Is a 2½ hr layover in Johannesburg long enough?
JNB · Johannesburg International · Johannesburg, South Africa
Probably Enough
Ample time for any connection type, including a leisurely walk and potential queue at immigration.
Quick Stats
3
20m
20m
South African Airways
Minimum Connection Times
45min
✓60min
✓75min
✓90min
✓AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
Tips for 2½ hr Connections
Budget extra time if arriving internationally, as immigration queues can be long and unpredictable, particularly for flights from Europe and the Middle East arriving in clusters.
Domestic-to-domestic transfers are the smoothest connection type at JNB, often not requiring you to leave secure areas.
If your connection involves switching between Terminal A and Terminal B, follow signage carefully as the walkway route through the Central Terminal Building is not always intuitive.
South African Airways and Airlink passengers connecting on the same ticket usually have baggage transferred automatically, but always confirm at check-in.
Avoid tight connections around 6-9am and 5-8pm when both domestic and international banks overlap and queues peak.
Busyness — Connection Risk
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
Getting Between Concourses
Terminal A and Terminal B are connected via the Central Terminal Building by an indoor walkway with moving walkways in sections, taking roughly 10-15 minutes at a normal pace. Passengers transferring from international to domestic (or vice versa) must clear immigration/customs and pass through security screening again, which is where most delays occur rather than the physical walk itself.
Is 2½ hours enough for a layover at JNB?
Ample time for any connection type, including a leisurely walk and potential queue at immigration.
Other Layover Durations at JNB
AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER