Search Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport Flight Tickets

About O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport

O.R. Tambo International Airport is located in Gauteng province, in the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, near Kempton Park and around 22 km east of central Johannesburg. Opened to civil air traffic in 1952, the airport is operated by Airports Company South Africa and serves as South Africa's primary aviation gateway, supporting business travel, tourism, cargo movement and regional connectivity across Southern Africa.

The airport is structured around dedicated domestic and international terminal areas, with integrated check-in, security, retail, lounges, parking, ground transport and cargo infrastructure. With a practical annual capacity of around 28 million passengers, O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport is built to handle high volumes of domestic flights and international flights, with traffic typically rising during South African school holidays, the year-end travel period and peak tourism seasons.

Major airlines operating from the airport include South African Airways, Airlink, FlySafair, CemAir, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines and several other regional and long-haul carriers. Key direct destinations include Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, London, Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Frankfurt and Istanbul, creating steady demand for flight tickets from corporate travellers, residents, tourists and connecting passengers across the continent.

O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport to Johannesburg City Center Transport

O.R. Tambo International Airport offers several ways to reach Johannesburg city center, including municipal buses, airport shuttles, the Gautrain rapid rail service, taxis, car rental, and private transfers.

Bus

Municipal bus services from O.R. Tambo are a budget-friendly option, though frequencies can be limited and journey times depend on traffic. The average trip to central Johannesburg takes about 45 to 60 minutes.

• Metrobus route 262: O.R. Tambo area to Hillbrow via Kempton Park
• Metrobus and Putco city services from the airport bus and coach terminus
• Connections toward Johannesburg CBD stops such as Hillbrow, Park Station, and Gandhi Square

Airport Shuttle

There is no widely used Havas or Havabus-branded shuttle at O.R. Tambo; instead, travelers can use regular airport shuttle operators and hotel shuttles from the transport area. Average travel time to the city center is about 35 to 60 minutes.

• O.R. Tambo shuttle terminus
• Johannesburg CBD hotels
• Park Station area
• Sandton and Rosebank hotel zones

Metro / Tram

Johannesburg does not have an airport metro or tram, but the Gautrain rapid rail service is the fastest public transport option from O.R. Tambo. Take the airport line toward Marlboro and Sandton, then connect to Park Station for Johannesburg city center. Average travel time to Park Station is about 35 to 45 minutes.

• O.R. Tambo International Airport Station
• Marlboro Station
• Sandton Station
• Rosebank Station
• Park Station for Johannesburg CBD

Taxi

Official metered taxis are available 24/7 from O.R. Tambo International Airport and provide direct door-to-door transport to Johannesburg city center. The average journey takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

• Use accredited airport taxis from the official taxi area
• Avoid accepting rides from unsolicited drivers inside the terminal
• Confirm the fare or meter before departing

Car Rental

Car rental is convenient for travelers planning to explore Johannesburg, Gauteng, or nearby destinations independently. Major rental companies have offices at the airport, with vehicle pickup available near the terminal exits and car-rental parking area.

• Airport car-rental desks near the arrivals area
• Pickup points close to the terminal exit
• Useful for day trips, business travel, and multi-stop itineraries

Transfer

A private airport transfer is the most convenient option for a smooth arrival, especially for families, groups, late-night flights, or first-time visitors. Booking in advance is recommended so the driver can meet you at arrivals and take you directly to your accommodation in Johannesburg city center.

• Pre-booked sedan transfers
• Private minivans for groups
• Meet-and-greet service inside the arrivals hall