# O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

> Johannesburg, ZA · 23 km north west of the centre of Johannesburg

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/jnb
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/jnb.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: JNB
- **ICAO**: FAOR
- **Timezone**: Africa/Johannesburg
- **Runways**: 2
- **Terminals**: 5
- **Passengers**: 28M/yr
- **Hub for**: South African Airways
- **Official site**: https://www.airports.co.za/airports/ortambo-international-airport

## Overview

## Welcome

O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is a hub where domestic and international airside connections can be frustratingly clunky, yet it offers an unusually rich ecosystem of landside amenities that locals appreciate. Situated just 23 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg’s city center, JNB is less of a mere transit node and more of a mini city for South Africans. Travelers plan to linger, enjoy a meal, and perhaps even get some errands done between flights.

## At a glance

Handling 28 million passengers annually, O. R. Tambo, with five terminals (A, B, C, D, and E), serves as a major hub for South African Airways. It's equipped with essential amenities that serve travelers in various ways, ranging from the practical to the culinary. Parkade 1 costs R180 per day, while shaded parking options and car rental return zones offer additional convenience for car-bound passengers. For train travelers, the Gautrain service provides a fast link to Sandton, taking about 15 minutes and costing around R200 one way, inclusive of an airport supplement.

## Terminals & layout

Terminal A hosts British Airways, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and others, while Terminal B serves domestic carriers such as Kulula and FlySafair. Terminal E is primarily for airlines such as Airlink and South African Airways. Insider notes suggest that the terminals are often labeled as confusing, especially for travelers not used to the large but connected building, which might require some wandering to find services like the observation deck or certain lounges.

## Getting to and from the city

Multiple transport options connect JNB to Johannesburg and its suburbs. The Gautrain links the airport to Sandton in about 15 minutes at a cost of approximately R200 one way. Rideshares such as Uber and Bolt provide rides to central Johannesburg or Sandton in about 30–60 minutes, with costs ranging between R150 and R300 depending on traffic. Traditional metered taxis offer similar routes, but tend to be pricier, often costing R350–R500. For those staying near the airport, the City Lodge OR Tambo and InterContinental Johannesburg hotels are safe and easily walkable from arrivals and are ideal for avoiding late-night traffic.

## Traveller essentials

A local SIM is recommended before leaving the secure area, as airside kiosks and ATMs usually have shorter lines and better availability. For vehicle rentals, documenting pre-existing conditions is strongly advised due to reported disputes over damages.

## Dining & shopping highlights

The array of dining at JNB includes both well-known chain options and unique spots. Airport Craft Brewers in the international departures area is popular for trying South African beer in a relaxed setting. Options like Vida e Caffè, found in Terminal A, offer the most reliable coffee service. Big Five Duty-Free, while not the cheapest, is recommended for accessing South African wines and Amarula liqueur. For those flying domestically, it's advised to eat before clearing security as choices airside become limited and can be overcrowded at peak times.

## Lounges

JNB boasts a variety of lounges. The Shongololo Lounge in international departures, favored by Priority Pass members, is praised for its amenities including showers and a quieter atmosphere. The Ses'fikile Lounge offers a respite in the domestic section, especially during busy periods. Premium options like the South African Airways Lounge provide comfortable settings ahead of long-haul flights.

## Insider tips

- Insider: If connecting from international to domestic, give yourself 60-90 minutes to clear all procedures—it's a full border crossing.

- Time: Evening outgoing flights see swollen passport control lines; clear them early and enjoy the calm of the international side, post-security.

- Local: Arriving late? City Lodge OR Tambo offers safe and convenient accommodation directly connected to the terminal.

- Avoid: Ignore any taxi touts inside arrivals; use official apps like Uber/Bolt for a safer ride experience.

- Quiet: For Priority Pass holders, Shongololo Lounge in international departures is less hectic than others and offers showers.

- Money: South African wines and Amarula liqueur at Big Five Duty-Free are good value for gifting purposes.

- Time: Cut waiting time by buying a SIM card airside; landside shops often have long lines.

## Terminals (5)

- **Terminal A** — British Airways, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines
- **Terminal B** — Kulula, FlySafair
- **Terminal C**
- **Terminal D**
- **Terminal E** — Airlink, South African Airways

## Dining (24)

- **Airport Craft Brewers** — Domestic Airside
- **Anat** — B
- **Cascade Bar** — A
- **City Lodge Café**
- **Coffee & Cream** — A
- **Europa** — A
- **InterContinental Quills Restaurant**
- **Kauai** — B
- **KFC**
- **McDonald's**
- **Mugg & Bean**
- **Mugg & Bean On The Move**
- **Nando's**
- **News Cafe** — A
- **Ocean Basket** — A
- **Panarottis Pizza Pasta**
- **Salsas Mexican Grill**
- **Slow Lounge Bistro**
- **Spur**
- **Steers**
- **Vida e Caffè** — A
- **Wimpy**
- **Woolworths Café** — B
- **Yogurtland** — B

## Lounges (11)

- **Air France KLM Lounge** — International departures
- **Aspire Lounge** — International departures
- **Bidvest Premier Lounge** — International departures
- **British Airways Lounge** — International departures
- **Mashonzha Lounge** — International departures, Priority Pass
- **Menzies Shongololo Premium Lounge** — International departures
- **Premier Lounge** — E · Regional departures, Terminal E
- **Ses'fikile Lounge** — Domestic departures
- **Shongololo Lounge** — International departures, Priority Pass
- **SLOW Lounge** — Domestic departures, airline/Amex access
- **South African Airways Lounge** — Domestic departures

## Shops (19)

- **Africa Souvenir Shop** — A
- **American Swiss** — A
- **Big Five Duty Free** — A
- **Cape Union Mart** — B
- **Clicks** — B
- **CNA**
- **Dis-Chem**
- **Exclusive Books** — A
- **iStore** — A
- **Lindt** — A
- **MTN**
- **Out of Africa** — A
- **Out of the Blue** — A
- **Post Office**
- **Sunglass Hut** — A
- **Swarovski** — A
- **Vodacom**
- **Watches Unlimited** — A
- **Woolworths** — B

## Parking (10)

- **Car Rental Returns Parking** — Rental parking
- **Drop-off and Go** — Short-stay drop-off
- **Long Stay Parking** — Economy parking · ≈R180 for the first 3 days, then R45/day
- **Parkade 1** — Short-term parking · R180/day, 20/hr
- **Parkade 2 North** — Short-term parking · R220/day, 30/hr
- **Parkade 2 South** — Short-term parking · 30/hr
- **Parkade 3** — Multi-storey parking
- **Shaded Parking** — Long-term parking
- **Staff Parking** — Restricted parking
- **Valet Parking** — Premium parking · ≈R30–R40 with some third‑party valet providers/day

## Ground transport (14)

- **Airport Shuttle Services** — Shared shuttle · Often 30–60 min to Sandton/central hotels depending on traffic and number of stops · Trip reports mention typical private shuttle prices in the region of R350–R500 to Sandton (vehicle, not per person), with lower per‑person rates for shared shuttles · By reservation; some companies run frequent shared shuttles but schedules vary and are not standardized
- **Bazbus** — Backpacker bus
- **Bolt** — Rideshare · Roughly 30–60 min to Sandton/central Johannesburg depending on traffic · Frequently reported as slightly cheaper than Uber; roughly R150–R260 to Sandton/central Joburg depending on time · On‑demand 24/7, but vehicle availability varies by time of day
- **Citybug Shuttle** — Regional shuttle
- **Gautrain Airport Service** — Train · About 15 min JNB–Sandton in‑train; around 30–45 min door to door to central Sandton hotels · About R200 one‑way JNB–Sandton including airport supplement (adult) · Every 12–20 min in daytime; no 24/7 service and no late‑night trains
- **Gautrain Johannesburg Station Link** — Train · About 30–35 min total JNB–Sandton–Park in‑train time · Typically slightly more than JNB–Sandton alone due to added Sandton–Park segment (around R200–R250 total, depending on time of day) · Every 12–20 min in daytime on airport and Sandton–Park segments; not 24/7
- **Gautrain Pretoria Station Link** — Train · Roughly 45–60 min in‑train from JNB to Pretoria via Sandton, plus transfer time · Noted by travelers as more expensive than JNB–Sandton alone; often around R250–R300 total depending on station and time of day · Each leg (airport–Sandton and Sandton–Pretoria) roughly every 12–20 min in daytime; no late‑night or 24/7 operation
- **Greyhound Coach** — Intercity coach
- **HotelShuttle Johannesburg** — Hotel shuttle · Typically 5–15 min to nearby airport hotels; 30–45 min or more to Sandton hotels depending on traffic · Varies by hotel; some free, others charge a per‑person fee reported in reviews (e.g. R50–R100) · Often every 30–60 min for airport‑area hotels; early‑morning or late‑night runs may be less frequent or on request
- **Intercape** — Intercity coach
- **Kruger Shuttle** — Tourist coach · Often reported as 5–7 hours from OR Tambo to Kruger‑area lodges depending on route and stops · Typically once or twice daily depending on operator and route; not an on‑demand service
- **Metered Taxis** — Taxi · Around 30–60 min to Sandton or central Johannesburg depending on traffic · Reports suggest roughly R350–R500 to Sandton depending on negotiation and operator · Available throughout the day from the airport taxi rank; not formally scheduled but generally 24/7 coverage
- **Rea Vaya Feeder** — Bus
- **Uber** — Rideshare · About 30–60 min to Sandton or central Johannesburg depending on traffic · Often reported as around R180–R300 to central Sandton/Joburg depending on time and traffic · On‑demand 24/7, but wait times can lengthen during very late‑night or stormy conditions

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: If connecting from international to domestic, give yourself 60-90 minutes to clear all procedures—it's a full border crossing.
- _Time_: Evening outgoing flights see swollen passport control lines; clear them early and enjoy the calm of the international side, post-security.
- _Local_: Arriving late? City Lodge OR Tambo offers safe and convenient accommodation directly connected to the terminal.
- _Avoid_: Ignore any taxi touts inside arrivals; use official apps like Uber/Bolt for a safer ride experience.
- _Quiet_: For Priority Pass holders, Shongololo Lounge in international departures is less hectic than others and offers showers.
- _Money_: South African wines and Amarula liqueur at Big Five Duty-Free are good value for gifting purposes.
- _Time_: Cut waiting time by buying a SIM card airside; landside shops often have long lines.