If you’re facing a layover at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, you may be wondering about things to do at Johannesburg Airport beyond finding a place to sleep. While this is not an airport packed with attractions, there are enough food options, shops, lounges, and basic comforts to help pass the time — especially if your layover is short. Longer layovers can feel more limited, particularly overnight, so it helps to set expectations early.
1. Grab a bite
Food options are fairly solid by airport standards, especially during daytime and evening hours. You’ll find a mix of sit-down restaurants, casual counters, and cafés serving burgers, steaks, seafood, and international dishes alongside familiar South African brands.
Travellers looking to try something local can watch for South African chains and cafés offering meat pies, boerewors-style sausages, or comfort foods like chicken peri-peri. Woolworths Food is a popular stop for ready-to-eat meals, fresh snacks, baked goods, and higher-quality grab-and-go items than typical convenience stores, making it especially useful if you arrive late or don’t want a full restaurant meal.
Late-night dining options are limited, with many restaurants closing around 11:00 PM, so it’s a good idea to eat earlier or pick up snacks if you’re facing an overnight wait.
2. Head to a lounge
If you’re planning to eat, relax, and get online, an airport lounge can make a long layover feel easier. Several lounges here are open to most travellers, regardless of airline or class, for a one-time fee or via lounge membership programs. Expect basic meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, and sometimes showers in a quieter setting than the main terminal. Availability, crowding, and amenities vary by lounge, so it’s best to check access details in advance. See our Johannesburg Airport Guide for locations and rates.
3. Go shopping
Shopping is one of the easier ways to pass time during a layover here. Along with standard airport shops like pharmacies, bookstores, and electronics stores, there’s a noticeable emphasis on South African and African-made products.
Travellers can browse stores selling local wines, Amarula cream liqueur, rooibos tea, chocolates, biltong, and packaged snacks that travel well. There are also shops featuring African jewellery, beadwork, crafts, leather goods, and souvenirs that feel more regionally distinctive than typical airport fare. Duty-free areas stock alcohol, cosmetics, and sweets, though prices aren’t always dramatically lower than in the city.
Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, browsing can help break up a long wait.
4. Visit the observation decks
Two viewing areas are described as quieter places to watch planes coming and going.
5. Take a shower
Freshen up and relax your muscles with a hot shower before your next flight. Several pay-to-enter lounges offer showers.
6. Get a massage
Letsema, located in Terminal A’s mall, offers massage services – perfect for getting those airplane kinks out of your neck in time for the next flight.
7. Get online
Stay connected to friends and family, update your social media accounts or surf the internet using the airport’s free WiFi. You’ll want to use your time wisely, though, as there is currently a 4-hour time limit or 1GB of data restriction. Boo! To connect, you must register with an email address and phone number to access the network.
8. Sleep
With flights operating day and night, catching some sleep is usually possible, though comfort is limited. Seating is plentiful but often divided by armrests, so stretching out can be tricky. Floors are hard and can feel cold overnight. Travellers report that quieter spots are sometimes found in Terminal B, particularly near departure areas with padded benches when available. Security staff may check passports and boarding passes during the night, which can interrupt sleep.
If you want a proper bed, there is a transit hotel inside the International Terminal, with rooms available for short stays or overnight use. Additional hotels are located on the airport grounds within walking distance. See our Johannesburg Airport Guide for current hotel details.
Updated 13 January 2026
These are just a few things to do on a layover at Johannesburg Airport. Visit our Johannesburg Airport Guide for more information about services and facilities, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.