Johannesburg Travel Forum

Any suggestions about how to spend 5 hours in the airport between flights?
We'd be grateful for any help.

Hi, no idea when last you were at Jhb airport, now called OR Tambo International but it has been imroved enormously over the last couple of years. 5 hours is not really enough to go out (assuming you can get back in again) so you are pretty much stuck in then transit area. The business class lounges are good to very good. The Star Alliance lounge will be upgraded soon and then other option if your frequent flyer level does not allow access or if you are flying economy is to use the Diners Club lounge (free access to members and a nominal payment for non members). The shopping there is world class and there is a very decent Exclusive Books shop as well.
If leaving the airport is an option the time of day will determine if it is actually an option. Around peak hour traffic periods it is not, believe me.

If you are going to be in the "international" hall waiting for 5 hours i reckon that you will be far better off than waiting at domestic- Unfortunately we do not have the luxuries of movie theatres or anything like that - the best you can do is getting into a "lounge" I am sure that yo can pay and entrance fee to get into the "Rennies" lounge -otherwise stay in the terminal and shop, chill. people watch- Its clean and modern and very pleasant - there are some hotels within the airport - so i guess a renting a room for a few hours may also be an option - City Lodge is probrably your least expensive.
Good luck

Yep, gotta agree, walk down to domestics. More shopping, food and the internet (top left hand side of the building). Nothing really much to see near the airport.

Have a great holiday.

All the best,

DAO

thanks for your replies. Just a bit confused by the last one, which seems to contradict the one above it. Which is the best part to spend time in - domestic or international?

Also, have read some reports that there's a lot of walking to do from international arrivals to domestic departures (we're flying in from Greece, flying on to Cape Town)and that the signs are confusing. How long should I allow to get to dom. departures once I've collected my baggage?

Thanks for any further help...

Hi again. You obviously have no option, you can not spend the time in international departures as you are flying on to CT. The distance between International and Domestic terminals is no more than 5 to 10 minute walk apart. When you leave the arrivals hall in the International Terminal turn left and the domestic terminal is about 200 m down on your left hand side, impossible to get lost.

Hi- ok now that i see you are flying in from greece- you will land and once you reciev ypur baggage (they cannot check it through to Cape Town) as Johannesburg is your first point of entry. collect bags- get a trolley (free) and walk out the building left and you will see signs to get you to domestic.

Once there you can try get into a "lounge" or just sit and relax- perhaps if you are lucky yuo can try get on another earlier flight to cape town, even show your ticket to another domestic airline and they may be able to take the ticket over and get you on an earlier flight - I would definately try organize an earlier flight - johannesbur-g cape Town flights are VERY regular!!!