Photo: South African Tourism, CC BY 2.0Cheap flights to South Africa
Johannesburg and Cape Town are the two main gateways, and the time difference with the UK is small — one of the few long-haul trips without real jet lag.
- Currency
- South African rand (ZAR)
- Languages
- Eleven official languages; English is widely used
- Airports we fly to
- 2
- Typical connections
- Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and major European hubs such as Amsterdam and Paris
Where in South Africa?
Flight times from London
Distances and typical journey times from Heathrow to each airport we fly to in South Africa. Non-stop times apply only where a direct service operates on your dates; most other journeys connect via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and major European hubs such as Amsterdam and Paris.
| City | Airport | Distance | Non-stop | With one stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) | 5,639 miles | around 11h 30m | 15h 30m–17h 30m |
| Cape Town | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | 6,016 miles | around 12h 15m | 16h 15m–18h 15m |
When to go
- Johannesburg: May to September for safari; the city is pleasant most of the year.
- Cape Town: November to March is summer and the driest time.
Flying from outside London
We quote from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Bristol. Regional departures usually connect through a Gulf or European hub, which can be cheaper and quicker door to door than travelling to Heathrow.
Questions people ask
- Which airports in South Africa can I fly to from the UK?
- We book flights to Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT).
- How long is the flight to South Africa?
- From Heathrow, Johannesburg is about 11h 30m non-stop; Cape Town is about 12h 15m non-stop. With one connection, allow a few hours more.
- Where do flights to South Africa usually connect?
- Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and major European hubs such as Amsterdam and Paris.
- What currency is used in South Africa?
- South African rand (ZAR). Languages: Eleven official languages; English is widely used.
- How do I get today’s fare to South Africa?
- Send us your route or call 020 3137 8781 — open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A consultant checks live fares across the airlines and calls you back.