Cheap Flights to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

O.R. Tambo International Airport (IATA: JNB) is the largest and busiest airport in South Africa, and one of the most important aviation hubs on the African continent. Located in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni — in the heart of Gauteng — it serves the twin metropolitan areas of Johannesburg and Pretoria, collectively home to over 15 million people.

The airport was originally founded in 1952 as Jan Smuts Airport, named after the South African statesman Jan Christiaan Smuts, who was the only person to have signed the peace treaties ending both World War I and World War II. In 1994, following the end of apartheid, the airport was renamed Johannesburg International Airport. On 27 October 2006, it was renamed once more — becoming O.R. Tambo International Airport in honour of Oliver Reginald Tambo (1917–1993), the anti-apartheid activist and president of the African National Congress who spent decades in exile leading the struggle against apartheid from abroad. OR Tambo is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in South Africa’s democratic history.

OR Tambo International Airport is one of only a handful of airports in the world that offers scheduled non-stop flights to all six inhabited continents — alongside Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai. This makes JNB an exceptionally well-connected hub for onward travel to Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australasia, and across Africa.

Ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the airport underwent a major renovation programme including the construction of a new Central Terminal building, a new International Pier with nine additional contact stands (four of which are Airbus A380-compatible), and the opening of the Gautrain station directly inside the terminal. The airport has a capacity to handle up to 28 million passengers annually, and processed 17.8 million passengers in the fiscal year ending March 2024, with continued recovery growth year-on-year.

Popular flight routes to O.R. Tambo International Airport include Cape Town to Johannesburg, East London to Johannesburg, Durban to Johannesburg and George to Johannesburg. Compare and book with FlySafair, South African Airways, or Airlink.

O.R. Tambo International Airport offers one of the largest and most diverse retail and dining environments of any airport in Africa, with over 100 shops and restaurants spread across its international and domestic terminals.

Duty-Free Shopping at OR Tambo
The international departure halls feature extensive duty-free shopping, including major brands in liquor, perfume, cosmetics, electronics, and luxury goods. South African speciality stores offer an excellent range of locally made crafts, jewellery, artwork, and food products — ideal for last-minute gifts.

Retail at OR Tambo International Airport includes: clothing and fashion stores, jewellery and accessories, book and magazine shops, electronics, curio and gift shops, South African craft and souvenir stores, pharmacies, and luggage retailers.

Services at OR Tambo International Airport include: pharmacies, a medical clinic (open 24 hours), post office (international terminal) and PostNet (domestic terminal), banks (FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, ABSA, and African Bank all have branches on-site), ATMs throughout all terminals, and foreign exchange bureaus.

Food & Drink at OR Tambo: The airport caters for a wide range of tastes and budgets, from quick-service fast food and coffee to sit-down restaurants offering South African and international cuisine. Bars and coffee shops are available both landside (before security) and airside (after security) in both domestic and international areas. Most outlets operate from approximately 06:00 to 22:00.

Note: Most retail shops and services are not accessible once you have passed through security into the departure gates. Purchase any essentials before going airside, and always check baggage restrictions and duty-free allowances for your destination country before shopping.

OR Tambo International Airport offers a comprehensive range of passenger facilities across its domestic and international terminals, making it one of the best-equipped airports on the continent.

Lounges at OR Tambo — Domestic Departures:

• South African Airways (SAA) Lounge — available to SAA business class passengers and frequent flyer members
• British Airways / Comair Lounge — for BA business class passengers
• BidAir Premier Lounge — open to all passengers for a fee, offering a quiet, comfortable space with complimentary snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi, and shower facilities

Lounges at OR Tambo — International Departures:

• South African Airways International Lounge
• Bidvest Premier Lounge — open to all passengers
• British Airways Lounge
• Emirates Lounge
• Air France Lounge
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

General Facilities at O.R. Tambo International Airport include:

• Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal (time-limited)
• Medical clinic (open 24 hours, staffed by GPs, dentist, optician, gynaecologist, and physiotherapist — also offering travel vaccinations)
• Banking (FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, ABSA, African Bank)
• Foreign exchange (Travelex, Bidvest Bank, Rennies, Master Currency — located in the Terminal A arrivals area)
• Post Office (international terminal) and PostNet (domestic terminal)
• Prayer rooms and interfaith facilities
• Conference and business facilities
• Self-service check-in kiosks
• Two public viewing decks (domestic and international terminal buildings)
• Disabled access facilities throughout
• Left luggage / baggage storage
• Gautrain station (inside the Central Terminal building)
• Car rental desks (all major companies)

A major infrastructure investment of over $1 billion was announced by ACSA in March 2024, which will see significant upgrades to OR Tambo’s terminals, cargo facilities, and passenger processing areas over the coming years.

OR Tambo International Airport is well-served by accommodation ranging from budget-friendly airport hotels to upmarket options in the surrounding Ekurhuleni and Sandton areas. Several hotels offer complimentary airport shuttle services.

City Lodge Hotel OR Tambo International Airport

This 3-star hotel is the most conveniently located, just a 5-minute walk from the International Arrivals terminal. Amenities include a fitness centre, boardroom, laundry service, restaurant, and outdoor pool. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout. An excellent option for early departures or late arrivals when you don’t want to travel far.

OR Tambo Guest House

This 4-star guesthouse is a short 10-minute drive from the airport, offering a more personal and relaxed stay than a large hotel. Amenities include a restaurant, outdoor pool, and airport shuttle service. Complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking are all included.

The Aviator Hotel OR Tambo International Airport

This 3-star Art Deco-inspired hotel is a quick 5-minute drive from the terminal and is popular with both leisure and business travellers. Facilities include an outdoor pool, fitness centre, conference room, and restaurant. A free airport shuttle and complimentary Wi-Fi are available. The aviation-themed design gives it a distinctive character that sets it apart from standard airport hotels.

Note: For travellers with longer layovers or connections, the Gautrain provides fast and direct access to Sandton (15 minutes) and its many hotel options, as well as Pretoria (around 40 minutes), significantly expanding your accommodation choices without the need for a taxi or shuttle.

OR Tambo International Airport has one of the most comprehensive foreign exchange offerings of any airport in South Africa, with multiple bureaus operating across both the arrivals and departures areas.

Foreign exchange providers at OR Tambo include:

• Travelex — located in the arrivals area of Terminal A
• Bidvest Bank — located in the arrivals area of Terminal A
• Rennies — located in the arrivals area of Terminal A
• Master Currency — located in the arrivals area of Terminal A

In South Africa, foreign exchange can generally be purchased up to 60 days before your departure date.

The following documents are required when purchasing foreign exchange:

• A valid passport
• Proof of travel arrangements (flight tickets and accommodation bookings)
• Original ID document or temporary resident permit
• Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement less than three months old)

Five major banks (FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, ABSA, and African Bank) also have full branches at OR Tambo, providing additional currency and banking services. ATMs from all major South African banks are located throughout the terminal buildings.

OR Tambo International Airport offers over 15,000 parking bays across multiple facilities, making it one of the largest airport parking operations in Africa. Options range from short-term drop-off bays to long-term covered parking.

Parking options at OR Tambo International Airport:

• Short-term parking — multi-storey parkades located adjacent to the terminal buildings, ideal for drop-offs and quick collections
• Long-term parking — covered carports and shaded bays for extended stays, with free shuttle services to the terminals
• Off-airport long-term parking — additional long-stay options located off-site with complimentary shuttle transfers
• XXL / Family bays — oversized parking bays for travellers with prams, available on Level 2 of P2 North
• Disabled parking bays — clearly marked, accessible bays close to terminal entrances

Parking at OR Tambo can be paid for in cash, or by Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card. Pre-booking online is available via the ACSA website at discounted rates — highly recommended during peak school holidays, December, and Easter periods when parking fills rapidly. Book your parking here.

Tip: If you are travelling into OR Tambo without a car, the Gautrain from Sandton (15 minutes) or Pretoria (approximately 40 minutes) is a faster, cheaper, and more reliable alternative to parking — particularly during peak hours when the R24 Airport Freeway can experience heavy congestion.