R2,5k Oliver Tambo Airport parking bill! Here's how to dodge high airport parking charges
Tips on how to navigate the high costs of airport parking in South Africa.
Image: Unsplash
Let’s be honest, airport parking prices can feel like daylight robbery. I’ll admit it: I once pretended to have lost my parking ticket after staying in the short-term lot at Cape Town International for ten days.
I sold my “lost ticket” story with a flustered face to the parking attendants - and ended up paying way less than I should have.
I was just dropping my husband off, but you know how it goes... a quick goodbye turns into a long trip, and suddenly long-term parking rates are glaring at you like an overzealous traffic warden.
TikTok user @drthomasmukala1 recently went viral for showing a parking fee of R2500 at OR Tambo for 10 days. Social media users had a field day in the comments:
@Rita: Next time come and park at my house, I also need this money
@Being Goci: Report the car as stolen then tip the police that it last seen there bazakuthathela
@Monareng_Monareng: Check the vehicle that has just parked, wait for an hour, then use its vehicle details to pay for lost ticket.
@Patrick Henrique: OR Thambo parking lot makes more money than the actual flights
But before you try your own sneaky move, here’s what you should know about smart airport parking options in South Africa.
Airport parking costs in South Africa
Airport parking costs are a gripe worldwide for anyone travelling.What many people don’t realise is that the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has created a system that allows travellers to pre-book parking via their mobile app.
Pre-book long term airport parking options:
- Cape Town International & OR Tambo (Johannesburg): Pre-book your long-stay parking on the ACSA app and get up to 60% off.
- King Shaka International (Durban): Off-site long-term parking is available through parkvia.com, which includes a meet-and-greet at the airport and comes at a fraction of the cost of on-site parking.
Current Parking Rates at South Africa’s Major Airports:
Cape Town International:
Short-Stay (Car Park 4):
- 1 Hour: R18
- 2 Hours: R36
- 3 Hours: R50
- 4 Hours: R65
- 12 Hours: R118
- 24 Hours: R160
Long-Stay (P5):
- Daily Rate (first 4 days): R150
- Daily Rate (5th day onwards): R65
OR Tambo International (Johannesburg):
Short-Term Parking (Parkade 1 Basement):
- 2–3 hours: R58
- 3–4 hours: R80
- 4–12 hours: R200
- 12–24 hours: R230
Long-Term Parking (Valet Airport Parking Services as example):
- 1 Day: R150
- 2 Days: R220
- 3 Days: R310
- 4 Days: R405
- 5 Days: R495
- 6 Days: R555
- 7 Days: R600
- 8 Days: R635
- 9 Days: R670
- 10 Days: R715
King Shaka International (Durban):
Daily Parking:
- R95 per day, then R65 per 12 hours
Multiparking:
- R180 per day
Long-Term Parking:
- 0–5 days: R310
- After 5 days: R62 per day
Preferred Central Drop-Off Zone:
- 0–30 min: Free
- 31–60 min: R30
- 1–2 hours: R48
- 2–3 hours: R55
- 3–4 hours: R75
- 4–12 hours: R190
- 12–24 hours: R210
- Every additional 12 hours: R110
IOL Travel