Planning hackCheck entry rules twice
Visa and entry rules change often – check the official government site when you book and again a week before you fly.
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✈️ Cheap flights to South Africa
Compare fares to South Africa from hundreds of airlines and travel sites – fly into O.R. Tambo Intl (JNB). Find the best time to fly, flight times from major cities and every airport.
🔥 Cheapest flights to South Africa right now
🛬 Airports in South Africa
| Code | Airport | City | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNB | O.R. Tambo Intl | Johannesburg | Main |
| CPT | Cape Town Intl | Cape Town | Main |
| GRJ | George | George | Main |
| PLZ | Chief Dawid Stuurman Intl | Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) | Main |
| KIM | Kimberley | Kimberley | Main |
| ELS | King Phalo | East London | Main |
| BFN | Bram Fischer Intl | Bloemfontein | Main |
| HLA | Lanseria Intl | Johannesburg | Main |
| DUR | King Shaka Intl | Durban | Main |
| MQP | Kruger Mpumalanga Intl | Mbombela | Main |
…and 12 more airports.
O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport are the main gateways. Land borders connect with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini and Lesotho.
📅 Best time to fly to South Africa
Best: May-September for safari (dry winter, easy wildlife spotting) and November-March for Cape Town and the coast (warm, dry summer).
Cheaper shoulder season: April and October - mild weather nationwide and fewer crowds.
Avoid: No bad time - but June-August is wet and windy in Cape Town, and December-February brings heat and rain in Kruger.
Weather by month in Cape Town
- 26°Jan☀️
- 27°Feb☀️
- 25°Mar☀️
- 23°Apr⛅
- 20°May🌧
- 18°Jun🌧
- 18°Jul🌧
- 18°Aug🌧
- 19°Sep⛅
- 21°Oct⛅
- 24°Nov☀️
- 25°Dec☀️
Average daytime highs (°C) and how rainy each month is.
⏱️ Flight times to South Africa
| Route | Distance | Flight time (nonstop) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| London → Johannesburg | 9,074 km | 11 h 35 min | |
| New York → Johannesburg | 12,831 km | 16 h 10 min | |
| Los Angeles → Johannesburg | 16,706 km | 20 h 50 min* | |
| Chicago → Johannesburg | 14,018 km | 17 h 35 min* | |
| Miami → Johannesburg | 12,971 km | 16 h 20 min | |
| San Francisco → Johannesburg | 16,979 km | 21 h 05 min* | |
| Toronto → Johannesburg | 13,369 km | 16 h 45 min* | |
| Paris → Johannesburg | 8,736 km | 11 h 10 min | |
| Frankfurt → Johannesburg | 8,690 km | 11 h 10 min | |
| Dubai → Johannesburg | 6,412 km | 8 h 25 min | |
| Delhi → Johannesburg | 8,011 km | 10 h 20 min | |
| Mumbai → Johannesburg | 6,964 km | 9 h 05 min | |
| Singapore → Johannesburg | 8,655 km | 11 h 05 min | |
| Sydney → Johannesburg | 11,023 km | 13 h 55 min |
Flight times are estimates for a nonstop flight; with a connection allow 2–5 hours more. * Very long routes usually need a stop.
📍 Where to go in South Africa
- Cape Town – A stunning city between mountain and sea, with beaches, history and food.
- Kruger National Park – One of Africa's greatest game reserves, home to the Big Five.
- Garden Route – A scenic coastal route with forests, lakes and adventure activities.
- Cape Winelands – Historic wine estates and gourmet dining in beautiful valleys.
- Drakensberg – A UNESCO World Heritage mountain range with hiking and rock art.
- Johannesburg & Soweto – South Africa's biggest city, with museums, markets and a dynamic arts scene.
💡 Flight hacks
Planning hackSlow down to save
Staying longer in fewer places cuts transport costs and unlocks weekly discounts on stays.
Money hackAlways pay in the local currency
When a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, say no – the conversion rate is almost always worse.
Flights to South Africa: questions
What is the main airport in South Africa?
The main international airport is O.R. Tambo Intl (JNB) in Johannesburg. Other airports with scheduled flights include Cape Town (CPT), George (GRJ), Gqeberha (PLZ).
How long is the flight from London to South Africa?
A nonstop flight from London to Johannesburg covers about 9,074 km and takes around 11 h 35 min. With a connection, plan for a few extra hours.
When is the best time to fly to South Africa?
May-September for safari (dry winter, easy wildlife spotting) and November-March for Cape Town and the coast (warm, dry summer).
When is the cheapest time to fly to South Africa?
Fares are usually lowest outside the peak season. Good-value months: April and October - mild weather nationwide and fewer crowds.
Do I need a visa to fly to South Africa?
It depends on your passport. See our South Africa visa & entry guide for the rules, then check with the official embassy before you book.
🌍 South Africa profile🛂 Visa & entry📰 Airline news✈️ All flight search
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