Time crunch transiting JNB
 

It has been over ten years since I last transited JNB but will be doing so next month.

Unfortunately our "main" tickets are PDX >JNB via Lufthansa with a separate British Airways flight to Namibia 2 hours and 20 minutes after we land---therefore I assume we'll have to pick up our bags in JNB, go through whatever formalities are required and re-check them on to Namibia---unless any Fodorites have a sneaky way around this

Must admit I've been worried and wanted to see what the latest travel tales have been. We will of course pack change of clothes and essentials in carry-on, but would prefer not to have extra hassles after the l-o-n-g flight.

Any recent experience/advice would be welcome.

Both Lufthansa British Airways are full-service airlines, so I would expect you can check your luggage through to Namibia from Portland. Just show them both sets of tickets and ask that they be tagged to your final destination.

Hi Kathie,
When I checked with the safari operator, they said "no" since the tickets were not purchased at the same time (FF through United/Star Alliance; intra-Africa through agent who works with the safari company), but it certainly would make sense to check with the horse's mouth. Thanks for the jumpstart…

Only other concern that I have gleaned from the forums is whether one's luggage is "safer" being picked up/eyeballed in Johannesburg to avoid what seems to be endemic baggage pilfering.

Any thoughts on that?

Transiting at Joburg can sometimes be a little bit of an adventure, but going from International to International is actually not that bad. If I were you, I'd probably check my bags to JNB, pick them up, then re-check them to Windhoek (or wherever you're going). When you get your bags, head to the international transit desk and not to the sutoms/immigration exit. You'll be able to get your boarding passes there, as you likely won't already have them. 2:20 is plenty of time -- you have only to go through a passport check and security. Because the security is only for international transit passengers, the lines have been short when I've used them (and I've been on that LH FRA-JNB flight several times).

Sorry -- I gave you bogus info in the previous message. On the occasions that I've gone Intl --> Int'l at JNB, I've always had only hand baggage. If you're going to check your bags, check them through to Windhoek, then the rest of my info is valid. If you check your bags only to JNB, I believe that you'll have to go through customs & immigration, which you want to avoid. (I got confused as the rollaway that I could take on the LH flight had to be checked for my Air Botswana flights.)

Hi Oregon Maiden
I flew to Joburg with Singapore Airlines and then SAA to Windhoek in May and SIN checked my bag straight through to Windhoek. This option was offered to me when I checked in.
Never had a problem with pilfering but I always wrap my bag.
The international transit at Joburg can we a slow process.
Regards
Elaine

Thanks Elaine and Don,
I will first explore whether the separately purchased sets of tickets can be combined and check luggage all the way through to Windhoek.

Otherwise, we will be prepared to sprint and/or have missing luggage I guess.