OR Tambo International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

The Gautrain takes you from OR Tambo to Sandton in 22 minutes, but the train doesn't run all night, and for anyone with a dawn flight it makes sense to sleep inside the airport: two hotels are reached on foot from the terminals, one without going outdoors. Those staying a few days have little reason to remain in Kempton Park: Sandton, with shops, offices and restaurants, is linked by train with no changes. Here the wait at security for international flights is long, so three hours of margin are worth it even for those sleeping a few steps from check-in. For Pretoria or Soweto you set off from the same train or from a taxi in any case.

At the airport

From the InterContinental it is a few minutes' walk to the international arrivals hall; the City Lodge is above multi-storey car park 2, connected to the terminal and the Gautrain station without going outdoors.

Best for: Dawn flights, night layovers and late arrivals, when every minute of transfer eats into sleep.

Pros

A few minutes' walk to check-in, with no taxi or shuttle
The City Lodge is next to the Gautrain station for Sandton

Cons

Only terminals, car parks and car rentals around: no evening strolls
For Sandton or Soweto you still need a train or taxi of 22-40 minutes

Recommended hotels in this area

InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport: In front of the international arrivals hall, about 70 metres away; soundproof windows and a heated indoor pool on the top floor, useful between two flights.
City Lodge Hotel OR Tambo International Airport: Within the airport complex, above multi-storey car park 2: 365 rooms, next to the Gautrain station and the terminal, with a covered walkway.

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Airport area, Kempton Park

Airport area · The Southern Sun O.R. Tambo has a free shuttle running 24 hours a day every 15 minutes, leaving from the shuttle terminal, behind the InterContinental.

Best for: Those who want a more complete property than the two on-site hotels, with a pool and spa, while staying 500 metres from the terminals.

Pros

The free shuttle runs at night and comes every 15 minutes
Outdoor pool, spa and a fitness center open around the clock

Cons

The shuttle is taken from the bus terminal, with a walk from the arrivals hall
Area of roads and interchanges: for dinner you stay in the hotel or at the airport

Recommended hotels in this area

Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport: 500 metres from the terminals with a free shuttle 24 hours a day; outdoor pool, spa and restaurant, for long stops between two flights.

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Sandton, Gautrain station

Near the airport link · The Gautrain links OR Tambo to Sandton in 22 minutes, with no changes; a taxi or apps such as Uber and Bolt take 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.

Best for: Those staying several nights: shops, offices and restaurants on foot, and the direct train to the airport.

Pros

A single train from the airport, with the station a few steps from the hotel
Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square are about 3 minutes' walk away

Cons

The train doesn't run all night: dawn flights need a taxi
Office district, almost dead in the evening outside the shopping centres

Recommended hotels in this area

Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton: Opposite Sandton Gautrain station, about 55 steps from the exit; 220 rooms, an outdoor pool and a gym, two minutes from Sandton City.

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