OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) Guide 2026
OR Tambo International Airport (IATA: JNB, ICAO: FAOR) is Africa's busiest airport and the main gateway to South Africa. Located in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, 24 km east of Johannesburg, it handles over 21 million passengers annually. Named after Oliver Reginald Tambo, the former president of the African National Congress, the airport serves as the primary hub for South African Airways and a major connecting point for travel across the African continent.
Airport Overview
| IATA Code | JNB |
| Location | Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng |
| Distance to City Centre | 24 km to Johannesburg CBD, 21 km to Sandton |
| Terminals | 2 (Terminal A — International, Terminal B — Domestic) |
| Annual Passengers | ~21.6 million |
| Runways | 2 (4,418m and 3,400m) |
| Operator | Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) |
| Elevation | 1,694 metres (5,558 ft) |
Getting There & Away
| Transport | Destination | Cost (ZAR) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gautrain | Sandton | R185 | 15 min | Fast, safe, reliable. Runs 5:30am-8:30pm |
| Gautrain | Rosebank | R185 | 19 min | Change at Sandton or direct |
| Gautrain | Pretoria | R205 | 40 min | Direct service to Hatfield |
| Airport Taxi | Sandton | R400-600 | 25-45 min | Metered taxi rank at arrivals |
| Uber/Bolt | Sandton | R200-350 | 25-45 min | Pick-up at designated areas |
| Airport Taxi | Johannesburg CBD | R350-500 | 30-50 min | Traffic dependent |
| Uber/Bolt | Johannesburg CBD | R180-300 | 30-50 min | Cheapest taxi option |
| Car Hire | Self-drive | R350-1,200/day | N/A | Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Tempest |
Gautrain Recommendation: The Gautrain is by far the best option — fast, safe, and affordable. The station is connected to Terminal A via a covered walkway. Buy a Gold Card at the station (R50 deposit, refundable). Gautrain buses connect from Sandton station to surrounding areas.
Terminal Facilities
Terminal A (International)
- Lounges: SLOW Lounge, Bidvest Premier Lounge, SAA Baobab Lounge, Star Alliance Lounge, Emirates Lounge
- Food & Drink: Mugg & Bean, Wimpy, Ocean Basket, Nando's, Steers, craft beer bars, Vida e Caffe
- Shopping: Extensive duty-free, Out of Africa, Diamond Works, Woolworths, books, South African crafts
- WiFi: Free WiFi throughout (good speed)
- Charging Points: Available at gates and in lounges
- ATMs: ABSA, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank, Capitec
- Pharmacy: Dis-Chem pharmacy in arrivals
- Money Transfer: Forex bureaux, Travelex
Terminal B (Domestic)
- Serves domestic airlines: FlySafair, Airlink, CemAir
- Similar food and retail options to Terminal A
- Connected to Terminal A via covered walkway (10 minutes)
Immigration & Visa on Arrival
South Africa has a generous visa-free policy for many nationalities:
- Visa-Free (90 days): UK, EU countries, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- Visa-Free (30 days): Most SADC countries, India (under e-visa pilot), Japan, Brazil
- Visa Required: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, Bangladesh — apply at embassy before travel
Required documents on arrival:
- Valid passport (2+ blank pages, 30+ days validity beyond departure)
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation
- Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from an endemic country)
Queue Times: Immigration can take 30-60 minutes during peak hours (multiple long-haul arrivals 6-9am). Use the e-gates if you are a South African passport holder or eligible foreign national.
Children: South Africa requires an unabridged birth certificate for children under 18. This rule is strictly enforced.
Customs & Declaration
- Currency: Up to ZAR 25,000 in cash; foreign currency equivalent of US$10,000 without declaration
- Alcohol: 1 litre spirits, 2 litres wine, 1 litre other alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, 250g pipe tobacco
- Gifts: Up to R5,000 in value (R50,000 for returning residents)
- Prohibited: Narcotics, counterfeit goods, pornography, firearms without permit, ivory
- Agricultural: Strict quarantine on fresh food, plants, seeds, meat products
Currency Exchange & SIM Cards
Currency Exchange
- Forex Bureaux: Travelex, American Express, Bidvest — available in arrivals and departures
- ATMs: ABSA, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank dispense ZAR; international cards widely accepted
- Tap to Pay: Contactless payment widely accepted throughout South Africa
- Tip: South Africa is card-friendly; you may not need much cash except for tips and informal traders
SIM Cards & Data
| Operator | SIM Cost | 1GB Data | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | R5 | R99 | Best nationwide coverage |
| MTN | R5 | R99 | Excellent urban and rural |
| Cell C | R5 | R69 | Good in cities |
| Telkom Mobile | R5 | R69 | Good data deals, cities |
RICA registration is required for South African SIMs. Airport shops handle this with your passport in 10 minutes. Vodacom and MTN stores are in the arrivals hall.
Airlines Operating at OR Tambo
| Airline | Destinations | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | London Heathrow | A |
| Emirates | Dubai | A |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | A |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | A |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | A |
| KLM | Amsterdam | A |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt | A |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore | A |
| Air France | Paris CDG | A |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi | A |
| South African Airways | Multiple international and domestic | Both |
| FlySafair | Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, George | B |
| Airlink | Domestic + regional | B |
| CemAir | Domestic routes | B |
Accommodation Near the Airport
At/Near Airport
- City Lodge at OR Tambo — On-site, walking distance from terminal, ideal for layovers (R1,200-2,000/night)
- InterContinental Johannesburg OR Tambo — Connected to terminal via walkway (R2,500-4,500/night)
- Protea Hotel by Marriott OR Tambo — 2 km, free shuttle (R1,100-1,800/night)
Sandton (21 km)
- Sandton Sun & Towers — Near Gautrain station, premier business hotel (R2,000-3,500/night)
- Garden Court Sandton — Good value, near Gautrain (R900-1,500/night)
- Road Lodge Sandton — Budget, clean and reliable (R500-800/night)
Tips for Travellers
Arrival Tips
- Take the Gautrain to Sandton or Rosebank — it is the safest and fastest option
- Use the Uber/Bolt pick-up zones (clearly marked); avoid unmarked taxis
- Johannesburg is at 1,700m altitude — you may feel slight breathlessness initially
- Download Uber and Bolt before arrival — they are the primary transport apps
- Do not display expensive electronics or jewellery in the arrivals hall
Departure Tips
- Arrive 3 hours before international flights
- Duty-free shopping is excellent — South African wine, biltong, rooibos tea make great gifts
- The SAA/SLOW lounges are excellent for long waits
- Check-in online to save time at the airport
Transit Tips
- OR Tambo is the main hub for connections across Africa
- Transit passengers do not need a South African visa if staying airside
- Allow at least 2-3 hours for international-to-international connections
- Allow 3+ hours for international-to-domestic connections (terminal change required)
Frequently Asked Questions
The Gautrain is the best option: R185 to Sandton (15 min) or R205 to Pretoria (40 min). Uber/Bolt costs R200-350 to Sandton (25-45 min depending on traffic). Airport taxis are R400-600 to Sandton. The Gautrain runs 5:30am-8:30pm.
Many nationalities enter visa-free: UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia (90 days). Some African countries need visas — check our visa page. All visitors need a passport with 2+ blank pages and 30+ days validity beyond departure.
The airport is safe with extensive security. Use Gautrain, registered taxis, or Uber/Bolt. Avoid displaying expensive items, use ATMs inside the terminal, and do not accept help from unofficial porters or guides approaching you in the arrivals hall.
Yes, free WiFi is available throughout both terminals with reasonable speed for browsing and messaging. Premium WiFi is available in airline lounges.
R185 one-way, 15-minute journey. You need a Gautrain Gold Card (R50 deposit, refundable) purchased at the station. Trains run every 12-20 minutes. The Gautrain station is connected to Terminal A via a covered walkway.