O. R. Tambo International Airport is a major international airport serving the South African cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The airport has operated since 1952 with numerous renovations having taken place over its long history.

The airport features two runways and two terminals; the international terminal A and domestic terminal B. The old terminal building is connected to the newer terminal building via the central atrium arrivals area. JNB airport is busiest airport in South Africa and the second busiest airport in Africa behind Egypt’s Cairo International Airport.

A wide variety of shopping and dining options are available for travelers throughout the airport with a large number of souvenir and gift shops being the airports best offering. During our last visit in 2023 many shops were yet to reopen post-covid, so keep this mind during your visit.

JNB is located 26km from the Johannesburg CBD and approximately 30km from Sandton and Rosebank. Travel time between the airport and these three areas is between 30 – 40 minutes. For those heading to Pretoria, expect at 50km journey from the airport. Taxis, buses and trains are available to visitors on arrival however we strongly advise that you organise a personal transfer with your hotel ahead of your arrival.

As one of the few airports in the world to serve all six inhabited continents, and one of the busiest in Africa, JNB airport is definitely in need of some upgrades. The last round of renovations may have been in enough for the then upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup, but the airport is now starting to show its age.