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.
#361
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,235
Hi All.
I am on a Qatar flight arriving 08:55am into JNB and would like to take the Commair flight to VFA at 11:25am which is the only normal option I could find that day.
Is this advisable?
I am travelling with Hand baggage only, so I don't need to collect any suitcases.
Do the 2 airlines use the same terminal so will it be a quick transfer?
And does the Qatar flight from Doha leaving at 01:25am normally leave and arrive on time?
Thanks.
I am on a Qatar flight arriving 08:55am into JNB and would like to take the Commair flight to VFA at 11:25am which is the only normal option I could find that day.
Is this advisable?
I am travelling with Hand baggage only, so I don't need to collect any suitcases.
Do the 2 airlines use the same terminal so will it be a quick transfer?
And does the Qatar flight from Doha leaving at 01:25am normally leave and arrive on time?
Thanks.
All international flights use the same terminal (A - connected to B/domestic in the same large building). You'll come off your Qatar flight, walk to international connections (passport check and stamp but normally v quick) and then through security again and back airside. You'll be able to checkin online/print BP or use mobile for your Comair flight, so this is v straightforward, and I would think that if your QR flight is on time you should be in the (excellent) SLOW lounge before 10am.
There are (plenty) of anecdotal evidence that Comair are also very flexible about putting people on later flights if misconnecting, even on separate tix.
Can't help on the QR flight timings, sorry.
#362
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
#363
Suspended
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Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
Are you on QR1363? It currently has a different timeslot but runs on time or early in the last few flights: https://www.flightradar24.com/flight/qr1363
I therefore wouldn't mind risking booking the 11:25 commair out of JNB.
However, is there a possibility for a same day return to JNB after seeing the falls? I could only see a departure at 16:30 with connections... If anyone would have another flight, maybe a charter it'd be a big help...
#364
Suspended
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Posts: 1,965
I am arriving into JNB on Qatar, at 08:55am in February, then I would like to book a BA/Commair flight - either to VFA leaving at 11:25, or to LVI leaving at 11:10 . Preferably the latter.
Is this reasonable?
I am travelling Hand baggage only.
Thanks.
Is this reasonable?
I am travelling Hand baggage only.
Thanks.
#365
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
2 hour Int to Int connection should be perfectly fine. Just make sure you go to International transfers (sometimes not that easy to spot) and don't end up in the immigration queue.
#366
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Posts: 1,965
#367
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NUE, MUC, ZRH
Programs: OZ Diamond, LH FTL, QR Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 166
#368
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
Anyone have any recent experiences with MRs to JNB, especially with clearing immigration when only staying for one day?
Thinking about an MR there and would like to go landside for a bit instead of sitting in the airport for 12 hours. Would I get questioned about this, or will they just wave me through?
Thinking about an MR there and would like to go landside for a bit instead of sitting in the airport for 12 hours. Would I get questioned about this, or will they just wave me through?
#369
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
I would think two hours should be fine regardless, but seriously, there are some people who don't always arrive at their destinations in the most-alert frame of mind. I am sometimes one of those people. Then there are others who have no problem doing multiple-leg itins in coach, and have no issue getting off at their destination and renting a car in a country where you drive on the opposite side of the road. If you're the latter, I think you'll do fine.
#370
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
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Posts: 1,965
Anyone have any recent experiences with MRs to JNB, especially with clearing immigration when only staying for one day?
Thinking about an MR there and would like to go landside for a bit instead of sitting in the airport for 12 hours. Would I get questioned about this, or will they just wave me through?
Thinking about an MR there and would like to go landside for a bit instead of sitting in the airport for 12 hours. Would I get questioned about this, or will they just wave me through?
#371
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
Of course, you make a good point. After a l/h flight, whether to SA or the New World, I generally avoid renting on the first day. IMO fatigue is more relevant than driving on the left or on the right. When driving, just do what the others do.
Also, FWIW, I rent automatics in SA. More expensive but simpler.
#372
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
When driving in South Africa, please don't take this too literally. The side of the road, yes, otherwise NO.
I always rent automatics in foreign places. Much less stress. ^
I always rent automatics in foreign places. Much less stress. ^
#373
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,235
Anyone have any recent experiences with MRs to JNB, especially with clearing immigration when only staying for one day?
Thinking about an MR there and would like to go landside for a bit instead of sitting in the airport for 12 hours. Would I get questioned about this, or will they just wave me through?
Thinking about an MR there and would like to go landside for a bit instead of sitting in the airport for 12 hours. Would I get questioned about this, or will they just wave me through?
#374
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
Anyone have any recent experiences with MRs to JNB, especially with clearing immigration when only staying for one day?
Thinking about an MR there and would like to go landside for a bit instead of sitting in the airport for 12 hours. Would I get questioned about this, or will they just wave me through?
Thinking about an MR there and would like to go landside for a bit instead of sitting in the airport for 12 hours. Would I get questioned about this, or will they just wave me through?
If you do 12 hours in JNB and feel coherent, I'd suggest a combined tour of the Apartheid Museum and Soweto. Didn't get to do the Soweto tour myself, but have heard elsewhere it's worthwhile. A private tour will set you back about 1500 rand or so with pickup and dropoff at the airport. Plenty of time for that, if you're the type that hits the ground running.
Alternatively, if you want a less-thinking option, see if you could get an MR into Cape Town and do a Cape of Good Hope tour.
#375
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Location: SEA
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Great thread. Thanks to all for the work on this.
Apologies if I've simply missed it, but does anyone have info on carry-on liquids restrictions for int'l to int'l transfers. We will be arriving from LHR on BA, transferring to a separate ticket on SA to VFA. We will be going carry on, so will use the int'l to int'l route. If we buy liquids during our transfer at LHR, will we have to fit those in the 1L bag or no?
Thanks to all for the help.
Apologies if I've simply missed it, but does anyone have info on carry-on liquids restrictions for int'l to int'l transfers. We will be arriving from LHR on BA, transferring to a separate ticket on SA to VFA. We will be going carry on, so will use the int'l to int'l route. If we buy liquids during our transfer at LHR, will we have to fit those in the 1L bag or no?
Thanks to all for the help.