From parking to porters and from shopping to shuttles – a guide to the facilities and transport options available at Johannesburg’s major airport.

OR Tambo Airport, 24 kilometres northeast of the city centre, is the gateway to Joburg for most overseas visitors travelling to South Africa. More than 17 million visitors pass through here every year.

It is Johannesburg’s major airport for both international and domestic flights and hosts more than 53 airlines.

OR Tambo Airport facilities
Finding your way around OR Tambo Airport should not be difficult for the first-time visitor.

Information kiosks
If you need help, information kiosks can be found in the international Terminal A (departures hall) and in Terminal B (arrivals hall). The Gauteng Tourism Authority information desk in the international arrivals hall can also assist you with whatever information you need.

Porters
Trolleys and porter services are available at designated areas in each terminal and at the various drop-off zones. For security purposes, it is advisable to use only accredited porters who wear bright orange and navy blue uniforms and display Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) authorised permits. Any porters or related services should be paid for in local currency (South African Rand) only. (Link to tipping advice)

Shopping and extras
For those who love to shop, OR Tambo Airport features extensive duty-free shopping opportunities. International brands ranging from jewellery to toys, tobacco to sportswear and electronics can be found in most shops. Currently under construction, the main duty-free shop, the Big Five Duty Free, will be second only in size to Heathrow’s premier duty-free shop.

There is an emergency medical clinic, prayer centres, a library, hairdressers, pharmacies, luggage deposits and a press conference facility used by visiting film stars and politicians.

Disabled facilities
OR Tambo airport also has facilities for people with disabilities. There are wheelchair ramps, adapted lifts (a few with Braille), restrooms and telephones. There is also a golf cart service that operates between the terminals and the car hire areas.

Dial+27 86 7277 888, option 4, for assistance.

On all levels of the underground parking garage there are places reserved next to the elevators for the handicapped.

Banking
Full service banking, ATMs and bureau de change facilities can be found in the international arrival and departure halls. Visitors should only cash a few travellers cheques at the airport.

VAT refunds
Value Added Tax refunds can be obtained from the VAT refund counter situated in the lounge in the international departures terminal. To allow easy processing of invoices, please ensure that they are all stamped by customs before submitting them. Customs is located in the terminal public concourse

Business facilities
The airport has a business centre with facilities including fax, telephone and secretarial services.

There is also a premier conference centre located in the domestic terminal, which offers four meeting rooms seating up to 14 delegates, a seminar facility for up to 50 delegates and a conference room for up to 120 delegates.

Internet
Online facilities are available to those who need to use the internet: one in the international departures section and two in the domestic terminal – one available to the general public and one for passengers only.

There is also a wireless option in the international departures section, which allows laptop users with wireless cards to connect to the internet from anywhere in the departures lounge and from most of the restaurants in the terminal.

Hotels

One of the international hotels at the airport

• Pay-on-foot. This requires you to pay at ticketing machines found outside the airport building. The machine will validate your ticket, which can then be used to exit the parking area.
• SpeedPark. This features a pre-paid rechargeable card with extra benefits for frequent users. You will find the cards at the First Park office at the airport.

Transport from the airport

There are a variety of ways to get to your destination