OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) is more than just an airport; it’s Africa’s busiest and most-connected aviation hub, serving as the primary gateway to the continent. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a frequent flyer, this guide is your complete resource for navigating OR Tambo with confidence.
Airport Overview & Key Facts
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Official Name: O.R. Tambo International Airport
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IATA Code: JNB | ICAO Code: FAOR
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Location: Kempton Park, Gauteng, approximately 25 km east of Johannesburg’s CBD and 50 km from Pretoria.
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Elevation: 1,694 meters (5,558 feet) above sea level. This high altitude makes it one of the world’s highest major airports and requires longer runways for aircraft performance.
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Operator: Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).
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Annual Passengers: Handles over 28 million passengers annually.
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Airlines & Destinations: Serves 140+ destinations across 6 continents with 46 airlines.
Terminal Guide: Finding Your Way
OR Tambo has a simplified terminal system to make navigation easier.
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Terminal A: International Departures. This is where you’ll find check-in, duty-free shopping, and immigration for outbound international flights.
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Terminal B: International Arrivals. All international passengers arrive here, going through immigration, customs, and baggage reclaim. The Gautrain station is also accessed from this terminal.
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Terminal C: Domestic Flights. Served by major domestic carriers like South African Airways (SAA) and British Airways (operated by Comair).
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Terminal D: Domestic Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs). This terminal is used by budget airlines such as FlySafair, Lift, and Kulula.
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Central Terminal: A covered walkway connects all terminals.
Getting To & From OR Tambo
Car Rental
All major car rental companies have desks conveniently located in the arrival halls. You can pre-book to save up to 40% and guarantee availability.
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International Arrivals Hall: Avis, Hertz, Bidvest, Woodford, Tempest, Capital.
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Domestic Arrivals Hall: Europcar, First, Thrifty, Select.
The Gautrain
The Gautrain rapid rail link offers the fastest and most efficient way to get to Sandton (just 15 minutes) and other key destinations.
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Station Location: Elevated position on the International Departures level, accessible from Terminal B.
Airport Transfers & Ride-Hailing
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Uber/Bolt: Pick-up zones are located on the ground floor of the P2 parking area.
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Private Shuttles: Pre-book a door-to-door shuttle service to any hotel in Johannesburg, Pretoria, or Soweto.
Airport Parking
OR Tambo offers 9 car parks with a total of 11,500 parking bays. Options include short-stay, long-stay, and premium parking. It is highly recommended to pre-book online to save up to 30% and secure a spot, especially during peak seasons.
Airport Lounges: Escape the Crowd
OR Tambo has over 14 lounges, many of which are accessible to all travelers for a fee.
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Bidvest Premier Lounge (R495 walk-in): South Africa’s largest independent lounge operator. Offers a hot and cold buffet, alcoholic drinks, fast Wi-Fi, and quiet zones. Accepts Priority Pass and LoungeKey.
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SLOW Lounge (R550 walk-in): A premium experience with a distinctly South African design. Features chef-prepared food, a cocktail bar, and showers.
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Shongololo Lounge (R500 walk-in): Located in the international terminal, perfect for late-night departures. Accepts Priority Pass.
Pro-Tip: Many South African bank cards (Discovery Bank, Nedbank Private Wealth, ABSA Private Banking, FNB) include complimentary lounge visits.
Shopping & Dining
Shopping
OR Tambo offers a huge array of shops.
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Duty-Free: Big 5 Duty Free is located in the international departures duty-free mall.
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Local Crafts: Find African arts and crafts at stores like African Origins, Indaba, and Out of Africa.
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Fashion & Luxury: Brands like Burberry, Ferrari, and Earthchild are available in the Duty-Free Mall.
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Electronics & SIM Cards: Capi Photo & Electronics, and mobile network stores like Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C are in the Central Terminal Building.
Dining
From quick bites to sit-down meals, the airport has it all.
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Fast Food: Nando’s, Steers, KFC, Debonairs Pizza, and Chicken Licken.
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Sit-Down Restaurants: Ocean Basket (seafood) and Spur (steakhouse) are popular choices in the food court.
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Coffee Shops: Mugg & Bean, Vida e Cafe, and Europa.
Essential Airport Services
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Banks & Forex: Major banks (ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank) and foreign exchange bureaus (Bidvest, Travelex) are in the Central Terminal Building.
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Clinic & Pharmacy: A medical clinic and pharmacies are available for any health needs.
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VAT Refund: Tax refunds for tourists can be processed at the VAT Refund Point in the Duty-Free Mall.
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Police & Lost Property: The SAPS Airport Police Service is on-site for security and lost property.
