Nov 16, 2015, 3:09 pm
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.
May 20, 2013, 10:59 pm
#136
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,657
It is always good practice to do this at Johannesburg, but if you are flying with an SAA-SAA connection AND you have been given both boarding passes at the origin point AND your bags have been checked through, then it is strictly speaking not neccesarily required as the transfer will be tracked at DCS level rather than BRS.
Jul 8, 2013, 1:18 pm
#139
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ORD, MKE
Programs: Bonvoy LT Gold, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 710
Guide to Connecting at JNB
Depending on gates, it is 15-30 min of walking for a healthy adult; adjust for your kids' pace. You will need to clear security and immigration, which could add 15-45 min, depending on crowds or time of day. 1:50 should be enough time.
Jul 10, 2013, 1:39 am
#140
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: United global services, BA gold,
Posts: 839
We will be flying from London to joburg in F class, them transferring to SAA in business class to windhoek. We have 2 1/2 hrs transfer time. Can we check our bags all he way through? Or do we need to collect in joburg. Can we get a boarding pass at BA in London for SAA? How will this connection work?
Thank you !
Thank you !
Jul 11, 2013, 10:30 am
#141
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
We will be flying from London to joburg in F class, them transferring to SAA in business class to windhoek. We have 2 1/2 hrs transfer time. Can we check our bags all he way through? Or do we need to collect in joburg. Can we get a boarding pass at BA in London for SAA? How will this connection work?
Thank you !
Thank you !
I can't imagine BA would issue SA boarding passes (could be wrong) but you can definitely do online check in for the SAA flight on their web site. Use the facilities in the Concorde Room to print them.
Jul 22, 2013, 9:32 am
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Platinum MM; DL Silver; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Hilton Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 24,249
I'm flying CDG-JNB on AF #990, scheduled to arrive at 09:50. I'd like to connect to BA (Comair) #6291, JNB-LVI, departing 11:00 the same day. I'll be arriving in business class and will only have carry-on bags (no checked luggage). The two tickets will be on separate PNRs. I understand that the international-to-international minimum connection time at JNB is 60 minutes. Is the 1:10 connection time doable/realistic?
Also, in the unfortunate event that I misconnect, there is an 11:25 flight on BA (Comair) #6285 from JNB-VFA. While I'd rather not fly to VFA (to avoid the Zimbabwe visa fee), if a delayed arrival of AF #990 causes me to miss the LVI flight, but leaves me with time to catch the 25-minute later departure to VFA, any chance BA would put me on the VFA flight?
Also, in the unfortunate event that I misconnect, there is an 11:25 flight on BA (Comair) #6285 from JNB-VFA. While I'd rather not fly to VFA (to avoid the Zimbabwe visa fee), if a delayed arrival of AF #990 causes me to miss the LVI flight, but leaves me with time to catch the 25-minute later departure to VFA, any chance BA would put me on the VFA flight?
Jul 22, 2013, 9:50 am
#143
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, FB Gold, Bonvoy Titanium / LTP, Accor Plat
Posts: 13,894
I'm flying CDG-JNB on AF #990, scheduled to arrive at 09:50. I'd like to connect to BA (Comair) #6291, JNB-LVI, departing 11:00 the same day. I'll be arriving in business class and will only have carry-on bags (no checked luggage). The two tickets will be on separate PNRs. I understand that the international-to-international minimum connection time at JNB is 60 minutes. Is the 1:10 connection time doable/realistic?
Personally, I'd be nervous about this timing, especially given separate PNRs and airlines.
Also, in the unfortunate event that I misconnect, there is an 11:25 flight on BA (Comair) #6285 from JNB-VFA. While I'd rather not fly to VFA (to avoid the Zimbabwe visa fee), if a delayed arrival of AF #990 causes me to miss the LVI flight, but leaves me with time to catch the 25-minute later departure to VFA, any chance BA would put me on the VFA flight?
Jul 28, 2013, 8:09 pm
#145
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Marcos, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum ; Hilton Gold; Hertz 5*, Delta DM. Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 215
Last summer we fly SAA from CPT-JNB arriving 5:10 PM for a 9:05 PM flight to JFK later that night. We had more than enough time. Barring an out of the ordinary delay you should have no problem with 3 hours to connect.
Jul 29, 2013, 8:50 am
#146
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,657
If the flights are on time, you should make it with about 2 hours to spare.
Jul 30, 2013, 7:14 am
#147
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 120
To through check bags or not to through check
Hi
Thanks for the invaluable information on this sticky - it's been really useful for me. It has given me a little bit of a dilemma though.
In September I'll be travelling AMS-LHR-JNB-WDH all with BA/Comair on one ticket. I have just short of 3 hours in Johannesburg if my flight is on time. Reading the detail here, it seems the advice is to avoid having to re-check bags where possible given that it can take ages to clear immigration and I will be arriving at peak time in the morning.
However, my tour operator, an African specialist, has recommended re-checking the bags in Johannesburg because in their experience, bags often fail to turn up on time where there is a flight connection.
My thinking now is to through check the luggage to avoid the immigration queue but also carry a few essential bits of clothing as hand luggage just in case the worst happens.
My only question is that I am in Windhoek for less than 24 hours. If my luggage was on the same JNB-WDH flight the next day, I will already have flown South. So would BA/Comair forward my luggage on to me or would they expect me to have to retrieve it in Windhoek? I'd be optimistic that Wilderness Safaris, would help out but I'd welcome comments from those that have been in this situation before.
Many thanks
Cheryl
Thanks for the invaluable information on this sticky - it's been really useful for me. It has given me a little bit of a dilemma though.
In September I'll be travelling AMS-LHR-JNB-WDH all with BA/Comair on one ticket. I have just short of 3 hours in Johannesburg if my flight is on time. Reading the detail here, it seems the advice is to avoid having to re-check bags where possible given that it can take ages to clear immigration and I will be arriving at peak time in the morning.
However, my tour operator, an African specialist, has recommended re-checking the bags in Johannesburg because in their experience, bags often fail to turn up on time where there is a flight connection.
My thinking now is to through check the luggage to avoid the immigration queue but also carry a few essential bits of clothing as hand luggage just in case the worst happens.
My only question is that I am in Windhoek for less than 24 hours. If my luggage was on the same JNB-WDH flight the next day, I will already have flown South. So would BA/Comair forward my luggage on to me or would they expect me to have to retrieve it in Windhoek? I'd be optimistic that Wilderness Safaris, would help out but I'd welcome comments from those that have been in this situation before.
Many thanks
Cheryl
Aug 3, 2013, 10:49 am
#148
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Cheryl, your question might find a better answer on the BA forum since it is (at least in part) BA specific.
For what it's worth I'll give my opinion even though I have no first hand experience. In JNB you have 2 risks with through-checking luggage - luggage failing to make the connection and luggage being interfered with. There's not much you can do about the first except allow enough time either to re-check the bags or for the bags to be transferred. Three hours should be ample for this. For the other risk make sure your bags are as tamper-proof as possible. At a minimum no zips that can be moved around.*
I think your strategy of carrying a few essentials and through-checking the rest is sound. I am pretty sure the Wilderness Safaris rep in Windhoek will see to it that your luggage is retrieved and forwarded on to you.
*Consider baggage wrapping. I bang on so often about the risks to bags being tampered with that I am sure many must think me excessively paranoid. But SA Express (a local airline affiliated with SAA) has just announced that they are offering their passengers a free baggage wrapping service for the next 3 months in order to reduce pilferage. They claim that baggage wrapping reduces pilferage by 70%.
For what it's worth I'll give my opinion even though I have no first hand experience. In JNB you have 2 risks with through-checking luggage - luggage failing to make the connection and luggage being interfered with. There's not much you can do about the first except allow enough time either to re-check the bags or for the bags to be transferred. Three hours should be ample for this. For the other risk make sure your bags are as tamper-proof as possible. At a minimum no zips that can be moved around.*
I think your strategy of carrying a few essentials and through-checking the rest is sound. I am pretty sure the Wilderness Safaris rep in Windhoek will see to it that your luggage is retrieved and forwarded on to you.
*Consider baggage wrapping. I bang on so often about the risks to bags being tampered with that I am sure many must think me excessively paranoid. But SA Express (a local airline affiliated with SAA) has just announced that they are offering their passengers a free baggage wrapping service for the next 3 months in order to reduce pilferage. They claim that baggage wrapping reduces pilferage by 70%.
Aug 5, 2013, 5:57 am
#149
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 120
Thanks Cheetah
I will definitely consider baggage wrapping. We will only have soft bags with us due to some of the smaller flights we'll be taking and they will have zips but we will padlock these. I won't be packing anything valuable though - never do.
I'll speak to our tour agent with regard to forwarding on luggage - it won't be the first time they've come across misplaced luggage.
Cheryl
I will definitely consider baggage wrapping. We will only have soft bags with us due to some of the smaller flights we'll be taking and they will have zips but we will padlock these. I won't be packing anything valuable though - never do.
I'll speak to our tour agent with regard to forwarding on luggage - it won't be the first time they've come across misplaced luggage.
Cheryl
Aug 8, 2013, 10:00 am
#150
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PARADISE
Programs: LOTS
Posts: 133
We're flying CPT-JNB with Comair followed by JNB-LHR with BA so we'll check our bags straight through. When we last did this there was a handy little transit check in upstairs in the domestic terminal at JNB. Does anyone know if it still exists?