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.
Feb 13, 2019, 5:28 am
#811
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
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
Feb 13, 2019, 10:04 am
#812
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
Feb 13, 2019, 12:55 pm
#813
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Thank you so much for all replies!!
Very reassuring to hear that I can check in at a counter in transit.
Ive had it confirmed that i can actually check in online though with Turkish airlines, so hopefully double safe!
I guess this is still good info for someone who needs to have a boarding pass printed in transit on a different ticket in the future!
Very reassuring to hear that I can check in at a counter in transit.
Ive had it confirmed that i can actually check in online though with Turkish airlines, so hopefully double safe!
I guess this is still good info for someone who needs to have a boarding pass printed in transit on a different ticket in the future!
Feb 28, 2019, 6:12 am
#814
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 4
United is letting me book a crazy itinerary and I have a short 1 hr and 15 minute connection at JNB. I am flying MRU - JNB - LHR - GVA - YUL on one ticket all through Star Alliance. The MRU and LHR segments are on SAA. I believe that I can A) Check bags through to the final destination and B) Not have to go through customs since I am going from International to International. Although, from what I have researched it seems that the SAA Flight departs out of Terminal B and I arrive in Terminal A from Mauritius. Is there international transfers from Terminal A to B?
Thank you all.
Thank you all.
Feb 28, 2019, 6:55 am
#815
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
United is letting me book a crazy itinerary and I have a short 1 hr and 15 minute connection at JNB. I am flying MRU - JNB - LHR - GVA - YUL on one ticket all through Star Alliance. The MRU and LHR segments are on SAA. I believe that I can A) Check bags through to the final destination and B) Not have to go through customs since I am going from International to International. Although, from what I have researched it seems that the SAA Flight departs out of Terminal B and I arrive in Terminal A from Mauritius. Is there international transfers from Terminal A to B?
Thank you all.
Thank you all.
I also can't see a reason why you shouldn't be able to check the bags all the way through if that's all a single ticket.
Feb 28, 2019, 6:58 am
#816
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
There is only one international terminal in Johannesburg. The only reason they have the silly "A" and "B" designation is because SAA check-in counters are located between international and domestic security entrances (hence called "B"), which is separate from the other international carriers who check-in at "A". All flights actually arrive and depart in the same place however.
Feb 28, 2019, 7:13 am
#817
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
There is only one international terminal in Johannesburg. The only reason they have the silly "A" and "B" designation is because SAA check-in counters are located between international and domestic security entrances (hence called "B"), which is separate from the other international carriers who check-in at "A". All flights actually arrive and depart in the same place however.
Feb 28, 2019, 8:55 am
#819
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Mar 22, 2019, 7:09 pm
#821
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: mileage plus
Posts: 6
First time to SA, flying all on one ticket through BA with a carry-on and a checked bag. LHR to PLZ, connecting through JNB landing @ 6am on a Wednesday with a carry-on and checked bag. I have 3 choices of departure times for said connection: 08:10 or 11:10 or 13:15 which one would be best? BA says I can do the 8:10 but not sure if that's realistic but don't want to be stuck in the airport for ever. I also have the option of 2 later BA flights into JNB, landing @ 07:05 or 09:15.
Also never got a bag wrapped before. If I'm just packing clothes, nothing special other than it being a new suitcase, should I get my bag wrapped? If so do I do it at LHR or JNB since I go through customs?
Finally does having wheelchair assistance make anything go faster? Sometimes they cut the lines. My friend would like to know for her (same flights but different day.)
Also never got a bag wrapped before. If I'm just packing clothes, nothing special other than it being a new suitcase, should I get my bag wrapped? If so do I do it at LHR or JNB since I go through customs?
Finally does having wheelchair assistance make anything go faster? Sometimes they cut the lines. My friend would like to know for her (same flights but different day.)
Last edited by nicolewsd; Mar 23, 2019 at 2:58 am
Mar 23, 2019, 2:29 am
#822
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
First time to SA, flying all on one BA ticket with a carry-on and a checked bag. LHR to PLZ, connecting through JNB landing @ 6am on a Wednesday with a carry-on and checked bag. I have 3 choices of departure times for said connection: 08:10 or 11:10 or 13:15 which one would be best? BA says I can do the 8:10 but not sure if that's realistic but don't want to be stuck in the airport for ever. I also have the option of 2 later BA flights into JNB, landing @ 07:05 or 09:15.
Also never got a bag wrapped before. If I'm just packing clothes, nothing special other than it being a new suitcase, should I get my bag wrapped? If so do I do it at LHR or JNB since I go through customs?
Finally does having wheelchair assistance make anything go faster? Sometimes they cut the lines. My friend would like to know for her (same flights but different day.)
Also never got a bag wrapped before. If I'm just packing clothes, nothing special other than it being a new suitcase, should I get my bag wrapped? If so do I do it at LHR or JNB since I go through customs?
Finally does having wheelchair assistance make anything go faster? Sometimes they cut the lines. My friend would like to know for her (same flights but different day.)
Mar 23, 2019, 6:03 am
#823
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Depends.
If the pax has a genuine physical disability, then a wheelchair may well be faster than walking, depending on the gate. It can be a really long walk to immigrations if you get the wrong one, and then almost as far from there to domestic departures.
If, on the other hand, the wheelchair request is just a preferential treatment scam, then walking will be faster. Pax requiring assistance will deplane last, and I've seen over 40 wheelchairs waiting in the jetway upon arrival in JNB. I kid you not. Most pax will already be at or through immigrations by the time the wheelchair show gets on the road.
I've taken a number of BA longhaul flights (in F and J) in the company of a person needing a wheelchair, and in all instances it took (much) longer than it otherwise would have. The only theoretical advantage was priority boarding, which we had anyway.
Johan
If the pax has a genuine physical disability, then a wheelchair may well be faster than walking, depending on the gate. It can be a really long walk to immigrations if you get the wrong one, and then almost as far from there to domestic departures.
If, on the other hand, the wheelchair request is just a preferential treatment scam, then walking will be faster. Pax requiring assistance will deplane last, and I've seen over 40 wheelchairs waiting in the jetway upon arrival in JNB. I kid you not. Most pax will already be at or through immigrations by the time the wheelchair show gets on the road.
I've taken a number of BA longhaul flights (in F and J) in the company of a person needing a wheelchair, and in all instances it took (much) longer than it otherwise would have. The only theoretical advantage was priority boarding, which we had anyway.
Johan
Mar 23, 2019, 6:50 am
#824
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: mileage plus
Posts: 6
Well it's a legitimate need but there are varying factors if it's needed on the day which is why she wanted to ask, in case it is. I've found to my surprise when travelling with her sometimes it's actually faster than if I walked it. But I guess it depends also on how many are needed and where she's at in line for one. Thank you for your help.
Any advice on my flights? I'll be going towards the end of September.
Or baggage wrapping?
Any advice on my flights? I'll be going towards the end of September.
Or baggage wrapping?
Mar 25, 2019, 2:51 am
#825
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
First time to SA, flying all on one ticket through BA with a carry-on and a checked bag. LHR to PLZ, connecting through JNB landing @ 6am on a Wednesday with a carry-on and checked bag. I have 3 choices of departure times for said connection: 08:10 or 11:10 or 13:15 which one would be best? BA says I can do the 8:10 but not sure if that's realistic but don't want to be stuck in the airport for ever. I also have the option of 2 later BA flights into JNB, landing @ 07:05 or 09:15.
Also never got a bag wrapped before. If I'm just packing clothes, nothing special other than it being a new suitcase, should I get my bag wrapped? If so do I do it at LHR or JNB since I go through customs?
Finally does having wheelchair assistance make anything go faster? Sometimes they cut the lines. My friend would like to know for her (same flights but different day.)
Also never got a bag wrapped before. If I'm just packing clothes, nothing special other than it being a new suitcase, should I get my bag wrapped? If so do I do it at LHR or JNB since I go through customs?
Finally does having wheelchair assistance make anything go faster? Sometimes they cut the lines. My friend would like to know for her (same flights but different day.)