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O.R. Tambo International Airport is the busiest aviation hub in Africa, accommodating up to 28 million passengers annually. Located in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, the airport is divided into two terminals: Terminal A for international flights and Terminal B for domestic flights. The airport is well-equipped with modern facilities, lounges, and a wide range of services, ensuring smooth operations. With a central location, it is easily accessible from Johannesburg and surrounding areas. The airport offers ample parking options, including short-stay, long-stay, multi-story, premium, and basement parking. For those with a lengthy layover, there are retail opportunities, duty-free shopping, and dining and smoking areas. It is recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours early for international travel, as clearing customs can be time-consuming due to long lines.
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What You'll Learn
- Terminals: There are six terminals, divided into domestic and international sections
- Customs: All passengers arriving or departing from Terminal A need to clear customs
- Transport: The airport is accessible by Uber and has parking options for short and long stays
- Amenities: The airport has lounges, retail stores, dining areas, and smoking areas
- Location: OR Tambo Airport is located in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
Terminals: There are six terminals, divided into domestic and international sections
O.R. Tambo International Airport is the busiest aviation hub in Africa, accommodating up to 28 million passengers every year. The airport is divided into six terminals, with Terminals A and B dedicated to domestic flights and Terminal C catering to international travellers. These terminals are well-equipped with modern facilities, lounges, and a wide range of services, ensuring smooth operations for travellers.
Terminal A, also known as the northern terminal, handles international flights. Here, you'll find a variety of check-in counters for different airlines, with most of them located on the second floor. Keep in mind that South African Airways international passengers must check in at the designated counters in Terminal B, even though their flights depart from Terminal A. Terminal A also has a range of lounges, some of which are exclusive to card-carrying members, while others are accessible to all travellers.
Terminal B, the southern terminal, caters to domestic flights within South Africa. This terminal boasts an impressive five lounges, providing comfort and convenience for travellers. Similar to Terminal A, some lounges in Terminal B may require specific memberships, but there are also options available for all passengers.
While the terminals are generally well-organised and efficient, it's worth noting that clearing customs in Terminal A can be a time-consuming process due to long lines. Therefore, it's advisable to allow for ample time when departing on international flights.
In addition to the terminals, O.R. Tambo International Airport offers a range of parking options, including long-stay, multi-story, premium, and basement parking to suit different traveller needs. The airport is also easily accessible by public transportation, with bus lines and the Gautrain express rail system providing connections to Johannesburg and surrounding areas.
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Customs: All passengers arriving or departing from Terminal A need to clear customs
O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, is the continent's busiest aviation hub, accommodating up to 28 million passengers annually. The airport is divided into two terminals: Terminal A for international flights and Terminal B for domestic flights.
Customs at Terminal A
All passengers arriving or departing from Terminal A need to clear customs. This process can be inefficient, with long lines, so it is important to arrive at the airport with ample time before your outbound flight.
Upon arrival at Terminal A, you will need to proceed to the customs area, which is located near the baggage reclaim and security and passport control areas. Here, you will be required to declare any goods that are prohibited or restricted from entering or leaving the country. These may include items such as:
- Alcohol and tobacco products, which are available at discounted prices in the duty-free shops within the terminal.
- Certain food items, such as fresh produce, meat, and dairy products, which may be subject to import restrictions to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
- Medications and pharmaceuticals, which must be accompanied by a valid prescription for controlled substances.
- Currency and financial instruments, with restrictions on the amount of local and foreign currency that can be brought into or taken out of the country.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the specific customs regulations and restrictions before your travel to ensure a smooth clearance process. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) provides detailed information on their website, including contact details for the Customs Office at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
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Transport: The airport is accessible by Uber and has parking options for short and long stays
O.R. Tambo International Airport is located in Kempton Park, about 22 kilometres (14 miles) northeast of Johannesburg's city centre. It is easily accessible from Johannesburg and surrounding areas. The airport is also accessible via the Gautrain rapid transit system, which connects the airport to Sandton, Pretoria, and other major destinations.
The airport has various parking options for different needs. There are 8-9 car parks within the airport precinct, with a total of 11,500 public parking bays. Short-stay parking is available for quick stops, pick-ups, and drop-offs, with the first 20 minutes being free of charge. There is also multi-story parking located close to the terminal, which is convenient for short to medium stays.
For longer stays, O.R. Tambo offers long-stay parking options, both on-site and off-site. On-site long-stay parking includes undercover and shaded options, while off-site parking is available at a lower rate with shuttle services to and from the terminal. Basement parking is another option, offering a secure and sheltered place for vehicles located beneath the terminal.
If you prefer a more premium experience, there is also premium parking available with limited spaces, offering extra convenience and proximity to the terminal. Valet parking and Meet & Greet services are also offered at the airport.
You can easily navigate and compare the different parking options using online tools, which allow you to filter and review based on your preferences, such as parking duration, valet services, and more.
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Amenities: The airport has lounges, retail stores, dining areas, and smoking areas
OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, is known for being clean and efficient. It is divided into two terminals: Terminal A for international flights and Terminal B for domestic flights. The airport has a variety of amenities, including lounges, retail stores, dining areas, and smoking areas.
The airport has a total of 14 lounges, with five in Terminal B and nine in Terminal A. Five of these lounges can be accessed by all travellers, regardless of their airline or ticket class. These lounges can be booked online in advance for a fee. In addition to these, there are several airline-only premium lounges.
The retail options at OR Tambo International Airport are diverse, ranging from newsagents and bookshops to designer clothing outlets and massage services. The airport also has a duty-free mall, located in Terminal A, which houses stores like Big Five Duty Free, offering discounted prices on items such as cosmetics, perfumes, watches, and jewellery.
The airport provides a variety of dining options, including restaurants, bars, fast food outlets, and coffee shops. These can be found across the four levels of the passenger terminal.
For smokers, there are designated smoking areas within the airport. There is a smoking area in Terminal A airside, but it closes at 8 pm, with entrances refused after 7:30 pm. There are also private smoking lounges, such as Lounge 27, located on the upper floor. Additionally, there are smoking rooms inside certain restaurants, such as Airport Craft Brewers Restaurant and Piece A Pizza, but a purchase may be required to access them.
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Location: OR Tambo Airport is located in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
OR Tambo International Airport is located in Kempton Park, in the Ekurhuleni District of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is situated 23 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg's city centre, or 22 kilometres northeast according to another source, and 46 kilometres south of Pretoria. The airport's GPS coordinates are 26°08′21″S 028°14′46″E, and it sits at an elevation of 1,694 metres (5,558 feet) above mean sea level.
OR Tambo is easily accessible from Johannesburg and surrounding areas. The airport is well-equipped with ample parking options, including long-stay, multi-story, premium, and basement parking. It is also possible to book parking in advance online.
The airport is divided into two terminals: Terminal A for international flights and Terminal B for domestic flights. However, some sources mention that there are six terminals, with Terminals A and B dedicated to domestic flights and Terminal C catering to international travellers. The terminals are spread over four levels and are linked by a central atrium, making it easy to walk between them.
OR Tambo offers a range of facilities, including retail outlets, duty-free shopping, lounges, dining, and smoking areas. There are also six hotels within the airport precinct.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you get to the airport 3 hours early for international travel. For outbound flights, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to clear customs as the lines are often long.
You can get to the airport by car, either driving yourself and parking in one of the many parking options, or getting a ride through a service like Uber.
OR Tambo Airport offers ample parking options, including long-stay, multi-story, premium, and basement parking.
After landing and deboarding, make your way to Immigration. Then, go to the baggage carousels to collect your bags and follow the signs to Exit. You will then pass through Customs and proceed to the International Arrivals Hall. From there, follow the signs for Domestic Check-in.
