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.
#796
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: JNB
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels
Posts: 1,307
But, it is a great way to escape the Arrivals throng.
#798
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 171
Need some advice.
Arriving from HLE on SAA at 21:15 (seems like Terminal A) and leaving for LHR on BA at 22:05 (also Terminal A) using different record locators and without checked bags.
Is it doable if I have a BP for the BA flight already? How are security lines at this time of night?
Arriving from HLE on SAA at 21:15 (seems like Terminal A) and leaving for LHR on BA at 22:05 (also Terminal A) using different record locators and without checked bags.
Is it doable if I have a BP for the BA flight already? How are security lines at this time of night?
#799
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
Need some advice.
Arriving from HLE on SAA at 21:15 (seems like Terminal A) and leaving for LHR on BA at 22:05 (also Terminal A) using different record locators and without checked bags.
Is it doable if I have a BP for the BA flight already? How are security lines at this time of night?
Arriving from HLE on SAA at 21:15 (seems like Terminal A) and leaving for LHR on BA at 22:05 (also Terminal A) using different record locators and without checked bags.
Is it doable if I have a BP for the BA flight already? How are security lines at this time of night?
50 minutes with a long haul flight at risk is far too short for my liking, what is your plan if that SAA flight is 30+ minutes late? Looking at the flight history it is often early which helps but it is also cancelled on occasion.
#800
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: JNB
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels
Posts: 1,307
#801
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA GGL, Bonvoy lt Titanium, UA lt Gld MM, HHonors Diamond, Starbucks Gold!
Posts: 109
Hi all. Apologies if I missed this specific example somewhere above...
I'm arriving on BA55 transferring to SA190 (to MRU) on separate tickets. So ~ 2h25 connection, assuming everything is on time.
I've been advised against checked baggage. I'm assuming the advice here will be similar on this note...
The second question is about duty-free liquids... Can I transit sealed duty-free from LHR through JNB? I'm thinking of bringing either a bottle of whiskey or some wine for my holiday...
Thank you for your help!
Will.
I'm arriving on BA55 transferring to SA190 (to MRU) on separate tickets. So ~ 2h25 connection, assuming everything is on time.
I've been advised against checked baggage. I'm assuming the advice here will be similar on this note...
The second question is about duty-free liquids... Can I transit sealed duty-free from LHR through JNB? I'm thinking of bringing either a bottle of whiskey or some wine for my holiday...
Thank you for your help!
Will.
#802
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,866
Arriving on LH 572 from FRA at 9:30 am and departing on SA 40 to VFA at 10:50, so 1h20 min, is this foolhardy? Won't check a bag. I could switch to SA 261 which gets in an hour earlier, but I prefer Lufthansa.
#803
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
1h20 is fine for an international transit so you are gambling on the on-time LH arrival. Looking at the past performance I think you will be OK: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/lh572/
#804
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA GGL, Bonvoy lt Titanium, UA lt Gld MM, HHonors Diamond, Starbucks Gold!
Posts: 109
So, quick update after a successful trip...
- Transiting with duty-free alcohol is fine. As long as it's in a sealed bag, there is no issue.
- Security seems to be somewhat arbitrary
- on the outbound leg, they confiscated a set of nose hair trimmers, which have passed through 20+ airports multiple times over the past several years, as South Africa seems to dumb down the rules quite a bit - instead of no scissors with pointy ends, it's no scissors at all, even if as blunt as a ball. On the return leg, they let us through with bagged alcohol and also unbagged alcohol... liquids they didn't seem to care about.
- Onboard the SAA flight, they demanded phones be turned off, not just on flight mode...
- If you're transiting, you go through transit border and security instead of entering South Africa through border and customs, collecting your bags, etc. then rechecking...
- The number of border agents on duty can vary widely... So the line can take a few minutes to a very very long time... Outbound had 4 agents. Return had one... This, coupled with delays, is why 2 hours is cutting it tight to transit.
- Same thing with security... could be one line or could be 3 lines open...
- I've received a few warnings that checking bags can be risky in terms of theft... advice - beyond having a min 3hr + connection time - is to not place anything valuable or electronic in a checked bag, and to have it "wrapped" at your initial airport.
#805
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
I'm not sure if anything have changed since then... but it's not only SAA that requires it to be completely off during takeoff and landing
Never place anything valuable in your checked bag, that is irrespective of which airline you fly, which airport you connect in etc. etc.
#806
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
So, quick update after a successful trip...
- Transiting with duty-free alcohol is fine. As long as it's in a sealed bag, there is no issue.
- Security seems to be somewhat arbitrary
- on the outbound leg, they confiscated a set of nose hair trimmers, which have passed through 20+ airports multiple times over the past several years, as South Africa seems to dumb down the rules quite a bit - instead of no scissors with pointy ends, it's no scissors at all, even if as blunt as a ball. On the return leg, they let us through with bagged alcohol and also unbagged alcohol... liquids they didn't seem to care about.
- Onboard the SAA flight, they demanded phones be turned off, not just on flight mode...
- If you're transiting, you go through transit border and security instead of entering South Africa through border and customs, collecting your bags, etc. then rechecking...
- The number of border agents on duty can vary widely... So the line can take a few minutes to a very very long time... Outbound had 4 agents. Return had one... This, coupled with delays, is why 2 hours is cutting it tight to transit.
- Same thing with security... could be one line or could be 3 lines open...
- I've received a few warnings that checking bags can be risky in terms of theft... advice - beyond having a min 3hr + connection time - is to not place anything valuable or electronic in a checked bag, and to have it "wrapped" at your initial airport.
#807
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Hi all
First time poster here. I have a flight from Livingstone (BA) arriving to Terminal A at 15.15 on Sat 20 July. I then have a flight going to Istanbul from Terminal B at 18:10 on a separate ticket. Is this enough time to make the flight (assuming no delays etc)? The flights are on separate tickets and I will only have carry on luggage.\
Thank you!
First time poster here. I have a flight from Livingstone (BA) arriving to Terminal A at 15.15 on Sat 20 July. I then have a flight going to Istanbul from Terminal B at 18:10 on a separate ticket. Is this enough time to make the flight (assuming no delays etc)? The flights are on separate tickets and I will only have carry on luggage.\
Thank you!
#808
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Hi all
First time poster here. I have a flight from Livingstone (BA) arriving to Terminal A at 15.15 on Sat 20 July. I then have a flight going to Istanbul from Terminal B at 18:10 on a separate ticket. Is this enough time to make the flight (assuming no delays etc)? The flights are on separate tickets and I will only have carry on luggage.\
Thank you!
First time poster here. I have a flight from Livingstone (BA) arriving to Terminal A at 15.15 on Sat 20 July. I then have a flight going to Istanbul from Terminal B at 18:10 on a separate ticket. Is this enough time to make the flight (assuming no delays etc)? The flights are on separate tickets and I will only have carry on luggage.\
Thank you!
#809
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Thanks for coming back skyward hunter.
Do you think I am able to get a boarding pass in transit so? I’m fairly certain I won’t be able to get it in LVI.
I wouldn’t have time to enter South Africa to get one, would I? I know I don’t need a visa anyway, but unsure how long immigration que is and security on the way out.
Thanks
Do you think I am able to get a boarding pass in transit so? I’m fairly certain I won’t be able to get it in LVI.
I wouldn’t have time to enter South Africa to get one, would I? I know I don’t need a visa anyway, but unsure how long immigration que is and security on the way out.
Thanks