O.R. Tambo International Airport
Also known as: Johannesburg Airport, OR Tambo Airport, JNB Airport, OR Tambo International. Formerly Jan Smuts International Airport, Johannesburg International Airport.
Private transfer from JNBSee pricesSee pricesAbout O.R. Tambo International Airport
O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) serves Johannesburg and the wider Gauteng province of South Africa, and handled about 20.1 million passengers in the 2025/26 financial year.
It is the hub of South African Airways and Airlink, which fly across South Africa and to cities throughout southern and central Africa, and FlySafair, CemAir and LIFT add domestic routes. Long-haul airlines include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines.
Terminal A handles international flights and Terminal B domestic flights, joined by a central terminal building with the Gautrain station above it. The airport is run by Airports Company South Africa and has two parallel runways.
The airport is in Kempton Park, about 22 km east of Johannesburg and about 35 km south of Pretoria. From here most travelers head to Sandton, Rosebank, central Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kruger National Park or the Pilanesberg.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
- Passengers per year
About 20.1 million in the 2025/26 financial year
- Runways
Two parallel runways, 4,421 m and 3,405 m long
- Main airline
South African Airways
- Location
Kempton Park, about 22 km east of Johannesburg
Arrival tips for O.R. Tambo International Airport
International flights arrive at Terminal A, where you go through passport control first. Citizens of many countries, including the US, the UK and Canada, can visit South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days; your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after you leave and have at least two blank pages.
Collect your bags in the baggage hall and clear customs into the international arrivals hall. If you are connecting to a domestic flight, re-check your bags at the bag drop before the central atrium and walk to Terminal B.
Licensed meter taxis wait at ranks just outside the arrivals level. If you booked a private transfer, your driver usually waits in the arrivals hall with a name board. For Uber or Bolt, go up one level and cross the pedestrian bridge to the e-hailing area in the parkade, and only get into the car shown in your app. Signs lead from the terminal to the Gautrain station for Sandton.
Johannesburg sits about 1,700 m above sea level, with summer afternoon thunderstorms and dry, cool winters. South Africa uses South African Standard Time (UTC+2) all year, and the currency is the South African rand (ZAR).
Ground transportation
The Gautrain suits travelers going to Sandton or Pretoria, while taxis, rideshares and transfers suit other addresses.
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Book a transfer from JNBGautrain to Sandton and Pretoria
The Gautrain station is directly above the central terminal building, between Terminals A and B. Trains reach Marlboro in about 10 minutes and Sandton in about 15 minutes; for Pretoria, Rosebank or Park Station you change to the north-south line.
Taxi from Johannesburg airport
Licensed meter taxis wait at ranks just outside the arrivals level. The drive to central Johannesburg takes upwards of 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Rideshare
Uber and Bolt pick up from a designated e-hailing area in the parkade across from the terminals, reached by a pedestrian bridge one level above arrivals. A trip to Sandton usually takes 30 to 45 minutes off-peak.
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you in the arrivals hall and drives you to your address, which helps when you arrive late or are heading beyond the Gautrain network. You need to arrange it before you fly.
Car rental
Car rental companies have desks at the airport, and a free shuttle bus links the terminals with the car parks. A car suits road trips toward Kruger National Park or the Pilanesberg.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Walk between terminals
Terminals A and B sit in one complex and are linked by a central atrium, so you walk between them inside the building. Allow extra time if you need special assistance or are traveling with children.
- 2
International to domestic
Clear immigration and customs and collect your bags in Terminal A, then re-check them at the bag drop on the left before the central atrium. Walk to Terminal B and pass through security to your gate.
- 3
Domestic to international
If your bags are checked through, you do not collect them. Walk to Terminal A, where you pass security and passport control before your gate.
- 4
International to international
With a boarding pass and bags checked to your final destination, follow the International Transfers signs without entering South Africa.
- 5
Free shuttle bus
A free shuttle bus runs between the terminals and the car parks, which helps if you have parked or are collecting a rental car.
Terminals
Terminal A
The international terminal, used for all international arrivals and departures, including regional flights within Africa. International passengers clear immigration and customs here.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air France, Airlink, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, FlySafair, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
Terminal B
The domestic terminal, used for flights within South Africa. South African Airways handles check-in for both its domestic and international passengers in this terminal.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Airlink, FlySafair, LIFT, South African Airways
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is O. R. Tambo airport from Johannesburg?
O. R. Tambo International Airport is in Kempton Park, about 22 km east of central Johannesburg and about 35 km south of Pretoria. The drive to central Johannesburg takes upwards of 30 minutes depending on traffic, and the drive to Sandton usually takes 30 to 45 minutes off-peak. The Gautrain reaches Sandton in about 15 minutes.
Is O. R. Tambo airport in Johannesburg?
The airport is in Kempton Park, in the City of Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg rather than in Johannesburg itself. It is the main airport for Johannesburg, Pretoria and the rest of Gauteng province, and it is linked to Sandton by the Gautrain, with taxis, rideshares and transfers serving other parts of the city by road.
How many terminals does O. R. Tambo airport have?
O. R. Tambo has two passenger terminals: Terminal A for international flights and Terminal B for domestic flights. They sit in one complex and are linked by a central terminal building, so you walk between them indoors. The Gautrain station is above the central building, between the two terminals.
Which terminal do I use at Johannesburg airport?
International flights, including regional flights to other African countries, use Terminal A, and flights within South Africa use Terminal B. South African Airways handles check-in for all its passengers, domestic and international, in Terminal B. Airlink, FlySafair, CemAir and LIFT use Terminal B for domestic routes.
How do I transfer between terminals at O. R. Tambo?
You walk between Terminals A and B through the central atrium. If you arrive internationally and connect to a domestic flight, collect your bags, clear customs in Terminal A, re-check your bags at the bag drop before the atrium, then walk to Terminal B. South African Airways sets a 90-minute minimum for that connection.
How do I take the Gautrain from O. R. Tambo airport?
Follow the signs to the Gautrain station, which is directly above the central terminal building between Terminals A and B. The airport line runs to Rhodesfield, Marlboro and Sandton, taking about 15 minutes to Sandton. For Pretoria, Rosebank or Johannesburg Park Station, change to the north-south line.
Are there taxis at Johannesburg airport?
Yes. Licensed meter taxis wait at ranks just outside the arrivals level of the terminals. The trip to central Johannesburg takes upwards of 30 minutes depending on traffic. Use the official ranks rather than accepting offers from people who approach you inside the terminal, and agree on how the fare is charged first.
Can you use Uber or Bolt at O. R. Tambo airport?
Yes. Uber and Bolt pick up from a designated e-hailing area in the parkade across from the terminals. From international arrivals, go up one level and cross the enclosed pedestrian bridge, then follow the e-hailing signs. Check the plate and driver details in the app before getting in.
Do I need a visa or ETA to enter South Africa?
Many nationalities, including US, UK and Canadian citizens, can visit South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after you leave and have at least two blank pages. South Africa's online Electronic Travel Authorisation is aimed at visa-required travelers and stays optional for visa-exempt visitors.
How do I get from O. R. Tambo airport to Pretoria?
Pretoria is about 35 km north of the airport. The Gautrain is the main public option: take the airport line toward Sandton and change to the north-south line for Centurion, Pretoria and Hatfield. Taxis, Uber, Bolt and pre-booked transfers also go to Pretoria by road, which suits travelers heading to addresses away from the Gautrain stations.
What is the time zone, currency and weather in Johannesburg?
Johannesburg uses South African Standard Time, UTC+2, all year, with no daylight saving time, and the currency is the South African rand (ZAR). The city sits about 1,700 m above sea level, so summers bring warm days with afternoon thunderstorms, while winters from June to August are dry, sunny and cold at night.
Who operates O. R. Tambo airport and how busy is it?
O. R. Tambo International is run by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which also operates Cape Town International and King Shaka in Durban. It handled about 20.1 million passengers in the 2025/26 financial year and is the hub of South African Airways and Airlink. It opened in 1953 as Jan Smuts International Airport.