Car rental OR Tambo

Loading...
Cars
Campers

Excellent based on 19,000+ reviews
Prior to our rebrand from Airport Rentals and Motorhome Republic
Budget South Africa
Avis South Africa
First Car Rental
Hertz South Africa
Tempest South Africa
Firefly South Africa

Why book a rental car with us?

Find out more about us
Save on car hire

Great value rental rates and exclusive special deals

24/7 award-winning customer support

We’re here for you when you need us

Find the best vehicle

Thousands of vehicles to choose from worldwide

Free cancellation

On most cars up to 72 hours prior to pickup

Glisten in the City of Gold with a Johannesburg car rental 

Whether you call it Johannesburg, Jozi, or Jo’Burg, this city is big, bustling and full of adventure. Officially classified as a “megacity”, the City of Gold was originally a small mining settlement in the 19th century. Today, it is the largest city in South Africa, and home to over 5.5 million people. As South Africa’s cultural hub, there’s no end to the world-class art galleries, museums, restaurants, rooftop bars, and music venues throughout the city. Find a great deal on Johannesburg Airport car hire and GoSee them all.

Find your way around Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo) Airport 

This monumental airport was originally called Johannesburg International Airport. Nowadays, it’s known as both O.R. Tambo Airport, and OR Tambo International Airport in dedication to Oliver Reginald Tambo, the former African National Congress President.  

Johannesburg Airport is situated at Kempton Park. It is currently the busiest and largest airport in South Africa and hosts over 30 million transients every year. 

Unlike Lanseria Airport which resides further away, OR Tambo Airport is situated just 12 miles or 20 minutes away from the city center, and while several transport options are available from the airport, it’s best to travel on a rental car. 

Luckily, you can choose from a wide range of the best, cheapest, and most trusted car hire companies right in the airport, with top options like Avis, Thrifty, and Bluu (previously Bidvest Car Rental.)  

Simply clear customs, and you can find all the car rental kiosks in the arrivals hall. You can also pre-book your rental directly with GoSee, so it’s ready to be picked up at the car rental concourse near the airport building as soon as you arrive.

Johannesburg city with a motorway winding through it at night.

What to know when driving a rental car in Johannesburg 

Whether you are renting a car from Johannesburg or other cities like East London, you can get the most out of your trip in South Africa with these simple but important driving tips. They will help you avoid getting pulled over, paying fines, or getting into legal trouble:  

  •  Always wear your seatbelts—they are compulsory. 
  •  Drive on the left side of the road, and give way to the right. 
  •  The use of cellphones while driving is illegal. 
  •  Pay attention to road signs for speed limits. In general, they are as follows: Urban areas are 60km,  rural roads are 100km, and highways are 120km. 
  •  Keep cash or credit cards nearby to pay for unexpected toll roads. 

Must-Do’s and Must-See’s In Johannesburg 

As the largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg is truly overwhelming with exciting activities for travelers. Whether you’re a lover of art and culture, history, politics or music, there’s a world of adventure waiting for you. And while hiring a car in Durban might mean experiencing the world-famous bunny chow, Jo’burg isn’t short on delicious food options, either. Here are just a few of our top picks. 

History & Politics 

Apartheid Museum

Opened in November 2001, the Apartheid Museum illustrates the rife apartheid era and 20th-century history of South Africa. A must-see for anyone who wants to learn about South Africa’s history on an in-depth level. 

Mandela’s House

Declared a national heritage site, this once-upon-a-time home of Nelson Mandela is now a dedicated museum honoring one of South Africa’s most important historical figures and anti-apartheid revolutionary. A very emotional experience for many guests. Make this part of your car hire OR Tambo trip.

Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct

Home to the city’s oldest women’s prison, and now a courthouse & museum, Constitution Hill is a bedrock of local history and culture that should not be missed.

johannesburg jacaranda trees suburbs

Natural Attractions 

Cradle of Humankind

This paleoanthropological site is around 50km from Jo’burg’s city center, but worth the car rental OR Tambo Airport road trip. Declared a World Heritage Site but UNESCO, the over 47,000 hectares of limestone caves are truly a marvelous site.

Johannesburg Zoo

Ever seen a white lion? Ever knew they even existed? Kill two birds with one stone and see them in person, along with hundreds of other exotic and gorgeous animals in this must-see zoo. 

Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

We won’t lie, it’s all in the name here. A gorgeous green mammoth of a park with quaint winding paths, picnicking areas, a magnificent rose garden, a scenic lake, and marvelous water features throughout, right in the heart of the concrete jungle of Johannesburg. 

Other Must-Do’s

Gold Reef City Theme Park

An action-packed amusement park filled with thrilling rides, 4D shows, water rides, rollercoasters, and the famous Gold Reef City Casino (for the parents to enjoy). And it wouldn’t be a theme park in ‘The City of Gold’ without a dedicated gold museum, either. 

Fourways Farmers’ Market

johannesburg soweto towersGourmet food, artisanal local goods, live music, delicious smells, and plenty of friendly folks are all in abundance in this thriving and lively city-center market.  

SOWETO Towers

Adventure lovers don’t want to miss this. This decommissioned power plant comes equipped with Simpson’s-esque silos that are now beautiful canvases for local graffiti and mural artists. An added bonus, you can bungy jump from them! 

Looking for more adventures in South Africa? Visit the lesser-known gem of Port Elizabeth with a hire car from GoSee! You may also opt to collect your rental vehicles from East London or Cape Town International Airport. The choice is yours!

What our customers say

The booking process is easy and the filtering is well detailed and allows one to only look at cars one is interested in.
Sean William Cummins
Very helpful and knowledgeable
Phillip
no waiting person very good and new her job
Michael Carr
Couldn't get through on Web site. Rang & Amy helped me with booking my rental car in Cairns Australia. The phone dropped out at the last minute & Amy rang me back with the final information. Great service!
Glenn Fabar
Very clear communication and professional team.
Prompt service in a different time zone.
Majella Finn
It was just straight forward and easy. The only thing, which I may have missed, is how the payment works. Do you just hold my card, or do you take the full payment straight away?

Thanks

Jason.
Jason Campbell
Easy to change my booking and find a cheaper price.
Dezlee Masters
Your staff are super calm and friendly and sorted problems for me. I love the way the double check everything!
customer
It made it easy to pay by afterpay love it
bronwyn Simon

Car hire Johannesburg Airport: Frequently asked questions

See all of our FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a car at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) Airport? 

Looking for cheap car hire? With GoSee, you can find rental cars in Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport from as low as $21 per day, or from $43 per day for larger vehicles like SUVs.

You may also choose to get luxury cars for special occasions or if you want a different experience. Book your car rental Johannesburg Airport with GoSee today!

What is the cheapest car hire company at Johannesburg OR Tambo Int Airport? 

Woodford and Bluu (previously Bidvest Car Rental) generally offer the cheapest and best car hires in Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport. 

Where are car rental companies situated at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)? 

As you clear customs and enter the arrivals hall of Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport, you will find car rental kiosks for the best and cheapest companies, including Avis, Thrifty, Budget, Bidvest, Woodford, and First Car Rental.

You can book them all ahead of time with GoSee. Then as soon as you arrive, you may proceed to the First Car Rental kiosk, for instance (if this is your chosen company), then collect your vehicle keys.

What type of documentation is required to rent a car at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport? 

To rent a car, you must be over the age of 21 with a full driver’s license, a credit card with enough funds to cover all pick up and excess fees, and your booking confirmation. Any other documentation needed will be noted on your booking page on GoSee. 

Can my rental car be delivered or collected? 

Some rental agencies offer car rental deliveries. Other car hire companies offer the service with an additional fee for the delivery. You can verify this directly on the booking page through GoSee. 

If ever you need assistance with your OR Tambo car rental booking, you may get in touch with our support team through chat, email, or phone and they will be happy to help you.

Can I extend my car rental booking? 

Some car rental companies allow extensions on current bookings, though there may be an extension fee to do so. Some suppliers don’t allow extensions at all and will require you to make a fresh booking for your car rental. You can confirm this ahead of time on GoSee when you make your booking arrangements.

Are pets allowed in my rental car?

Most car rental companies allow pets to travel with you in your vehicle, but some forbid it. You can double-check this by reading the terms and conditions for your rental booking directly through the booking page on GoSee. 

What happens if I return the car rental late? 

In most cases, you will be charged a full day rate for every day that your car rental O.R. Tambo is overdue. If the return is late due to an emergency situation, it may be covered via third-party insurance. You can verify this information when you book your hire car through GoSee. 

Can I request for a specific vehicle make and model before my rental?

With GoSee, you can choose a specific vehicle make and model as part of your booking process. Simply search for car rentals between your desired dates and take your pick from thousands of the best and cheapest rental options available.

What is the minimum rental period?

The minimum rental period varies per brand. Some suppliers allow rental for at least 24 hours, while others have a minimum of 3 days. Please double-check the rental agreement of your chosen provider for any clarifications on your OR Tambo car hire.

Car rental companies also have representatives at their kiosks that are ready to assist you when you have questions about the minimum hire duration before collecting your Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport car hire. You may also call our customer service team beforehand if you wish to know more details about this.