OR Tambo International Airport

Understand

Opened in 1952, this airport has been renamed twice prior to being called O.R. Tambo in 2006. Older publications may still refer to it by its previous names of Johannesburg International Airport or Jan Smuts. It is also known by the abbreviation ORTIA. The airport's location at around 1700m above the sea level combined with the sometimes high temperatures demand a longer takeoff run or a lower takeoff weight than average airports. Still the airport is accessible to all common airplane types. The airport is the main hub of South African flag carrier South African Airways.

Configuration

The arrival area is at the ground floor of the terminal. That's also where the passport control, the baggage claim and the customs are located. The airport is organized into two main terminals, linked by a common landside atrium: Terminal A and Terminal B. Terminal A (the northern one) is for international flights and Terminal B (the southern one) is for domestic flights. The vast majority of international check-in counters are in Terminal A, but South African Airways international passengers must check in at SAA's counters in Terminal B even though their flights will depart from Terminal A. Most airlines have their ticket counters in the departure hall at the second floor. There more than 100 E-Check-in counters, and if you’re departing on a European airline, you will likely be using those with the higher numbers. After security you will get to the gates, just like at any airport. OR Tambo's directional signage is notoriously vague and confusing, so ask for directions whenever you feel lost. Some of the signs in Terminal A imply that the fastest way to the Car Rentals area is to walk through the parkade, which is incorrect.

Baggage For anyone who arrives and looks lost, there are a large number of official and unofficial porters in the arrivals halls and outside the terminals in the area connecting the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal. The official porters hav

Getting around

The corridors, toilets and shops are accessible for disabled people too. Distances are in some cases long at the airport. According to the information signs, you should allow at least 10 minutes to get from the passport control to Gate 12.

Buy

There are more than 100 shops offering pretty much what you would expect at an international airport at reasonable prices. The international terminal has a good range of stores selling souvenirs from South Africa and other African countries. If you wish to claim back the South African VAT (14%), go to a counter in the departures hall with your receipts and goods. There you will receive a stamped document which you should bring to another counter in the gate area, where you will receive a check. Due to the fees incurred, it's not useful to claim back VAT for purchases less than about €30.

Sleep

1 Emperors Palace, 64 Jones Road, Kempton Park (When exiting the airport, keep left and follow Jones Road. At the T-junction, take a right and keep following Jones road. The Casino resort and Hotel will be on your right.), ☏ +27 11 928-1000, fax: +27 11 928-1201, [email protected]. D´Oreale Grande (in Emperors Palace near OR Tambo Int Airport), ☏ +27 11 928-1770. 5-star hotel. 2 Garden Court OR Tambo International Airport, 2 Hulley Road, Isando, ☏ +27 11 392-1062, [email protected]. 3 km from the airport, transport to/from airport and shopping centres. Don Johannesburg Int'l Airport Hotel, Electron Ave, Isando, Kempton Park, ☏ +27 11 392-6082.