Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Johannesburg Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Places to sleep, all in terminal B, domestic. Arrival floor (ground floor) lots of benches consisting of 4 padded seats, together about 2,2 meter long. – savan
JNB Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (Code: JNB).
What to Expect
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport includes two Terminals (A and B) connected by a central terminal building that handles check-in and luggage, and allows for landslide or airside transit between A and B. There are well over 100 shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and other service providers throughout the airport, though most shops and eateries close by 11:00PM. To help pass the time, WiFi is available. For comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to use one of the first-class airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and hours.
Sleeping in Johannesburg Airport
With flights arriving and departing at all hours, airport staff are said to be accommodating to overnight sleepers, and security staff help provide a safe atmosphere. There are plenty of chairs, though most have armrests, but you can also find padded armrest-free benches in places. The departure level of Terminal B, the International Transfer area, and restaurant benches at closed Terminal B restaurants have all been identified as successful sleeping spots. Floors are not carpeted, so if going for floor sleeping have an extra layer or mat. For uninterrupted sleep, there is a transit hotel at the airport, and some others hotels within a quick shuttle ride away. See Airport Hotels in the guide below for more information or read some traveller reviews for more tips.
Covid-19 Update
Some airport reviews and tips in this guide and elsewhere on the site were written before March 2020 and may no longer be valid. To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.
For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Johannesburg Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
Terminal A – International Lounges
- Shongololo Lounge – Location: International Terminal A, Airside. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Mashonzha Lounge – Location: International Terminal A, Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Bidvest Premier Lounge (International) – Location: International Terminal A, Upper Mezzanine Level, International Departures, Airside. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Aspire Lounge – Location: Terminal A, Airside. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.
Terminal B – Domestic Lounges
- Bidvest Sky Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal B, Airside, 4th Floor. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
- Bidvest Premier Lounge (Domestic) – Location: Domestic Terminal B, Airside. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
Terminal A: SAA Cycad First Class Lounge • SAA Baobab Premium Class Lounge • The Emirates Lounge • Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse • British Airways Galleries First/Galleries Club Lounge • SAA Arrivals Lounge.
Terminal B: SAA VIA Lounge • SAA Voyager Platinum Lounge.
Related Pages: Johannesburg Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in Johannesburg airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels inside and near the airport:
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
In Transit Protea Hotel Transit OR Tambo Airport – Located in the International Terminal. No visa is required. As you exit the plane, follow the signs for “International Transfers” into the transit lounge, pass through security, and walk straight to find the hotel entrance. To access the hotel, do not clear customs. Rooms are available for overnight stay, or for day use of 6 hour blocks from 6:00AM to 6:00PM. » Check Rates Near Airport Intercontinental Hotel Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport – Located 70m (an easy walk) from the front of International Arrivals Hall. Follow the signs for Short Term Parking and then you’ll see signs for the hotel. Day rooms are available from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. » Check Rates Near Airport Southern Sun OR Tambo Airport – Located 500m from the airport. Free 24-hour airport shuttle runs every 15 minutes. Airport pick-up is behind the Intercontinental Hotel at the bus/shuttle terminal. From the International/Domestic terminals, follow the “Public Transport” signs until you see the shuttle terminal. » Check Rates Near Airport City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport – Located above multi-story Parkade 2, level 5 at the airport. Hotel offers day rates valid from 8:00AM – 5:00PM. » Check RatesFor more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Johannesburg Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Johannesburg Airport for up to 4 hours or 1GB, whichever comes first. Connect to the “Airports Free” network. Registration requires an email address and contact number. Once you have reached the maximum (hours or data) you may purchase additional service.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Food court area next to Wimpy and Spur • On the retail level in the bank area • In Terminal A departures (next to Wandie’s Restaurant) • Next to ABSA Bank in Terminal A Arrivals • next to Khulula/BA/Comair ticket sales.
Baby Care Facilities – Baby-changing facilities are provided in most women’s washrooms.
Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available throughout the airport. Porters are also available to assist, a tip of R10 per bag is recommended.
Chapel / Prayer Room – The airport has a Christian Chapel (Terminal B, level 2, open 24 hours) and Muslim Prayer Room (Terminal A, Arrivals, Basement, open 24 hours).
Currency Exchange – Bidvest Bank, Master Currency and Travelex are located in the International Terminal, Arrivals Area. Additionally, there are five banks at the airport that could be of assistance.
Duty Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available in the Terminal A Duty Free Mall and also in Terminal B on the retail level. A wide variety of shops are also available.
Food & Drinks – The airport offers food choices in both Terminals. At the time of this update it was not known if there are any 24 hour food concessions available at the airport.
Information Desk – Information kiosks are can be found in Terminal A (International Arrivals and Departures), Terminal B (Domestic Arrivals and Departures) and in the Transit area.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Lock-Up Luggage is available in the International Terminal, Basement Level. Hours and rates are not known.
Massage – Massage services are available in Letsema. Location: Terminal A Duty Free Mall.
Medical Services – First Aid, emergency care, immunizations and other services are provided at the Travel Clinic. Hours: open 24 hours.
Mobile Charging – At the time of this update, we did not have any information about mobile charging availability. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Observation Deck – Relax and watch planes taking off and landing from the vantage point at one of two public viewing decks. Location: Domestic Terminal (Terminal B) and International Terminal (Terminal A, 4th floor).
Pharmacy – Available in both Terminals A and B.
Post Office – Locations: International Arrivals Terminal and on the shopping level of the Domestic Terminal.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Available in the Bidvest, Ses’fikile and Shongolo Lounges. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Johannesburg and need local arrangements or help planning a really last minute trip abroad, there are a few travel agencies with offices at the airport that can probably be of assistance: Airport Travel Hub and Gateway Travel Services.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Johannesburg airport is served by the following airlines: Air Austral • Air Botswana • Air China • Air France • Air Mauritius • Air Namibia • Air Seychelles • Air Zimbabwe • SA Airlink • British Airways • Cathay Pacific • Cemair • Delta Air Lines • El Al Israel Airlines • Emirates • Ethiopian Airlines • Etihad Airways • Fastjet • FlySafair • Iberia • Kenya Airways • KLM • Kululu • LAM Mozambique Airlines • Lufthansa • Mango Airlines • Malawian Airlines • Qantas Airways • Qatar Airways • RwandAir • Singapore Airlines • Saudi Arabian Airlines • Solenta Aviation • South African Airways • Swiss • TAAG Angola Airlines • Turkish Airlines • Virgin Atlantic.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Car Rentals
These car rental agencies offer service onsite: Avis • Bidvest Car Rental • Capital Car Hire • Europcar • First Car Rental • Hertz • Select Car Hire • Tempest Car Hire • Thrifty • Woodford Car Hire.
Hotel Shuttles
Some area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Outlook Lodge O.R. Tambo • Protea Hotel by Marriott O.R. Tambo Airport • Premier Hotel OR Tambo • Garden Court O.R. Tambo International Airport • Sunrock Guesthouse • Peermont Metcourt Hotel at Emperors Palace • Peermont D’oreale Grande at Emperors Palace.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Metered taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area.
Train
The airport is connect to the city via a train link. Trains run from 5:15AM – 10:00PM, approximately every 12 minutes (peak periods). For more information and to plan your route, visit the Gautrain website.
Last updated: 2022-10-31
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
