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.
#826
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: mileage plus
Posts: 6
Thank you. If I do miss my connecting flight is it pretty easy to get on the following or is it a heavily commuted route so likely to be on standby or the following flight? Obviously no guarantees but generally speaking of course. I guess is it worth the risk?
#827
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
PLZ doesn't have that many flights, but most of the commute would be PLZ to Joburg in the mornings, and in the evenings the reverse (same as CPT-JNB, business peeps living in the nice parts of SA and commuting to the less nice parts, spoken as someone from CPT who has to do this sometimes). They'll rebook you at the transit desk, it shouldn't be an issue getting on the next flight
#829
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 77
10 hr layover at JNB
Hi all,
I have an upcoming international to international flight connection at JNB with a 10 hr layover (~9am to 7pm). I’ve never been to South Africa before so I’m hoping to be able to visit Johannesburg during this layover.
Can anyone please recommend some places to visit and how to get there and back to JNB? Is the HOHO sightseeing bus worthwhile for the time constraint trip?
I prefer returning to JNB by 4pm latest to enjoy some Star Alliance lounges (I’m *A Gold).
Thanks for any advice.
I have an upcoming international to international flight connection at JNB with a 10 hr layover (~9am to 7pm). I’ve never been to South Africa before so I’m hoping to be able to visit Johannesburg during this layover.
Can anyone please recommend some places to visit and how to get there and back to JNB? Is the HOHO sightseeing bus worthwhile for the time constraint trip?
I prefer returning to JNB by 4pm latest to enjoy some Star Alliance lounges (I’m *A Gold).
Thanks for any advice.
#830
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Hi all,
I have an upcoming international to international flight connection at JNB with a 10 hr layover (~9am to 7pm). I’ve never been to South Africa before so I’m hoping to be able to visit Johannesburg during this layover.
Can anyone please recommend some places to visit and how to get there and back to JNB? Is the HOHO sightseeing bus worthwhile for the time constraint trip?
I prefer returning to JNB by 4pm latest to enjoy some Star Alliance lounges (I’m *A Gold).
Thanks for any advice.
I have an upcoming international to international flight connection at JNB with a 10 hr layover (~9am to 7pm). I’ve never been to South Africa before so I’m hoping to be able to visit Johannesburg during this layover.
Can anyone please recommend some places to visit and how to get there and back to JNB? Is the HOHO sightseeing bus worthwhile for the time constraint trip?
I prefer returning to JNB by 4pm latest to enjoy some Star Alliance lounges (I’m *A Gold).
Thanks for any advice.
In terms of seeing Joburg the most iconic would be visiting Mandela's house but it's the opposite side of this very big city. Most efficient transport would be the Gautrain but that would get you as far as Sandton at best. However there are also things to see in and around the city centre/Braamfontein/Newtown. Uber is widely available, too. Keep in mind that from 4.30pm onwards there'll be rush hour traffic which may or may not affect you depending on where you go. Generally speaking between 3.30pm and 4.30pm I find one can get from Rosebank to the airport in around 45 minutes still, i.e. traffic isn't too bad, but if you now throw a lengthy stretch on the M1 or circling the city on the M1/N3 it could be longer. Google maps is your friend for that.
Lots of museums and stuff to see, some cool markets etc too. Been a few years since I lived there so can't recall everything
#831
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,655
I have an upcoming international to international flight connection at JNB with a 10 hr layover (~9am to 7pm). I’ve never been to South Africa before so I’m hoping to be able to visit Johannesburg during this layover.
Can anyone please recommend some places to visit and how to get there and back to JNB? Is the HOHO sightseeing bus worthwhile for the time constraint trip?
I prefer returning to JNB by 4pm latest to enjoy some Star Alliance lounges (I’m *A Gold).
Can anyone please recommend some places to visit and how to get there and back to JNB? Is the HOHO sightseeing bus worthwhile for the time constraint trip?
I prefer returning to JNB by 4pm latest to enjoy some Star Alliance lounges (I’m *A Gold).
Don't make time specifically for the lounge(s). There is nothing special about any of them and they only marginally beat sitting in the concourse. I personally prefer to get a table at Mugg and Bean overlooking the tarmac and relax there with a coffee or snack for at least part of my layover.
If you are the gambling type, Emperor's Palace Casino is only a 5 minute ride from the airport and they offer a free shuttle bus from arrivals.
#832
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: United
Posts: 19
Hi - I have a 90 minute connection in JNB (LHR -> JNB -> CPT). Is that enough time to get through customs with checked baggage? I see there are frequent flights so I can probably get on the next one if I miss my connection but maybe I should try to change my flight now. I'll be flying business class, I don't know if there is fast track for business class passengers.
#834
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
Hi - I have a 90 minute connection in JNB (LHR -> JNB -> CPT). Is that enough time to get through customs with checked baggage? I see there are frequent flights so I can probably get on the next one if I miss my connection but maybe I should try to change my flight now. I'll be flying business class, I don't know if there is fast track for business class passengers.
If there is a minimal cost involved then I would pick a longer stopover and shower/have a drink/relax in the lounge rather than running though the airport.
#836
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
#837
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
This rule applies to anyone arriving in South Africa on an international flight irrespective of the origin. Those who are in direct airside transit to to another international destination are excluded.
#839
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
We are looking at an itinerary flying CPT-JNB-HKG where the CPT-JNB sector will be on BA (Comair) and JNB-HKG on CX. Connection time is 90 minutes in the morning - I presume this shouldn’t be an issue given we are doing domestic to international?
Also will customs bat an eye if someone is only staying in SA for 24 hours?
Also will customs bat an eye if someone is only staying in SA for 24 hours?
#840
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
We are looking at an itinerary flying CPT-JNB-HKG where the CPT-JNB sector will be on BA (Comair) and JNB-HKG on CX. Connection time is 90 minutes in the morning - I presume this shouldn’t be an issue given we are doing domestic to international?
Also will customs bat an eye if someone is only staying in SA for 24 hours?
Also will customs bat an eye if someone is only staying in SA for 24 hours?
Customs won't care, you might be more concerned with immigration, but I doubt they'd care, either.