OR Tambo International Airport Station is an elevated station with platforms situated on a viaduct. The Station concourse is directly linked to the departures level of the adjacent new central terminal building, one level below.

World class airport service

• It will take only 15 minutes between OR Tambo International Airport Station and Sandton Station.
• The needs of airport passengers carrying luggage are accommodated in the station design features at OR Tambo and Sandton stations.
• The layout of airport coaches is designed to consider passengers with luggage.
• The airport service is modelled after the operations of a select group of global cities that successfully offer rapid rail links to international airports. An example is the Heathrow Express.

A typical train on the airport link (west - east) will comprise:

• Two airport rail coaches: sitting passengers with space for luggage.
• Two to six general passenger coaches: sitting and standing passengers.
• General commuter coaches on the airport link will not be accessible for airport passengers. Therefore, daily commuters using the general passenger services will only be able to embark or disembark at Rhodesfield, Marlboro or Sandton stations.
• Passengers travelling in the special airport cars will notice that the doors will remain closed at intermediate stations such as Rhodesfield Station and Marlboro Station.

Ticketing

• Airport passengers will be able to use preloaded smart cards at self-help ticket vending machines or a manned ticket office in order to pay for train trips and/or bus trips. Ticket products can be loaded on to the smart card via cash, debit cards or credit cards.
• Contactless technology means that smart cards will be scanned electronically when they are swiped past access readers.
• Smart card electronic ticketing requires only one ticket for the train, bus and parking
• Smart card single ticket media that will be accepted by most public transport systems within Gauteng is currently under development.

Timetables

• Electronic information display systems at stations as well as in trains are provided.
• Passengers will receive real-time information on expected train arrival and departure times against the schedules.
• Five trains per hour per direction during peak periods week days (a train every 12 minutes).
• Three trains per hour per direction during off-peak periods (a train every 20 minutes).
• Two trains per hour per direction during week-ends and public holidays (a train every 30 minutes).
• Train services will commence daily at 05:30 and the last train will depart not earlier than 20:30.

Security

• Tight security on trains and stations through access control and electronic surveillance (over 650 CCTV cameras).
• Security officers will be on guard and will maintain a visible presence at stations and inside trains.
• Gautrain’s entire 80 kilometre rail network will be securely fenced with a 2,4 metre high security fence that will be regularly patrolled and maintained to prevent vandalism and unwanted entries.
• Access control: only valid ticket holders will have access to station paid areas and platforms.