Things to know

• Airport Clinic and Travel Vaccination Centre (Ground Floor, New Domestic Arrivals Terminal), +27 11 921-6609. GP, dentist, vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis 
• ATMs (Located at international arrivals and the shopping level in the Domestic Terminal). All of South Africa's major banks are represented, including Standard, Nedbank, and ABSA. 
• Baggage storage (Below International arrivals on the upper level of the underground parkade, near the main lift lobby.). Open 24 hours. R50 per item for the first day, R40 thereafter. 
• Baggage wrapping in plastic (Below International arrivals on the upper level of the underground parkade, near the main lift lobby.). Open 24 hours. R35 per item. 
• Foreign exchange (Located in International Arrivals Terminal). ABSA, American Express, Rennies and Master Currency has outlets here. 

• VAT Refunds (Mezzanine level, International Departures, just after you have passed passport control),  +27 11 394-1117, e-mail: [email protected]. 

Connections

OR Tambo does not have a direct link between the secure arrival area of Terminal A and the secure departure area of Terminal B. As in the United States, you will have to pass through customs and immigration if OR Tambo is your first stop in SA. Also, note that Terminal B does not have jetways or aircraft parking spots within walking distance for the domestic E Gates. In other words, the E Gates are actually a tarmac-level bus terminal for buses that take you to aircraft sitting at very remote parking spots.

Thus, to be assured of a smooth connection from international to domestic SA flights, you need to incorporate a minimum of at least two hours to pass through immigration control upon arrival at Terminal A, retrieve your baggage and go through customs, check your baggage again at the Connecting Flights counter on your left after exiting Customs, walk over to Terminal B departures, pass through Terminal B security control, and then walk to your gate. Of course this does not apply in the case your baggage is already checked through to the final destination. Then you may then have to take a bus ride if your aircraft was assigned to an E gate.

Finally, the Connecting Flights counter is small and understaffed and lines tend to accumulate quickly. It's not a mere bag drop. They will have to look at your papers just as when you checked in. Since you will have to pass through Terminal B security anyway, it may be faster to take your baggage over to the domestic check-in counters if the lines are long and your connection period is very tight.

Disabled facilities

In the multi-storey parkade at ORTIA there are disabled parking bays at all levels while the airport itself features special lifts, ramps, wheelchairs and toilets for the disabled.

Passengers who require assistance boarding and disembarking from aircraft can make arrangements with the relevant airline when booking.

Medical

The Airport Medical Clinic offers emergency treatment 24 hours a day, as well as:

• Quick care and casualties;
• General practitioners;
• Travel vaccinations;
• Malaria prophylaxis;
• Aviation medicals;
• Obesity treatment;Botox treatments;
• Acupuncture;
• Dentist;
• Optician;
• Gynaecologist;
• Physiotherapist;
• Executive and employment medicals;
• Counselling to combat stress and to stop smoking;
• ECGs;
• Hearing, pregnancy and cholesterol tests.

Contact details:

Tel: +27 (0)11 921 6609
Hotline: +27 (0)82 262 1490
Website: www.travelclinic.co.za

Post office

​There is a post office at the international arrivals terminal, and you will find Postnet on the shopping level of the domestic terminal.

Chapel and prayer rooms

Christian Chapel
O.R. Tambo International Airport has a Christian Chapel open for prayer and quiet time to all passengers and airport staff 24/7. The chapel holds prayer and worship services on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 13h00. An evening service is held every second Wednesday at 19h00. The Chapel is situated on level 2 at the far side of Terminal B just above our clinic. For more info contact Trish on 0711640927 or 011 975 8491 or refer to the Chapel notice board

Muslim prayer facility
Our Muslim prayer facility is open 24/7 for prayer and quiet time.  There is a Friday prayer service held just after noon with both a male and female facility. This facility is located in the basement parkade closest to Terminal A arrivals.

Banking

Branches for the major banks in South Africa are located at O.R. Tambo International Airport as follows:

• First National Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank: Terminal B - retail area
• ABSA and African Bank: Terminal A - arrivals area

Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found in the following locations:

• Standard Bank-, FNB-, ABSA- and Nedbank ATMs are available in the food court area next to Wimpy and Spur
• Standard Bank-, FNB-, ABSA- and Nedbank ATMs may be found on the retail level in the bank area
• Standard Bank-, FNB- and Nedbank ATMs are located in Terminal A departures (next to Wandie’s restaurant)
• Two ABSA ATMs may be found next to the ABSA bank branch in Terminal A arrivals
• One Standard Bank ATM is available next to Khulula/BA/Comair ticket sales

Telephone

Public telephones

There are public telephones in all terminals. Telephone services outlets can be found in the public concourse of the international arrivals terminal and in the holding lounge of the international departures terminal.

Mobile phone rentals

A Vodacom Superstore, on the shopping level of the domestic terminal, sells mobile phones, airtime top-ups and mobile phone accessories. The international terminal boasts a number of mobile phone shops and service providers.

Restrooms

There are restrooms in all terminal buildings. Baby-changing facilities and other amenities for young children are available in most ladies restrooms.