Your Complete Guide to
OR Tambo International

Everything you need before, during, and after your flight through Africa's busiest airport — car hire, hotel bookings, transfers, parking, visas and a live flight board, all in one place.

Explore Services ✈ Live Flight Board
28M+
Passengers per Year
140+
Destinations
6
Terminals
#1
Airport in Africa
24/7
Operations
All Airport Services

Everything You Need at JNB

From car hire desks in the arrivals hall to hotels 500 metres away — here's every service you need for a seamless Johannesburg airport experience.

10 Companies On-Site

Car Hire at OR Tambo

Compare rates from Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Bidvest and 6 more. All desks in arrival halls — drive away the moment you land. Pre-book for savings of up to 40%.

Gautrain · Shuttles · Uber

Airport Transfers

Reach Sandton in 15 minutes by Gautrain for R200, or book a door-to-door private shuttle to Pretoria, Soweto, or any hotel in Johannesburg from R350.

11 Parking Zones

Airport Parking

Short stay, long stay, premium and pre-booked options from R35/hour to R55/day. Pre-book online to save up to 30% and guarantee your bay — especially important during school holidays.

3 Hotels Within 500m

Airport Hotels

InterContinental (5★ connected walkway), Southern Sun (4★ 2 min), and Holiday Inn (4★ 5 min). All include complimentary 24-hour shuttle service and free Wi-Fi.

30+ Exempt Countries

Visa Requirements

Check if your nationality needs a South Africa visa, what documents to prepare, application fees, processing times, and the complete list of visa-exempt countries.

Terminals · Lounges · Shops

About the Airport

Terminal guide, airport lounges, duty-free, restaurants, medical clinic, currency exchange, history and everything else you need to know about life inside OR Tambo.

Live Flight Information

Today's OR Tambo
Flight Board

Sample schedule for OR Tambo International Airport. For real-time departures and arrivals, consult the ACSA official website or the dynamic display boards throughout all terminals.

Terminal Quick Reference
A
International Departures — check-in, duty-free, immigration outbound
B
International Arrivals — immigration, customs, baggage, Gautrain
C
Domestic — SAA, Comair / British Airways domestic flights
D
Domestic LCC — FlySafair, Kulula, Lift and other budget airlines
Africa's #1 Airport

Why Millions Choose
OR Tambo

OR Tambo International has been Africa's busiest and most-connected airport for over a decade, serving as the continent's primary gateway to every major global hub. Its position at 1,694 metres above sea level in the Highveld gives pilots some of the world's most technically demanding take-off and landing conditions — and travellers some of the most dramatic skylines.

Named in honour of anti-apartheid activist Oliver Reginald Tambo in 2006, the airport reflects South Africa's democratic transformation while standing as a symbol of the continent's growing economic power.

Ranked #1 in Africa 10+ consecutive years Consistently rated Africa's best-connected airport by IATA and Skytrax, with the broadest network of direct intercontinental routes.
140+ destinations across 6 continents Served by 46 international and 5 domestic airlines, including Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Delta, and South African Airways.
World-class retail and dining Over 140 retail stores and 40+ food and beverage outlets including Ocean Basket, Nando's, Woolworths Food, Mugg & Bean, and international duty-free brands.
Gautrain rapid rail inside the terminal The only major African airport with a dedicated rapid rail connection to the city — Sandton in 15 minutes, Pretoria in 40 minutes.
1952
Airport Founded
(as Jan Smuts)
28M+
Passengers
Per Year
46
Airlines
Serving JNB
4.4km
Main Runway
Length
"Gateway to Africa and the World"
OR Tambo connects South Africa to every major global hub across 6 continents
Getting Around

Transfer Options from OR Tambo

Four main transport options, each suited to different budgets, group sizes and destinations. The Gautrain is fastest; private shuttles are most flexible.

Gautrain

Sandton
R200
per person · 15 min
  • ✓ Fastest option
  • ✓ Inside terminal
  • ✓ Runs 05:30–00:00
  • ✓ No surge pricing
Details →

Private Shuttle

Anywhere in Gauteng
R350+
per vehicle · door-to-door
  • ✓ Door-to-door service
  • ✓ 24/7 availability
  • ✓ Groups & luggage
  • ✓ Pre-bookable
Book Shuttle →

Uber / Bolt

Sandton
R180+
per ride · Level 0, P2
  • ✓ App-based booking
  • ✓ Often cheapest
  • ✓ Level 0, P2 pick-up
  • ✓ No cash needed
Details →

Metered Taxi

JHB CBD
R350+
per ride · Arrivals rank
  • ✓ Available 24/7
  • ✓ Metered fare
  • ✓ Arrivals Hall rank
  • ✓ No pre-booking
All Options →
Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About OR Tambo Airport

Quick answers to the most common traveller questions about JNB airport.

What is the IATA code for OR Tambo International Airport?

The IATA code is JNB and the ICAO code is FAOR. OR Tambo International Airport is in Kempton Park, Gauteng, approximately 25 km east of Johannesburg CBD and 50 km from Pretoria.

How do I get from OR Tambo to Sandton by Gautrain?

The Gautrain station is inside the OR Tambo terminal — follow the blue signs from Arrivals. Purchase a Gautrain card at the machines, load R200, and take the direct train to Sandton (no changes required). The journey takes approximately 15 minutes. Trains run every 12 minutes during peak hours (06:00–09:00 and 16:00–19:00) and every 20–30 minutes off-peak. The last train runs at approximately midnight.

How much does parking cost at OR Tambo Airport?

Parking rates depend on the zone: the short-stay P1 Basement starts at R35 for the first hour; long-stay P3 costs R80/day; premium covered P4 costs R130/day. Pre-booking the P5 zone online at least 12 hours in advance brings the daily rate down to as low as R55/day — a saving of up to 30%.

Is there free Wi-Fi at OR Tambo Airport?

Yes — free Wi-Fi ("ACSA Free Wi-Fi") is available throughout all terminals. The complimentary tier gives you 30 minutes of browsing per session. Paid unlimited day passes are available for R30 through the captive portal. The network is generally reliable but can slow during peak travel periods.

How early should I arrive at OR Tambo Airport?

Arrive 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights. Allow an extra 30–45 minutes during December holidays, Easter, and school break periods when queues at check-in and immigration can be significantly longer. Popular routes to London, Dubai, and Frankfurt can have lengthy immigration queues on departure.

Do UK and US citizens need a visa for South Africa?

No. Citizens of the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and most EU countries do not require a visa for tourism or business visits of up to 90 days. You will need a valid passport with at least 30 days of validity beyond your departure date and a minimum of two blank pages. Citizens of India, China, Nigeria and Pakistan do need a visa — apply in advance from your nearest South African embassy.

Can I sleep overnight at OR Tambo Airport?

Yes, OR Tambo operates 24/7 and is safe for overnight transit. The International Terminal has seating areas open all night. For a more comfortable rest, the InterContinental Hotel is directly connected by a walkway, and the Southern Sun is a 2-minute shuttle ride away. The airport also has a dedicated rest zone near Terminal A with reclining seating for transit passengers.