Quick question - ideas for 6 hr JNB Sth Africa stopover - lounges etc.

[juddles]

Hi anyone,

I have a trip soon from Perth to Brazil on South African Airways. Travelling in business, and am Star Alliance Gold.

I arrive in JNB just before 5am, and leave at 11:30am - so about 6 hours to kill. I think there is an arrivals lounge - is it any good? I haven't been through JNB for over 20 years, adn that was in economy / no status / etc.

I am someone who gets bored almost instantly - waiting destroys me. I would prefer to go through immigration, walk outside for a while and explore landside, then re-enter and explore airside, rather than just languish for 6 hrs in the departure lounge.

Any ideas? Any at all?

 

[Daver6]

I suppose you could take the Gautrain to Sandton.

 

[juddles]

I suppose you could take the Gautrain to Sandton.

I have no idea what you mean....

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Immigration lines at JNB are very “hit & miss” - so it’s a bit risky trying to venture too far away from JNB airport with a 6 layover.

If you had a few more hours up your sleeve, I would look at a tour of the World Heritage listed Craddle of Humankind or potentially a visit to the Johannesburg Lion Park as possible suggestions.

 

[nanook00]

Hi anyone,

I have a trip soon from Perth to Brazil on South African Airways. Travelling in business, and am Star Alliance Gold.

I arrive in JNB just before 5am, and leave at 11:30am - so about 6 hours to kill. I think there is an arrivals lounge - is it any good? I haven't been through JNB for over 20 years, adn that was in economy / no status / etc.

I am someone who gets bored almost instantly - waiting destroys me. I would prefer to go through immigration, walk outside for a while and explore landside, then re-enter and explore airside, rather than just languish for 6 hrs in the departure lounge.

Any ideas? Any at all?

If you don't want to stay in the terminal, head across the road to the InterContinental for breakfast and or a spa treatment/swim in the pool.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

I have no idea what you mean....

There is a train from the airport to the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, including some great places for a meal etc. But I don't think you will have enough time to take advantage; it can take well over an hour to get through security at Jhb if you are unlucky.

There is a hotel-casino called the Emperors Palace a short shuttle away. You could have breakfast and walk around the tacky complex.

The domestic side of the airport is a little livelier, there is a pleasant food court to eat at, so you could kill a little time there. It's not very interesting overall though.

 

[tgh]

You can do what I did.. walk ( you should manage about 30 k in 6 hours…) up and back up and back up and back up and backup and back
I was flying Y and paid $20us to enter the Menzies lounge 2 hours before departure where I loaded up on food and wine.. and slept all the way home….

 

[juddles]

You can do what I did.. walk ( you should manage about 30 k in 6 hours…) up and back up and back up and back up and backup and back
I was flying Y and paid $20us to enter the Menzies lounge 2 hours before departure where I loaded up on food and wine.. and slept all the way home….

I might just do that - the walking - must invest in one of those fit-bit things so I can measure the 30k's!