Johannesburg Gauteng, South Africa Travel Guide
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB): South Africa's largest and busiest airport. It is the main international and domestic gateway for Johannesburg and Gauteng. Most international travelers arrive here.
Numerous international carriers operate flights to JNB, including South African Airways (SAA), British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, The National flag carrier airline of turkey, Delta, and United. These airlines connect Johannesburg to major global hubs.
Flight prices change. Peak season (Dec-Jan, Easter) has increased demand and prices. Shoulder seasons (Apr-May, Sep-Oct) often offer better value. Winter (Jun-Aug) can present lower prices.
JNB features duty-free shops, a wide array of restaurants, airline lounges, car rental desks, currency exchange, ATMs, and pharmacies. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Lanseria (HLA), while smaller, provides fundamental services including car rental, dining options, and restricted shopping.
Direct flights to JNB are from major global hubs like London, Dubai, Doha, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Atlanta, New York, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi.
For peace of mind on your first arrival, pre-book a shuttle or plan to use the Gautrain from O.R. Tambo. This helps avoid potential scams from unofficial taxi drivers.
Shosholoza Meyl: This long-distance passenger rail service connects Johannesburg's Park Station to major cities like South Africa and Durban. While scenic, services can be infrequent and are prone to delays. Safety and reliability concerns exist for general tourist travel.
Numerous intercity bus companies operate from Johannesburg Park Station, offering extensive connections across South Africa and to neighboring countries.
Foreign visitors legally require a valid national driving license (with a photograph) and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Secure your IDP before you leave your home country. South Africa drives on the left side of the road. Book car rental via DiscoverCars.com.
Major highways are generally well-maintained. However, secondary roads, notably in rural places, can have varying quality and frequent potholes. Be aware of reckless driving, specifically by minibus taxis, which can be erratic.
Not applicable to Johannesburg. The city is landlocked and lacks sea or access to the river for ferry travel or cruise services.
Not applicable. Johannesburg does not have major navigable rivers for public transportation.
Johannesburg is a landlocked city, therefore sea or river arrivals are not applicable to this destination.
Major navigable rivers for public transport do not exist in Johannesburg, making river transportation irrelevant.
All travel to and from Johannesburg occurs via air or land ways of getting around.
There are no exit fees for international air travel from South Africa beyond those typically covered by your airfare. Any airport taxes are usually incorporated into your fare.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) has many check-in counters, self-service kiosks, baggage drop-off points, immigration, security screening, extensive duty-free shopping, a wide range of restaurants, and airline lounges. Currency exchange services are also available.
Always confirm your flight status and terminal information before heading to the airport. This avoids last-minute rush.
Ample time for check-in, baggage drop, security screening, and immigration procedures is important, as queues can be long.
Johannesburg's roads can experience significant congestion, therefore plan travel to the airport accordingly.
Confirm your flight status and terminal information before heading to the airport. Allow extra time it takes to get to the airport, especially during peak traffic hours, as Johannesburg's roads can experience significant congestion.
