Cheap flights to Johannesburg

Finding cheap flights to Johannesburg

Johannesburg is South Africa's largest city and the gateway to Kruger National Park, Pretoria and the rest of southern Africa. Non-stop flights leave Heathrow every night.

Flights from UK airports to Johannesburg

We book flights to Johannesburg from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Flying from your nearest airport can save the trip to London, and we compare it with London fares so you can see the difference.

Arriving in Johannesburg

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is east of Johannesburg. The Gautrain runs from the airport to Sandton in about 15 minutes and on to Pretoria, and it is the easiest way into the city. It is also the main hub for flights on to Cape Town, Durban, Kruger and neighbouring countries.

Direct and one-stop flights

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly non-stop overnight from Heathrow to Johannesburg in about 11 hours. One-stop options include Emirates through Dubai and Qatar Airways through Doha, which are popular from Manchester, Birmingham and Scotland.

Baggage allowance

Most economy fares to Johannesburg include at least one checked bag. If you add a flight to a safari lodge, the small plane may have a lower limit, so we check every flight in your trip.

Best time to fly to Johannesburg

The southern hemisphere seasons are the reverse of the UK. June to August is the dry winter and the best time for game viewing in Kruger. November to March is summer, with afternoon thunderstorms. Fares are highest at Christmas, Easter and in the UK summer holidays, and lowest from late January to May.

Visas and entry

British passport holders can usually visit South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after you leave and have at least two blank pages for stamps, or you can be refused boarding. Entry rules can change, so check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice before you book and again before you fly.

Tips for booking

South Africa is only one or two hours ahead of the UK, so the overnight flight means little jet lag. Fares are lowest from late January to May, outside the school holidays.

Airlines we book to Johannesburg

We regularly book British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and Qatar Airways. Tell us your preferred airline, or let us find the best value on your dates.