OR Tambo International Airport
Explore The Real Johannesburg
O.R Tambo International Airport, formerly Johannesburg International Airport, lies 25kms. to the east of Johannesburg, and is Africa’s busiest, and biggest, airport.
It’s here where most who travel to this country, first touch the hallowed soil of Africa.
Originally built in 1952 and named Jan Smuts Airport, after the then South African statesman, the airport was renamed the Johannesburg International Airport in 1996, after the newly elected ANC Government introduced a policy of not naming airports after politicians.
10 years later the ANC Government had a change of policy, and in October 2006, as a tribute to Oliver Tambo who was President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1967 to 1991, the airport was officially renamed The OR Tambo International Airport

To help find your feet, this website gives details of the shops and services offered at the airport; Guest Houses, B&B’s and Backpacker accommodation as well as the numerous Johannesburg airport hotels in the vicinity and the car rental Johannesburg companies that operate out of the airport complex.
I’ve included links to help you find cheap flights to Johannesburg, for your African safari with links to carriers such as South African Airways and British Airways plus links to car rental companies such as Europcar, Budget and First Car.


TERMINALS
The airport has two terminals, and in line with international trends, Terminal A is used for international flights, while Terminal B is used for both international and domestic flights!
This allows those carriers with domestic and international routes, to use the same check-in counters.
It’s a very short walking distance, through the shopping mall, between the two terminals which are both housed in a long, narrow central terminal building.
Access to the terminal buildings is available around the clock, as the doors are open 24 hours, but a lot of the businesses inside, which keep to normal business hours, are not.
ARRIVALS :
The lower level in both terminals is used for arrivals.
Use this Airports Company of South Africa Live Flight Info link to see real time flight arrivals at OR Tambo International Airport (IATA Airport Code – JNB) . . .
. . . or this General Enquiries phone number +27 (0)11 921-6262
DEPARTURES :
The upper level in both terminals is used for departures.
International passengers are advised to be at the airport 3 hours before departure.
Domestic passengers are advised to be at the airport 1 and a half hours before departure.
DISABILITIES :
+27 (0)86 727-7888 : Persons with a disability, passing through OR Tambo, who require help, can phone this 24 hour number to arrange assistance.
Passengers who need help boarding, or disembarking, their plane, or need help with a wheelchair, should make arrangements with their airline before flying.
Car Parks :
There are disabled parking bays and manageable pay stations on all levels of the multi-storey car parks.
Outside the Terminals :
Disabled passengers can be dropped off, or picked up, at demarcated pick-up and drop-off zones outside both the international and domestic terminals.
This is a ‘no waiting’ area and cars will be removed if left unattended.
There is a short-term ‘pick up and go’ area opposite Terminal A.
Inside the Terminals :
There are disabled toilets throughout, people moving walkways, wheelchair ramps and adapted lifts (elevators) – some with braille signage, between floors.
Emergency medical treatment is available 24 hours.

GETTING AROUND
JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT CAR RENTAL
The Johannesburg airport car rental companies have their offices on Level 0 of the multi-level parkade (Parkade 2 South), just outside the main exit from Terminal A arrivals.
The rental vehicles, plus the kiosks for returning the vehicles, are one floor above, on Level 1 of the same parkade.
AIRPORT PARKING :
There plenty of parking to choose from, with over 11,000 Airport parking bays in underground and multi-storey parkades, shaded carports and low cost parking outside the airport complex.
ACCESS ROADS :
OR Tambo International Airport is on the R21 Highway (Toll), with fast, easy access to other major highways.
There is a lot of accommodation in the vicinity, and a relatively easy 45 minute drive to the hotels in the Sandton / Rosebank area.
Traffic can be very bad in Johannesburg, so take this into consideration when planning to use the highways.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT :
Johannesburg has very little public transport, and Private Airport Shuttle Services, the Gautrain, Uber and Metered Taxis form a major part of what’s available.
Private Airport Shuttle Service
There are a number of private airport shuttle services that do both pick ups and drop offs at OR Tambo International Airport.
I run a Tour Operator business and offer a meet-and-greet service in the Arrivals Hall, with a drop off at your front door.
I also offer a pickup from your front door, and drop off at your point of departure at OR Tambo International.
Landline : 011 788-6066
Mobile : 083 399-6778
Gautrain
The Gautrain Rapid Rail System, has a direct link from OR Tambo International Airport to Sandton Central, where passengers can change to the North-South Line to connect to Pretoria or Johannesburg.
Gautrain became operational on the 8th of June, 2010, and operates from 05h30 until 21h30 every day.
The terminal at the Airport is three levels above the Terminal A Arrivals hall, and accessed via a lift, or an escalator.
It is well signposted.
Uber
Uber is very popular in Johannesburg, but due to friction between them and metered taxis, their pick up is usually in the drop off area!
Check with your driver!
Metered Taxi
The metered taxis’, which display the ORIATA (OR Tambo International Airport Taxi Association) logo, stand outside the exits of both terminals. The airports company has, to prevent illegal touting, appointed them as a favoured service provider. Their contact number is : +27 (0)11 390-1502
Shuttle Bus
The shuttle bus terminal, which is situated behind the Intercontinantal Hotel, is where the hotel shuttle buses, as well as the long distance buses that service the airport, drop and collect passengers.

ACCOMMODATION
JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT HOTELS :
There are numerous Johannesburg Airport Hotels in the vicinity of the Airport, including the only luxury 5 star hotel at an airport in South Africa – the Intercontinental Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport Hotel.
The hotel is a short, uncovered walk across the service road from the terminal building.
Still in the airport complex is the very successful City Lodge.
Recently opened, this, their 46th and largest hotel, the City Lodge OR Tambo Airport Hotel is a short covered walk from the Terminal buildings.
Outside of the airport complex, but in close proximity to the airport, are a number of Johannesburg Airport Hotels.
Map of Airport Hotels :
This is a link to a Google map with the Johannesburg Airport Hotels.
Click on the “View Johannesburg Airport Accommodation in a larger map” at the bottom left of the map to get more information on each hotel.
GUESTHOUSES, B&B’s and BACKPACKERS :
These are a number of Bed and Breakfast/Guest House/Guest Lodge Accommodation as well as Backpackers, which I’ve attempted to name here.
Please let me know of any, if they haven’t been included in this list.
SURROUNDING SUBURBS :
The eastern suburbs are within an easy 20 minute drive.

SHOPPING
OR Tambo Intrnational Airport was rebuilt in the early 2000s, and now resembles a shopping mall, with a couple of runways added to make it feel like an airport – although it is modern, and relatively easy to get around.
ACCESSORIES
Due to the uncertainty caused by Covic-19, the ACCESSORIES details have been removed
AFRICAN SOUVENIRS
Due to Covid-19, we’re not sure about shops still selling AFRICAN SOUVENIRS, so have removed the info for now!
BOOKS and MUSIC
Uncertain info about BOOKS and MUSIC due to the pandemic, have been removed
CLOTHING and FOOTWEAR
The details about CLOTHING and FOOTWEAR, that should have been here, have been removed due to Covid-19 uncertainties
COSMETICS and PERFUME
We’re unsure about the correct COSMETICS and PERFUME information, so details have been removed until after the pandemic!
ELECTRONICS
Possibly inaccurate ELECTRONICS info has been removed due to Covid-19 chaos
FLOWERS
We’re not sure what’s happening with FLOWERS at OR Tambo International – due to the pandemic, so have removed the information for now
GIFTS
We’re unclear about what GIFTS shops could still surprise you – due to the pandemic, so have removed the info until post pandemic
JEWELLERY
We don’t know what JEWELLERY stores are still sparkling at OR Tambo International
LIQUOR and TOBACCO
Amidst the chaos caused by Covid-19, we’ve removed the info on the LIQUOR and TOBACCO outlets at OR Tambo International
LUGGAGE
We don’t know what happened to LUGGAGE outlets – due to the pandemic, so have cleared the info for now!
MASSAGE SERVICES
Not sure how accurate the MASSAGE SERVICES info is due to the pandemic, so have cleared it until post pandemic.
MOBILE PHONES
Three of the major Mobile Phone Service Providers, Vodacom, MTN and Cell C, have outlets at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg International Airport)
When you enter the Terminal A Arrivals Hall – after leaving the customs and immigration, the three shops are all just 50 metres, around the corner, on your right.
To buy a SIM card at any of the 3 shops, you’ll need your passport to show that you’ve just arrived in South Africa, and to buy a SIM card at Cell C, you’ll need proof of residence in South Africa.
All shops are open until 10pm.
SIM cards cost only few Rands.
You can buy your pay-as-you-go airtime and data at the same time, but you can top up both pay-as-you-go airtime and data at most fuel service stations, supermarkets etc.
These are the contact numbers for the Vodacom OR Tambo International Airport Shop, the MTN OR Tambo International Airport Shop and the Cell C OR Tambo International Airport Shop.
Vodacom OR Tambo International Airport Shop
+27 11 390-3989
MTN OR Tambo International Airport Shop
+27 83 869-6787
Cell C OR Tambo International Airport Shop
+27 84 828-0235
Mobile phone rental :
A Vodashop Rentaphone is on the first floor, above the Terminal A Arrivals Hall.
A Duty Free Vodashop Rentaphone is in the duty free shopping mall in departures, Terminal A.
PHARMACY
There are a number of PHARMACY changes taking place at the moment, so we have removed the information for now.
RESTAURANTS and PUBS
Due to Covi-19, we’re not sure which RESTAURANTS and PUBS are still operating, so have removed all information for the moment.
SPORTS and OUTDOOR
The retail outlets have been affected by Covid-19, so we’ve removed all SPORTS and OUTDOOR information until it returns to ‘normal’!
SWEETS and SNACKS
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SERVICES
OR Tambo International Airport was rebuilt in the early 2000s, and now resembles a shopping mall, with a couple of runways added to make it feel like an airport – although it is modern, and relatively easy to get around.
AIRLINES
This link takes you to ‘Cheap Flights to Johannesburg’ and the details of the airlines that fly into, and out of, OR Tambo International Airport
LUGGAGE : STORAGE and EXCESS BAGGAGE
There are two options for storing luggage – one at OR Tambo, and a second, off site.
i : A-teck operates at OR Tambo – down the escalators, and turn left – at the main exit of Terminal A arrivals, on Basement Level 1, going towards the Parkade 2 (South)
ii : Tour with Ease, a private company, offer baggage storage off site, in a secure environment.
To see more details about both these options, click here.
BANKING
NOTE! BANKS DO NOT DO FOREX TRANSACTIONS
See below for Foreign Exchange outlets at OR Tambo International Airport
BANKS : There are branches of First National Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank on the Mezzanine Level, one level up, directly above Arrivals Terminal A.
A branch of ABSA Bank is on the same level as Arrivals Terminal A, past the Foreign Exchange outlets, in the direction of Terminal B.
ABSA Bank also has an outlet in the holding lounge of the international departures terminal, but this is not for the use of South Africans.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are situated :
. . . at the banks mentioned above, one level up, directly above the Arrivals Terminal A, and on . . .
. . . level one of the shopping concourse in Terminal B.
To see more details about these Banks, click here.
CHRISTIAN CHAPEL
The interdenominational chapel at OR Tambo International Airport is at Basement Level, down the escalators in Terminal A, at the entrance to the underground parking.
The chapel is open 24 hours a day and has volunteer clerics in attendance at certain hours of the day.
Catholics have a celebration of Mass in the chapel every Sunday at 13:00.
For more details contact Fr. Arvin Tauro on 061 692-4270 or at carmelretreathouse.sa[at]gmail.com
CONFERENCE CENTRE
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DISABLED NEEDS
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FLIGHTCHECK
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FOREIGN EXCHANGE
These Foreign Exchange Outlets at OR Tambo International Airport are situated to the left when entering the Terminal A Arrivals Hall, in the direction of Terminal B :
American Express Foreign Exchange
Hours : 05h00-22h00 (5.00am-10.00pm) 7 days a week.
Bidvest Bank Foreign Exchange
Hours : 05h00-21h30 (5.00am-9.30pm) 7 days a week.
Inter Africa Bureau de Change
Hours : 05h30-21h30 (5.30am-9.30pm) 7 days a week.
Travelex Worldwide Money Foreign Exchange
Hours : 05h00-23h00 (5.00am-11.00pm) 7 days a week.
These Travelex Worldwide Money Foreign Exchange outlets are on the Airside of International Departures :
Travelex Worldwide Money Foreign Exchange : OR Tambo Airside Shop 1 : International Departures
Travelex Worldwide Money Foreign Exchange : OR Tambo Airside Shop 2 : International Departures
To see more deatils about these Forex Exchange outlets, click here.
INFORMATION DESK
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INTERNET Wi-Fi
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LOST PROPERTY
Contact your airline for items you’ve mislaid/lost at the check-in counter, the departure gate area or onboard the airplane.
For items lost inside the passenger terminal, contact the information counter, or the Helpdesk.
Tel. +27 (0)11 921-6262
e-mail : customercare@airports.co.za
MEDICAL CLINIC
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MOBILE PHONES
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MUSLIM PRAYER ROOM
There are two Muslim Prayer Rooms in the terminal building.
There is both a male and female Muslim Prayer Room, down the escalators from the main exit of Terminal A arrivals, on Basement Level 1, going towards the Parkade 2 (South).
There is a second male Muslim Prayer Room, on the third floor of the Lower Roof Offices, North Wing. It’s up a flight of stairs, near the last restaurant, at the northern end of the terminal.
PORTERS for LUGGAGE
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POST OFFICE
Post Office at OR Tambo International Airport
Monday-Friday : 07h00-21h00 (7.00am-9.00pm)
Public holidays, Saturday and Sunday : 07h00-20h00 (7.00am-8.00pm)
Mail collected daily at 16h00 (4.00pm)
Contact details :
Tel: +27 (0)11 975 2048
Fax: 011 394-6705
Send an E-Mail
The Post Office is just off the Terminal A International Arrivals Hall, past the Foreign Exchange dealers, in the direction of Terminal B.
Next Flight Service : Articles must weigh less than 2kgs to be put onto the first available flight.
Products and Services : Stamps; XPS (“on time, every time, door to door” deliveries of documents and packages); Speed Services; PX (lightweight, mini container for transporting consignments); 3rd Party Payments; Pay a Bill; e-Postal; Laminating; Banking; Money Transfer; Copying; Binding
To see more details about the Post Office at OR Tambo International Airport, click here . . .
RESTROOMS
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TRANSPORT
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VAT REFUNDS
For a buyer to claim VAT, the seller MUST be VAT registered, and the issued tax invoice MUST comply with the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme.
WHO CAN CLAIM A VAT REFUND?
Foreign visitors – who are non-resident foreign passport holders and permanently live in another country.
South African passport holders who are permanent residents in a foreign country, on a temporary visit to South Africa.
The above persons can claim back the 15% VAT they paid on any physical items bought in South Africa, if these goods are taken out of South Africa with them, when they leave.
WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING!
When you buy the item/s, you must tell the shop assistant that you’re a foreign visitor and you plan to claim the VAT you paid on your purchases, when leaving South Africa.
They MUST provide you with a TAX INVOICE for what you’ve just bought.
R5 000 : If you spend more than R5 000, your name and address MUST be included on the TAX INVOICE.
AT OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
When at OR Tambo International Airport, you must physically show the goods to the tax custom official BEFORE you check in for your flight.
Goods purchased that have a high value, such as jewellery, electronics, photographic equipment and watches, must be inspected by both customs and by the VAT office.
R10 000 : If you spend more than R10 000, you will need to show proof of payment when claiming back your VAT – this can a credit card receipt or something similar.
The inspection for customs is done before security and passport control.
The VAT office is in the duty free area, after immigration control.
VIEWING DECK
The airport has two Aircraft Viewing Decks :
• The one is up a short flight of stairs, a few floors directly above Terminal A arrivals
• The second is up a flight of stairs near the last restaurant at the northern end of the terminal.
It’s on the third floor of the Lower Roof Offices, North Wing.
I remember as a child the unobstructed view you had from the viewing deck, whereas the view from both of these is fairly limited!
The inside of the windows look as though they’re cleaned regularly, but not too sure about the outside.
When visiting both of the decks, the chairs were being used by workers/vagrants as beds, and I wasn’t able to sit and watch the goings-on!
Wi-Fi
.4 hours of FREE Wi-Fi or 1 GB/500MB of FREE data is available at OR Tambo International Airport, courtesy Airports Company South Africa
Select “# AIRPORTS FREE“, and follow the on screen instructions.
You need to register and provide your email address
If more is needed, a top-up, pay-as-you-go facility is available at “# AIRPORTS PREMIUM Wi-Fi”.
Once registered, you’ll be recognised each time you visit the airport
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AIRLINES
This link takes you to ‘Cheap Flights to Johannesburg’ and the details of the airlines that fly into, and out of, OR Tambo International Airport
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