O.R. Tambo International Airport
O.R. Tambo International Airport is located approximately 25 kilometres east of central Johannesburg, in Gauteng province, South Africa. It serves as the country's primary international gateway and the busiest airport on the African continent. Opened in 1952 as Jan Smuts Airport, it was renamed in 2006 to honour Oliver Reginald Tambo, the anti-apartheid leader.
Overview
O.R. Tambo International Airport is located approximately 25 kilometres east of central Johannesburg, in Gauteng province, South Africa. It serves as the country's primary international gateway and the busiest airport on the African continent. Opened in 1952 as Jan Smuts Airport, it was renamed in 2006 to honour Oliver Reginald Tambo, the anti-apartheid leader.
O.R. Tambo International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
South African Airways and its low-cost affiliate Mango have historically been based here, alongside Kulula and FlySafair serving domestic routes. As Africa's foremost hub, O.R. Tambo attracts a broad range of major international carriers from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, making it a critical intercontinental connecting point.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport operates two main terminals: an international terminal handling intercontinental traffic and a domestic terminal serving South African routes, connected by an internal transit system. Two parallel runways oriented roughly east–west allow simultaneous operations. The airport functions on a 24-hour basis, supporting its role as a major transit hub for connecting flights across Africa and beyond.
Connections through JNB need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
O.R. Tambo International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports or routes, compare JNB against the destinations currently tracked from this airport, including Cape Town. The best itinerary is not always the cheapest one if it creates a difficult transfer, a tight connection or a long onward journey.
Practical guide
Using O.R. Tambo International Airport without guesswork
Plan JNB around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Johannesburg to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at JNB. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates two main terminals: an international terminal handling intercontinental traffic and a domestic terminal serving South African routes, connected by an internal transit system. Two parallel runways ori
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for JNB
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for JNB.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at JNB. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates two main terminals: an international terminal handling intercontinental traffic and a domestic terminal serving South African routes, connected by an internal transit system. Two parallel runways ori
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For O.R. Tambo International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Airlines
Airlines flying from JNB
Compare the carriers connected with JNB, including airline codes, operating brands and routes currently tracked from this airport.
Routes
Top routes from JNB
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at JNB
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersO.R. Tambo International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at JNB.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Johannesburg can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at O.R. Tambo International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at JNB depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around JNB can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in South Africa
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in South Africa.
BFN
CPTFAQ
O.R. Tambo International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- O.R. Tambo International Airport is located in Johannesburg, South Africa (Africa), at coordinates -26.130°, 28.230°.
- Its IATA code is JNB and its ICAO code is FAOR.
- O.R. Tambo International Airport serves Johannesburg, South Africa. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- O.R. Tambo International Airport operates on Africa/Johannesburg local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- O.R. Tambo International Airport sits at latitude -26.130° and longitude 28.230°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from JNB include Mango, Asman Airlines, Qatar Airways, South African Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia.
- Tracked destinations from JNB include Cape Town.
- Its address is 1 Jones Road, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1632, South Africa, the phone number is +27 11 921 6262, the official website is http://www.acsa.co.za/airports/or-tambo-international. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in South Africa. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.