premier Lounge.
Low-Cost Domestic Terminal — FlySafair and Similar Carriers
A separate, typically higher-volume and faster-moving domestic terminal handles low-cost carriers including FlySafair and similar operators, covering routes to Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha, George and other domestic destinations. Check-in here is generally quicker than the SAA/BA domestic facility, though lounge access is typically more limited in this terminal.
Regional African Terminal
Flights within Africa — to destinations including Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique — are generally handled through a regional facility separate from the main international departures terminal. If you’re flying to a regional African destination, double-check your specific check-in location on your boarding pass, as this is one of the areas most likely to vary by airline and season.
VIP and Charter
A dedicated VIP and charter facility serves private aviation and high-profile travellers, with private security, a VIP lounge, dedicated parking and concierge services — entirely separate from the main commercial terminals.
Quick Reference: Which Terminal for Your Airline?
International long-haul (Emirates, British Airways international, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, KLM, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, EgyptAir, China Eastern, Qantas, Delta): Terminal A for departure, Terminal B for arrival.
South African Airways, British Airways domestic (Comair), SA Airlink: Domestic facility — confirm exact zone on your boarding pass.
FlySafair and other low-cost domestic carriers: Separate low-cost domestic terminal.
Regional African carriers (Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, etc.): Regional facility — confirm on boarding pass, as this varies most.
Private and charter: Dedicated VIP/charter facility.
- Terminal A — International Departures
- Terminal B — International Arrivals + Gautrain station
- Terminal C — Domestic (SAA, British Airways/Comair)
- Terminal D — Domestic Low-Cost Carriers (FlySafair, Lift, CemAir) — faster check-in, seating only, no lounge
- Terminal E — Regional African flights (Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, Air Zimbabwe, LAM Mozambique, RwandAir) — connected to the main complex via a short covered walkway
- Terminal F — Dedicated VIP and private charter terminal — separate security screening, dedicated drop-off, private customs/immigration, discreet handling for corporate jets, sports charters, government delegations and VVIP travel. Access is by invitation/arrangement with private aviation operators only.
FAQs - OR Tambo Terminal 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 Airport have? The airport’s facilities are organised around Terminal A (international departures) and Terminal B (international arrivals and the Gautrain), with separate domestic and regional facilities. The exact terminal lettering used varies by source — always confirm on your boarding pass.
2. Which terminal is FlySafair at OR Tambo? FlySafair operates from a separate low-cost domestic terminal, distinct from the SAA/British Airways/Airlink domestic facility. Confirm your specific check-in zone on your boarding pass.
3. Which terminal is the Gautrain at OR Tambo? The Gautrain station is located directly inside Terminal B, accessible from the international arrivals hall via blue signage.
4. Which terminal does British Airways use at OR Tambo? British Airways’ international long-haul flights use Terminal A for departure and Terminal B for arrival. British Airways domestic routes, operated by Comair, use the domestic facility alongside SAA and Airlink.
5. How long does it take to walk between terminals at OR Tambo? Terminal A and Terminal B are connected by a Central Terminal walkway. Walking times vary depending on your specific gate or check-in zone — allow extra time if you have a tight connection between an international and domestic flight.
6. Which terminal is South African Airways at OR Tambo? SAA’s domestic flights use the domestic facility alongside British Airways (Comair) and Airlink. SAA’s international flights use Terminal A.
7. Is there a hotel connected to a terminal at OR Tambo? Yes. The InterContinental Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport Hotel is connected directly to Terminal A via an enclosed walkway. The City Lodge Hotel is connected via a walkway from the domestic baggage claim area.
8. How early should I arrive for an international flight at OR Tambo? At least 3 hours before departure, given the airport’s scale, passenger volumes and the international check-in and immigration process.
9. Where do I collect a hire car at OR Tambo? Car hire desks are located in the international arrivals hall in Terminal B.
10. What should I do if I’m not sure which terminal I need? Check your boarding pass and airline confirmation email — these always state your correct terminal and check-in zone. If still in doubt, ask at any of the airport’s information desks on arrival.
