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.
#1036
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,433
Yes. But honestly it’s pretty well signposted and not that complex.
#1038
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
I've used FedAir in the past and I've found them very professional and service oriented. Why don't you reach out to them with this question?
#1039
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 20
FedAir does not land at any of the JNB terminals as it is basically a private charter airlines. They have their own facilities on the eastern side of the airport property (opposite the normal terminals, other side of the tarmac). You will have to get to the departures area using a FedAir shuttle bus and then check in normally (just like you arrived via uber/taxi). I assume you are flying Qantas. According to their website, international check in closes 90 minutes before departure. Just my personal opinion, it seems a little tight. I would prefer at least 2.5 hours.
I've used FedAir in the past and I've found them very professional and service oriented. Why don't you reach out to them with this question?
I've used FedAir in the past and I've found them very professional and service oriented. Why don't you reach out to them with this question?
My booking on the Qantas website says the flight departs at 5:40pm, and check in closes 60 minutes which makes me feel a little better if true, but the check-in options on their website also mentions it closes 90 minutes before departure so I'm a bit confused there.
#1040
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Gotcha. I did reach out to FedAir and they said the same, it would be a tight connection, but that it's noted on my reservation and they'd do their best to accommodate. FedAir lands at 3:30pm, 15-20 minute drive to JNB.
My booking on the Qantas website says the flight departs at 5:40pm, and check in closes 60 minutes which makes me feel a little better if true, but the check-in options on their website also mentions it closes 90 minutes before departure so I'm a bit confused there.
My booking on the Qantas website says the flight departs at 5:40pm, and check in closes 60 minutes which makes me feel a little better if true, but the check-in options on their website also mentions it closes 90 minutes before departure so I'm a bit confused there.
#1041
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: SW UK
Programs: British Airways, Swiss, Hilton, Hyatt
Posts: 13
JNB Connection info
Looking for some advice re connection times at JNB - Intl - Dom.
I'm arriving on Swiss (in the front) in Nov and want to connect to a CPT flight - separate tickets and with checked baggage.
Swiss arrives at 10.20 (middle of most other Europe/ME arrivals) and debating with myself which is the best CPT flight to catch.
I was hoping for the 13.00 with Lift (or maybe SAA), but maybe too eager with my timings?!
I know everything is based on an ontime arrival, but any idea of 'landing' to 'baggage collection' timings at that time of the day with a busy arrivals hall?
Also there are several flights with 'Flexflight' showing on google flights, but operated by lift. I was going to opt for Lift for the 13.00 but can't seem to find anything about flexflight - anyone know anything about them?
I'm arriving on Swiss (in the front) in Nov and want to connect to a CPT flight - separate tickets and with checked baggage.
Swiss arrives at 10.20 (middle of most other Europe/ME arrivals) and debating with myself which is the best CPT flight to catch.
I was hoping for the 13.00 with Lift (or maybe SAA), but maybe too eager with my timings?!
I know everything is based on an ontime arrival, but any idea of 'landing' to 'baggage collection' timings at that time of the day with a busy arrivals hall?
Also there are several flights with 'Flexflight' showing on google flights, but operated by lift. I was going to opt for Lift for the 13.00 but can't seem to find anything about flexflight - anyone know anything about them?
#1042
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Looking for some advice re connection times at JNB - Intl - Dom.
I'm arriving on Swiss (in the front) in Nov and want to connect to a CPT flight - separate tickets and with checked baggage.
Swiss arrives at 10.20 (middle of most other Europe/ME arrivals) and debating with myself which is the best CPT flight to catch.
I was hoping for the 13.00 with Lift (or maybe SAA), but maybe too eager with my timings?!
I know everything is based on an ontime arrival, but any idea of 'landing' to 'baggage collection' timings at that time of the day with a busy arrivals hall?
Also there are several flights with 'Flexflight' showing on google flights, but operated by lift. I was going to opt for Lift for the 13.00 but can't seem to find anything about flexflight - anyone know anything about them?
I'm arriving on Swiss (in the front) in Nov and want to connect to a CPT flight - separate tickets and with checked baggage.
Swiss arrives at 10.20 (middle of most other Europe/ME arrivals) and debating with myself which is the best CPT flight to catch.
I was hoping for the 13.00 with Lift (or maybe SAA), but maybe too eager with my timings?!
I know everything is based on an ontime arrival, but any idea of 'landing' to 'baggage collection' timings at that time of the day with a busy arrivals hall?
Also there are several flights with 'Flexflight' showing on google flights, but operated by lift. I was going to opt for Lift for the 13.00 but can't seem to find anything about flexflight - anyone know anything about them?
https://www.za.kayak.com/FlexFlight.W2.airline.html
#1044
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: SW UK
Programs: British Airways, Swiss, Hilton, Hyatt
Posts: 13
#1045
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 2
LHR-JNB JNB-MUB Seperate tickets
We are hopefully flying BA from LHR-JNB next month with carryon luggage only. Unfortunately the hand baggage is too heavy to be a carryon on Airlink Botswana. Can we have our hand baggage tagged at the transit desk or will be have to go through customs? We will be checked in and have our boarding passes for the flight to Maun.
Thanks Sharon
Thanks Sharon
#1046
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
We are hopefully flying BA from LHR-JNB next month with carryon luggage only. Unfortunately the hand baggage is too heavy to be a carryon on Airlink Botswana. Can we have our hand baggage tagged at the transit desk or will be have to go through customs? We will be checked in and have our boarding passes for the flight to Maun.
Thanks Sharon
Thanks Sharon
#1047
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
W2/365 is WorldTicket which is a GDS sub-hosting provider similar to HahnAir (H1/169) and APG (GP/275). They are simply the quickest way for Lift to enter GDS distribution using them as a middleman rather than a full-scale integration from AeroCRS to Amadeus/Sabre/Travelport.
#1049
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
You can check-in online for Airlink and then proceed directly to your gate with a mobile boarding pass, or else use the desks or kiosks in the transfer area.
#1050
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
I subscribe to an international travel advisory service and received an alert about a strike involving the SA national Revenue Service (SARS) that may impact customs workers. Has anyone seen a noticeable impact on international arrivals/departures?
The alert email I received did not contain any specific news releases on the strike and when I search for news on a SARS strike affecting JNB and/or CPT, I see that there have been frequent labor actions but nothing specific for June/July 2022.
The alert email I received did not contain any specific news releases on the strike and when I search for news on a SARS strike affecting JNB and/or CPT, I see that there have been frequent labor actions but nothing specific for June/July 2022.