Traveling through Johannesburg Airport with a baby meant an overnight stay, baggage wrapping, security concerns, and a long layover before flying to Port Elizabeth.
Table of Contents
Main Journey
We unexpectedly had to spend the night in Johannesburg, South Africa, due to our complicated flight schedule. Arriving in one of the world’s most dangerous cities at midnight, with a baby, was not part of the plan.
Trying to stay calm, we walked off the plane pretending everything was fine, but deep down, we were nervous. Just as we tried to reassure ourselves, my phone buzzed. It was a warning message from the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“Beware of muggings inside the airport. Criminals may follow you.”
That was enough to send chills down my spine.
We needed to find a safe place to stay for the night.
From our quick research at Nairobi Airport earlier, we already knew that:
- Hotels inside the airport were too expensive.
- Budget hotels outside the airport were risky—many travelers reported being surrounded and robbed the moment they stepped out.
We couldn’t afford to take any chances, especially with Sweetie.
At this point, she had already fallen asleep in her stroller.
As we entered the airport, the big “Welcome” sign at the entrance gave a momentary sense of relief.
Events
1. Searching for a Safe Place to Stay
First, we decided to check out the airport lounge, hoping it would be a secure place to rest. But as we reached the entrance, we saw a sign:
“Closed after 10 PM.”
We had no choice but to keep moving.
Exiting the baggage claim area was our biggest concern—once outside, we’d be in the general airport area where safety wasn’t guaranteed.
Luckily, we found a solution. Before fully exiting into the city zone, we noticed a connecting path leading to domestic gates. Only passengers with tickets could enter, meaning it was much safer than the general airport area.
We immediately took that route.
It was eerily quiet, with hardly anyone around. But just beyond the entrance, we could see a crowd of people in the general airport zone.
“No way are we going out there.”
Instead, we spotted a sign for City Lodge Hotel, which was still within the airport’s transit area. It seemed accessible without stepping outside, so we made our way there.
Pushing our luggage cart 500 meters through the parking area, we finally reached the hotel.
“This place is way nicer than we need… but we don’t have a choice.”
It cost around 180,000 KRW ($140 USD) per night, much more than we wanted to spend. But safety comes first.
As soon as we entered our clean, comfortable room, exhaustion hit. But since we had a bathtub, we decided to make the most of it—after days of rough travel, a hot soak was exactly what we needed.
2. Domestic Flight to Port Elizabeth
Our flight to Port Elizabeth wasn’t until 6:30 PM, so we stayed in our hotel room as long as possible before checking out.
The walk back to the airport felt just as unsettling as the night before. Even during the day, the eerie atmosphere of Johannesburg Airport was hard to shake.
At the domestic terminal, the first floor was filled with shops and restaurants, while the check-in counters were on the second floor.
We needed cash, so our first stop was an ATM to withdraw South African Rand. Then, we decided to find a place to eat and kill time.
3. Finding a Baby-Friendly Restaurant
While exploring the airport, we came across a family restaurant with a play area.
Perfect.
As we waited for our food, a kind staff member brought coloring books and crayons for Sweetie. She was delighted and started coloring happily.
The restaurant had an interesting Western Native American-themed decor, with dim lights creating a cozy atmosphere.
One great thing about South Africa? Meat is cheap! Even at this family restaurant, we were able to enjoy a satisfying meal for a reasonable price.
After eating, Sweetie headed straight to the play area, running around and having a blast.
We tried to stretch our time at the restaurant, but there were still hours left until boarding.
4. Airport SIM Card & Security Concerns
To make use of our remaining time, we decided to buy a SIM card.
In South Africa, Vodacom is the most popular provider. We purchased:
- SIM card: 100 Rand
- 1GB data: 149 Rand
- Total: 249 Rand (approximately 22,000 KRW or $17 USD)
Even after that, we still had time left. So, we checked in our bags early and decided to head to the airport lounge for some peace.
However, just as we were about to check in, an airline staff member warned us about luggage theft.
“Boarding is at 5:40 PM. If you check in your bags now (at 4 PM), they’ll sit downstairs unattended, and they might get stolen. Wait until after 5 PM to check them in.”
What?!
Since we had no choice, we took our luggage back and waited.
We also noticed baggage wrapping stations everywhere. Clearly, this was something travelers took seriously.
Even the Korean government travel advisory recommended wrapping luggage.
So, we did. 80 Rand ($7) per bag.
Finally, we checked in our wrapped luggage, crossed our fingers, and headed to the lounge.
Tips for Traveling with a Baby
- Prioritize safety over budget when choosing accommodations.
- Stay inside the airport if possible. Avoid budget hotels outside, as they may be unsafe.
- Keep your baby entertained during long layovers.
- Look for family restaurants with play areas to help pass the time.
- Pack coloring books, snacks, and small toys to keep them occupied.
- Be extra cautious with luggage handling.
- Use baggage wrapping services if the airport is known for theft.
- Keep important items in carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage.
Local Travel Tips
- Johannesburg Airport can be dangerous.
- Avoid leaving the airport if possible. If you must go out, arrange trusted transportation in advance.
- Flight schedule changes are common.
- Always check your flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport.
- Be mindful of airport scams.
- Beware of fake airport staff or “helpful” strangers trying to distract you.
Travel Reflections
After 27 hours of travel, we finally arrived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
It felt surreal.
A hotel staff member was waiting to pick us up, making our arrival stress-free.
As we stepped into our charming and cozy guesthouse, a wave of relief washed over us.
But we couldn’t relax just yet.
Tomorrow, our South Africa-Namibia road trip would begin, and we still had a lot to prepare.
For now, we just enjoyed the moment.
“Welcome to South Africa, Julie and Sweetie. We made it!”
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