Cheap Flights to South Africa

South Africa overview

When is the best time to book a flight to South Africa?

Peak season:

The country is generally an all-year destination to visit but there are certain variances depending on where you are. November to January are some of the busiest times to visit making cheap flights to South Africa very difficult to find. Johannesburg normally stays busy until February so plan accordingly to secure cheaper flight tickets. There can be multiple festivals on scattered across the country so make sure to check before you book your flights to South Africa as events and festivals will drive up the cost of your flight tickets.

Off Season:

October is probably the quietest time to book cheap flights to South Africa, although this varies around the country. The weather stays warm and sunny but due to the low amount of tourists cheap flight tickets and deals on accommodation are more readily available. It’s important to book your flights to South Africa early on to ensure you make a saving as even in the quieter times of the year prices can be high.

When is the best time to book a flight to South Africa?

It’s advisable to secure your flights to South Africa two, three or even four months in advance. During festivals and busy months you’ll struggle to find cheap flight tickets so the earlier in advance you can book the better. Once you’ve narrowed down your destination it’s worth having a quick check to see if any events are taking place as they’ll make it harder for you to find the cheap flights to South Africa. If you can be flexible with your dates and ultimately your final destination then you can find the cheapest flights to South Africa. If you decide on Cape Town then don’t worry too much about which side of the plane to sit on as both sides offer spectacular views of the city, just make sure to avoid sitting next to the wings.

How long is the flight to South Africa?

Flights from London to Cape Town: 11 hours 30 minutes

Flights from Manchester to Johannesburg: 13 hours 35 minutes

Flights from Birmingham to Cape Town: 13 hours 55 minutes

Flights from Glasgow to Johannesburg: 14 hours 10 minutes

Which airlines operate flights to South Africa?

The specific airlines that might be on offer for your flight to South Africa depend a lot on where you are planning to go. However the likely contenders are Virgin Atlantic, South African, British Airways, and Iberia. If you want comfort and don’t mind paying a slightly higher price on your flight tickets then an airline like Virgin Atlantic would be a good choice. They provide great inflight entertainment and comfortable seating. British Airways are also a comfortable choice and they offer complimentary food and drinks on all of their flights. Once you’ve decided on where you want to go and are ready to book your flights to South Africa, compare a couple of dates and airlines to see who offers you the best value for your money.

How to get from the airport to the city centre?

Cape Town Airport:

The most cost effective way to travel to the city centre is by using the MyCiti bus. It runs every 20 minutes and operates for most of the day. It’s a lot cheaper than the taxi alternative and is reliable and less crowded than the standard buses. Taxis are available from outside of the airport but they’ll set you back around R300-R400. Make sure to agree on a fee before you get in the taxi though to avoid paying more than necessary.

Johannesburg Airport:

A safe and affordable option to get to the city is the Reya Vaya. It is a bus dedicated for transport between the city and the airport and you can find it outside the arrival Terminal. You can choose from different bus options too but the Reya Veya is a lot more reliable. You can also grab a taxi if you have a lot of baggage or if you’re in a rush. You can grab them from outside of the airport but make sure you agree on the price before committing to the journey. Lastly you can use the new rail link between the airport and the suburbs. After your flights to South Africa land in Johannesburg simply follow the signs in the airport.