Last edit by: B747-437B
Guide to JNB (Oliver R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa)
Welcome to the guide to JNB.
If your have any further questions that have not been answered after reading through, please do not hesitate to ask.
Bear in mind that the minimum connection times given below are the shortest connections allowed for tickets on a single PNR. It would be advisable to leave more time than this, particularly if you are arriving during the busy morning period. If you are travelling on two separate PNRs, add on at least an extra hour to the MCTs to allow for whatever delays the Travel Gods may throw at you.
Do note that procedures can change so this guide may not be accurate. If you notice anything has changed or there are any errors, just let me know.
International-Domestic Connection
Minimum connection time: 90 minutes
Once you have deplaned, simply follow the crowd to the immigration hall.
After going through passport control, you will need to collect your luggage and pass through customs irrespective of whether your bags have been tagged through to your final destination.
Exit into the public area and proceed up to departures level by way of the escalators which are opposite and to the left. The escalator can take trolleys.
If your bags have already been tagged through to your destination and you have your boarding passes for the onward domestic flight, you can use fast bag drop.
Otherwise you will need to check-in as normal.
Alternatively, you can use the baggage re-check desks on the left before exiting to the public area (NOTE : These are permanently closed now - Oct 2022).
If you would prefer to avoid the porters and taxi touts in the arrivals halls, there are escalators to the left of these desks which will take you to level 1. From there you will need to go up one more level to reach domestic departures. (NOTE : These escalators are out of service now - Oct 2022).
The domestic terminal is designated as a separate terminal (Terminal B) but do not be confused by this. All the terminals at JNB are under one roof so you barely notice that you are transferring between them.
Domestic-International Connection
If you can interline baggage, you can check it through from your initial departure point to your international destination. Once you land at JNB walk out to exit (ignore signs to go downstairs to baggage reclaim), keep walking through the shops/past the food court, around the atrium and there is a security/emigration point on your front right.
Please see post #106 for an illustrated guide.
[although there is no need to go up the moving walkway and then back down again - just come out of the domestic exit and keep walking straight on that level, which will bring you to the security/emigration point]
International-International Connection
Minimum connection time: 60 minutes
This is where things become a little more tricky.
If you arrive at a jetway, you will see a corridor heading towards International Transfers on the left just before the escalators down to passport control.
If you arrive at a remote stand and are bussed to the terminal, you will see the escalators on the left heading up to International Transfers as you enter the building.
Both these paths are well signposted and there is usually a staff member shouting out "International transit" and waving a sign to direct passengers.
When you go down the corridor, there is a transit immigration point before the transfer desks. Typically the wait here is 1-3 minutes, very much quicker than 'normal' immigration.
Your passport will be stamped with a "TRANSIT" stamp here even though you do not enter the country, and you must ensure that you have the required blank pages otherwise you may not be permitted to continue your transit and instead sent back to your originating point.
A few meters beyond the immigration checkpoint is the main transit information area which have desks for all the international airlines and handling agents.
If your bags have already been tagged through to your final destination, ensure that you give your connecting airline the tag numbers at this time so that they can verify them in their system.
If the tag numbers are not re-verified, they will not be loaded without manual intervention. This is not required if connecting from SAA to SAA flights however.
If your bags have not been tagged through, you will need to find a member of staff in International Transfers from your arriving airline.
Ask them to get one of their baggage services staff to pull your bags off the belt manually and coordinate with staff from your onward airline to retag them to your final destination.
This is a rather convoluted process and can take a long time.
Therefore, if your bags cannot be tagged all the way through, it is advisable to pass through immigration, collect your bags at baggage reclaim and clear customs.
After you clear customs but before you exit to the public area (the exit is a set of sliding doors on your right), you will see a series of baggage re-check desks on your left.
Proceed to these desks since they often have smaller queues and have your bags re-tagged.
Then head up the escalators to your left (do not exit the main doors into the public area) which emerge on the departures level.
Turn right when facing the Vodacom store and the departures security checkpoint is right in front of you.
You can do the entire transit and enter/exit South Africa in less than 5 minutes if your bags come out quickly.
If time permits, the safest option is to clear customs and re-check your bags as described above rather than rely on the interlining system at JNB.
Have a look at post #9 of this thread for pictures.
Originally posted by Ambassador BA304.
Luggage storage
This is taken from the whyjoburg.com web site (April 2016):
Welcome to the guide to JNB.
If your have any further questions that have not been answered after reading through, please do not hesitate to ask.
Bear in mind that the minimum connection times given below are the shortest connections allowed for tickets on a single PNR. It would be advisable to leave more time than this, particularly if you are arriving during the busy morning period. If you are travelling on two separate PNRs, add on at least an extra hour to the MCTs to allow for whatever delays the Travel Gods may throw at you.
Do note that procedures can change so this guide may not be accurate. If you notice anything has changed or there are any errors, just let me know.
International-Domestic Connection
Minimum connection time: 90 minutes
Once you have deplaned, simply follow the crowd to the immigration hall.
After going through passport control, you will need to collect your luggage and pass through customs irrespective of whether your bags have been tagged through to your final destination.
Exit into the public area and proceed up to departures level by way of the escalators which are opposite and to the left. The escalator can take trolleys.
If your bags have already been tagged through to your destination and you have your boarding passes for the onward domestic flight, you can use fast bag drop.
Otherwise you will need to check-in as normal.
Alternatively, you can use the baggage re-check desks on the left before exiting to the public area (NOTE : These are permanently closed now - Oct 2022).
If you would prefer to avoid the porters and taxi touts in the arrivals halls, there are escalators to the left of these desks which will take you to level 1. From there you will need to go up one more level to reach domestic departures. (NOTE : These escalators are out of service now - Oct 2022).
The domestic terminal is designated as a separate terminal (Terminal B) but do not be confused by this. All the terminals at JNB are under one roof so you barely notice that you are transferring between them.
Domestic-International Connection
If you can interline baggage, you can check it through from your initial departure point to your international destination. Once you land at JNB walk out to exit (ignore signs to go downstairs to baggage reclaim), keep walking through the shops/past the food court, around the atrium and there is a security/emigration point on your front right.
Please see post #106 for an illustrated guide.
[although there is no need to go up the moving walkway and then back down again - just come out of the domestic exit and keep walking straight on that level, which will bring you to the security/emigration point]
International-International Connection
Minimum connection time: 60 minutes
This is where things become a little more tricky.
If you arrive at a jetway, you will see a corridor heading towards International Transfers on the left just before the escalators down to passport control.
If you arrive at a remote stand and are bussed to the terminal, you will see the escalators on the left heading up to International Transfers as you enter the building.
Both these paths are well signposted and there is usually a staff member shouting out "International transit" and waving a sign to direct passengers.
When you go down the corridor, there is a transit immigration point before the transfer desks. Typically the wait here is 1-3 minutes, very much quicker than 'normal' immigration.
Your passport will be stamped with a "TRANSIT" stamp here even though you do not enter the country, and you must ensure that you have the required blank pages otherwise you may not be permitted to continue your transit and instead sent back to your originating point.
A few meters beyond the immigration checkpoint is the main transit information area which have desks for all the international airlines and handling agents.
If your bags have already been tagged through to your final destination, ensure that you give your connecting airline the tag numbers at this time so that they can verify them in their system.
If the tag numbers are not re-verified, they will not be loaded without manual intervention. This is not required if connecting from SAA to SAA flights however.
If your bags have not been tagged through, you will need to find a member of staff in International Transfers from your arriving airline.
Ask them to get one of their baggage services staff to pull your bags off the belt manually and coordinate with staff from your onward airline to retag them to your final destination.
This is a rather convoluted process and can take a long time.
Therefore, if your bags cannot be tagged all the way through, it is advisable to pass through immigration, collect your bags at baggage reclaim and clear customs.
After you clear customs but before you exit to the public area (the exit is a set of sliding doors on your right), you will see a series of baggage re-check desks on your left.
Proceed to these desks since they often have smaller queues and have your bags re-tagged.
Then head up the escalators to your left (do not exit the main doors into the public area) which emerge on the departures level.
Turn right when facing the Vodacom store and the departures security checkpoint is right in front of you.
You can do the entire transit and enter/exit South Africa in less than 5 minutes if your bags come out quickly.
If time permits, the safest option is to clear customs and re-check your bags as described above rather than rely on the interlining system at JNB.
Have a look at post #9 of this thread for pictures.
Originally posted by Ambassador BA304.
Luggage storage
This is taken from the whyjoburg.com web site (April 2016):
BagPort South Africa, the original company that provided a luggage storage service at OR Tambo International Airport, has changed its name.
It now operates as Ateck - from the same premises down the escalators at the main exit of Terminal A arrivals, on Basement Level 1, going towards the Parkade 2 (South).
Costs are : (NB : CASH ONLY! No Cards Accepted.)
0-5 hours: R70.00
6-12 hours: R80.00
12-24 hours: R90.00
24 hours or more: R90.00 per day.
Open 24 hours, every day of the year.
Contact details :
Tel : +27 (11) 390 2689
http://www.a-teck.co.za/or-tambo-airport-store-teck/
It now operates as Ateck - from the same premises down the escalators at the main exit of Terminal A arrivals, on Basement Level 1, going towards the Parkade 2 (South).
Costs are : (NB : CASH ONLY! No Cards Accepted.)
0-5 hours: R70.00
6-12 hours: R80.00
12-24 hours: R90.00
24 hours or more: R90.00 per day.
Open 24 hours, every day of the year.
Contact details :
Tel : +27 (11) 390 2689
http://www.a-teck.co.za/or-tambo-airport-store-teck/
JNB / Johannesburg Airport - Connections, Facilities, Layovers, etc.
#526
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bali
Posts: 261
10 hour layover in JNB
Flying into JNB at around 7:00AM. Final destination is CPT on Comair but that flight isn't departing until 5:00PM. Plan is to pick up a rental car and visit some sights (Apartheid Museum, and either Cradle of Humankind or Soweto) during the layover.
Some (ok, lots of) questions:
Can I recheck my bags (probably three or four pieces) through to CPT at the BA counter before picking up the rental car (not sure if BA opens check that early for an afternoon flight)?
I also recall some concerns about the safety of checked baggage on long-ish layovers at JNB in the past (although I never experienced any problems on my previous trip). Is this still a concern?
Any particular shops to recommend at JNB where I can buy a SIM card (probably Vodacom) with a data plan on arrival? Will the shops be open that early? I'm hoping to pick up the car rental as early as 8:00AM.
How much time should I allocate for returning the car rental (from Avis) and getting back into the terminal for my flight?
Last time I flew domestically in South Africa, I could carry liquids past security. is that still the case?
Thanks!
Some (ok, lots of) questions:
Can I recheck my bags (probably three or four pieces) through to CPT at the BA counter before picking up the rental car (not sure if BA opens check that early for an afternoon flight)?
I also recall some concerns about the safety of checked baggage on long-ish layovers at JNB in the past (although I never experienced any problems on my previous trip). Is this still a concern?
Any particular shops to recommend at JNB where I can buy a SIM card (probably Vodacom) with a data plan on arrival? Will the shops be open that early? I'm hoping to pick up the car rental as early as 8:00AM.
How much time should I allocate for returning the car rental (from Avis) and getting back into the terminal for my flight?
Last time I flew domestically in South Africa, I could carry liquids past security. is that still the case?
Thanks!
Last edited by mileagerunner; Dec 16, 2016 at 10:51 pm
#527
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,267
Flying into JNB at around 7:00AM. Final destination is CPT on Comair but that flight isn't departing until 5:00PM. Plan is to pick up a rental car and visit some sights (Apartheid Museum, and either Cradle of Humankind or Soweto) during the layover.
Some (ok, lots of) questions:
Can I recheck my bags (probably three or four pieces) through to CPT at the BA counter before picking up the rental car (not sure if BA opens check that early for an afternoon flight)?
I also recall some concerns about the safety of checked baggage on long-ish layovers at JNB in the past (although I never experienced any problems on my previous trip). Is this still a concern?
Any particular shops to recommend at JNB where I can buy a SIM card (probably Vodacom) with a data plan on arrival? Will the shops be open that early? I'm hoping to pick up the car rental as early as 8:00AM.
How much time should I allocate for returning the car rental (from Avis) and getting back into the terminal for my flight?
Last time I flew domestically in South Africa, I could carry liquids past security. is that still the case?
Thanks!
Some (ok, lots of) questions:
Can I recheck my bags (probably three or four pieces) through to CPT at the BA counter before picking up the rental car (not sure if BA opens check that early for an afternoon flight)?
I also recall some concerns about the safety of checked baggage on long-ish layovers at JNB in the past (although I never experienced any problems on my previous trip). Is this still a concern?
Any particular shops to recommend at JNB where I can buy a SIM card (probably Vodacom) with a data plan on arrival? Will the shops be open that early? I'm hoping to pick up the car rental as early as 8:00AM.
How much time should I allocate for returning the car rental (from Avis) and getting back into the terminal for my flight?
Last time I flew domestically in South Africa, I could carry liquids past security. is that still the case?
Thanks!
2. The longer your luggage rests in the catacombs of OR Tambo airport, the bigger the chance that the temptation gets to big for a baggage handler. As an absolute minimum, have your baggage wrapped before check in. There are several wrapping stations in the departures hall.
3. There are a few Vodacom shops at the airport. There must be one at the Mezzanine (i e below the departures check in level). I would be surprised if they were not open at 8, but not 100% sure.
4. Returning the car to Avis is very quick, you just park it in the line indicated and give the keys to the attendant. If you are at the airport an hour and a bit before departure you should be fine. Beware that traffic towards the airport can be heavy.
5. Yes, you can still take liquids through domestic security (at least, that was the case late October when I last did this).
#528
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bali
Posts: 261
1. As far as I am aware, you can check in for any BA flight during the same day. But:
2. The longer your luggage rests in the catacombs of OR Tambo airport, the bigger the chance that the temptation gets to big for a baggage handler. As an absolute minimum, have your baggage wrapped before check in. There are several wrapping stations in the departures hall.
3. There are a few Vodacom shops at the airport. There must be one at the Mezzanine (i e below the departures check in level). I would be surprised if they were not open at 8, but not 100% sure.
4. Returning the car to Avis is very quick, you just park it in the line indicated and give the keys to the attendant. If you are at the airport an hour and a bit before departure you should be fine. Beware that traffic towards the airport can be heavy.
5. Yes, you can still take liquids through domestic security (at least, that was the case late October when I last did this).
2. The longer your luggage rests in the catacombs of OR Tambo airport, the bigger the chance that the temptation gets to big for a baggage handler. As an absolute minimum, have your baggage wrapped before check in. There are several wrapping stations in the departures hall.
3. There are a few Vodacom shops at the airport. There must be one at the Mezzanine (i e below the departures check in level). I would be surprised if they were not open at 8, but not 100% sure.
4. Returning the car to Avis is very quick, you just park it in the line indicated and give the keys to the attendant. If you are at the airport an hour and a bit before departure you should be fine. Beware that traffic towards the airport can be heavy.
5. Yes, you can still take liquids through domestic security (at least, that was the case late October when I last did this).
#529
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 20
Can anyone comment on the Kulula to BA transfer at JNB? I'm looking at a BA itin, the return would be WDH-JNB-LHR with WDH-JNB operated by Kulula as Comair...Will they be able to check bags thru? Will Kulula be able to check me in all the way thru and issue boarding passes? Will I need to go thru immigration and/or security again in JNB? I would only have about 2 hours and have only ever heard ...... things about JNB so am a bit worried...
#530
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,533
Can anyone comment on the Kulula to BA transfer at JNB? I'm looking at a BA itin, the return would be WDH-JNB-LHR with WDH-JNB operated by Kulula as Comair...Will they be able to check bags thru? Will Kulula be able to check me in all the way thru and issue boarding passes? Will I need to go thru immigration and/or security again in JNB? I would only have about 2 hours and have only ever heard ...... things about JNB so am a bit worried...
#531
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 71
Hi!
I will travel in SA next week for 14 days. Do you know if any shops in JNB OR Tambo airport rent 4G devices so that I could have data on my phone without using the international roaming datas of my phone company (that isobscenely high priced!).
Thank you!
I will travel in SA next week for 14 days. Do you know if any shops in JNB OR Tambo airport rent 4G devices so that I could have data on my phone without using the international roaming datas of my phone company (that isobscenely high priced!).
Thank you!
#532
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: YVR
Posts: 52
Forgive me if this has been addressed.
Later this year I am flying CPT-JNB-HKG-LAX. The first leg is on Comair on a separate PNR than JNB-HKG-LAX (Cathay). I've got two options to get from CPT to JNB with one arriving at 09:00 and the other at 11:00am. My Cathay flight is at 12:30 pm. I will have checked luggage for all legs.
A few questions:
1) Would you suggest an arrival in JNB at 09:00 or 11:00 to make the 12:30 flight?
2) Will I be required to collect and then re-check luggage in JNB?
Thanks!
Later this year I am flying CPT-JNB-HKG-LAX. The first leg is on Comair on a separate PNR than JNB-HKG-LAX (Cathay). I've got two options to get from CPT to JNB with one arriving at 09:00 and the other at 11:00am. My Cathay flight is at 12:30 pm. I will have checked luggage for all legs.
A few questions:
1) Would you suggest an arrival in JNB at 09:00 or 11:00 to make the 12:30 flight?
2) Will I be required to collect and then re-check luggage in JNB?
Thanks!
Last edited by Afta-Noon; Jan 22, 2017 at 5:09 pm
#534
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
Forgive me if this has been addressed.
Later this year I am flying CPT-JNB-HKG-LAX. The first leg is on Comair on a separate PNR than JNB-HKG-LAX (Cathay). I've got two options to get from CPT to JNB with one arriving at 09:00 and the other at 11:00am. My Cathay flight is at 12:30 pm. I will have checked luggage for all legs.
A few questions:
1) Would you suggest an arrival in JNB at 09:00 or 11:00 to make the 12:30 flight?
2) Will I be required to collect and then re-check luggage in JNB?
Thanks!
Later this year I am flying CPT-JNB-HKG-LAX. The first leg is on Comair on a separate PNR than JNB-HKG-LAX (Cathay). I've got two options to get from CPT to JNB with one arriving at 09:00 and the other at 11:00am. My Cathay flight is at 12:30 pm. I will have checked luggage for all legs.
A few questions:
1) Would you suggest an arrival in JNB at 09:00 or 11:00 to make the 12:30 flight?
2) Will I be required to collect and then re-check luggage in JNB?
Thanks!
#535
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,267
Arrive at 9:00. Three and a half hours is a long time to keep 'spare' for eventualities. The CPT-JNB route is not often late and if it is, it would be half an hour or so.
And for a 12:30 departure the queues at the outward immigration desks should not be that bad.
Of course sh*t happens, but you cant 'insure' yourself against everything!
#536
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
#537
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
I'm sorry, but I think that is a bit over the top.
Arrive at 9:00. Three and a half hours is a long time to keep 'spare' for eventualities. The CPT-JNB route is not often late and if it is, it would be half an hour or so.
And for a 12:30 departure the queues at the outward immigration desks should not be that bad.
Of course sh*t happens, but you cant 'insure' yourself against everything!
Arrive at 9:00. Three and a half hours is a long time to keep 'spare' for eventualities. The CPT-JNB route is not often late and if it is, it would be half an hour or so.
And for a 12:30 departure the queues at the outward immigration desks should not be that bad.
Of course sh*t happens, but you cant 'insure' yourself against everything!
#538
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,229
CPT-JNB is a route where I would be extremely comfortable taking the flight arriving at 9; actually, I would choose one of the later flights, ignoring any alliance benefits.
#539
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
If it goes tech or gets cancelled, you buy a ticket on one of the other 6 or 7 flights CPT-JNB which would arrive by 11am (which ime would still be enough time to catch the onward).
CPT-JNB is a route where I would be extremely comfortable taking the flight arriving at 9; actually, I would choose one of the later flights, ignoring any alliance benefits.
CPT-JNB is a route where I would be extremely comfortable taking the flight arriving at 9; actually, I would choose one of the later flights, ignoring any alliance benefits.
#540
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: YVR
Posts: 52
I'm sorry, but I think that is a bit over the top.
Arrive at 9:00. Three and a half hours is a long time to keep 'spare' for eventualities. The CPT-JNB route is not often late and if it is, it would be half an hour or so.
And for a 12:30 departure the queues at the outward immigration desks should not be that bad.
Of course sh*t happens, but you cant 'insure' yourself against everything!
Arrive at 9:00. Three and a half hours is a long time to keep 'spare' for eventualities. The CPT-JNB route is not often late and if it is, it would be half an hour or so.
And for a 12:30 departure the queues at the outward immigration desks should not be that bad.
Of course sh*t happens, but you cant 'insure' yourself against everything!