Cheap flights from South Africa to China from R7 723

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 1/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
JNB — SHA
Dec 11 — Dec 181
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Find flight deals from South Africa to China

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

Cheapest flights from South Africa to China
Explore the most affordable flight options available from South Africa to China. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 11 November 2025.

Tue 2/1214:30JNB - PVG
1 stop19h 45mEthiopian Air
Mon 8/1223:30PVG - JNB
1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air
Deal found 9/11R12 385
Tue 25/1114:30JNB - PVG
1 stop19h 45mEthiopian Air
Tue 2/1223:30PVG - JNB
1 stop34h 25mEthiopian Air
Deal found 9/11R12 471
Wed 26/118:20JNB - PVG
1 stop25h 55mEthiopian Air
Wed 3/1223:30PVG - JNB
1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air
Deal found 10/11R12 608
Sat 6/1214:30JNB - PVG
1 stop19h 45mEthiopian Air
Sun 28/1223:30PVG - JNB
1 stop19h 35mEthiopian Air
Deal found 11/11R12 712
Wed 26/1110:10JNB - SHA
2 stops25h 45mMultiple Airlines
Wed 3/1222:30SHA - JNB
2 stops39h 10mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 9/11R12 832
Tue 25/1119:55JNB - PVG
1 stop28h 35mSingapore Airlines
Mon 1/120:10PVG - JNB
1 stop24h 25mSingapore Airlines
Deal found 9/11R12 901
Tue 18/1113:50CPT - PVG
1 stop20h 25mEthiopian Air
Mon 24/1123:30PVG - CPT
1 stop21h 05mEthiopian Air
Deal found 10/11R12 901
Tue 18/1115:25CPT - PVG
1 stop18h 50mEthiopian Air
Sun 23/1123:30PVG - CPT
1 stop20h 15mEthiopian Air
Deal found 10/11R12 935
Wed 19/1110:10JNB - PVG
1 stop20h 15mMultiple Airlines
Wed 26/1121:10PVG - JNB
2 stops40h 30mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/11R12 952
Tue 11/119:50JNB - PVG
1 stop20h 50mChina Eastern
Tue 25/1114:00PVG - JNB
1 stop24h 20mChina Eastern
Deal found 9/11R13 090
Wed 26/1119:55JNB - PVG
1 stop20h 25mSingapore Airlines
Tue 2/120:10PVG - JNB
1 stop24h 25mSingapore Airlines
Deal found 10/11R13 107
Fri 21/1114:35CPT - PVG
1 stop19h 40mEthiopian Air
Mon 24/1123:30PVG - CPT
1 stop21h 05mEthiopian Air
Deal found 10/11R13 176

Cheap flight deals from South Africa to China

Keep the following information in mind while searching for South Africa to China flight deals. Data was last updated 11 November 2025.

Round-trip from

R12 385

One-way from

R7 723

Popular in

October

Cheapest in

February

Average price

R13 761

Good round-trip deal

R14 463 or less

Good one-way deal

R9 887 or less
Ethiopian Air
  • Ethiopian Air
  • 2/12-8/12
  • 2 total stops
  • 39h 20m total
  • South Africa to China
1/3
  • 1/3
  • 2 total stops
  • 34h 00m total
  • South Africa to China
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 6% potential increase in price (R16 354 potential increase over avg. return price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease (R4 683 potential savings vs. average return price).
Average for round-trip flights in November 2025
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from South Africa to China.
Price to beat on a one-way flight from South Africa to China.

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customise your flight search to find flights from South Africa to China that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 594 507 searches. Data last updated 11 November 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from South Africa to China that are best for you.

Fly from

South Africa

Fly to

China

Route

Depart

Return

Price

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - PVG

JNBPVG

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 26/11

8:20-16:15

1 stop25h 55m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Wed 3/12

23:30-13:05

1 stop19h 35m

R12 608

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - PVG

JNBPVG

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Sun 15/2

13:40-22:20

1 stop26h 40m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Sat 21/2

8:20-6:10

1 stop27h 50m

R12 608

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - PVG

JNBPVG

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 2/2

9:50-12:50

1 stop21h 00m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Sat 7/3

14:00-8:20

1 stop24h 20m

R12 660

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - SHA

JNBSHA

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 26/11

10:10-15:00

2 stops22h 50m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Wed 3/12

20:30-7:40

2 stops41h 10m

R12 780

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - PVG

JNBPVG

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 21/4

13:45-13:25

1 stop17h 40m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Sat 2/5

19:10-6:10

1 stop17h 00m

R12 815

Cape TownShanghai

CPT - PVG

CPTPVG

Cape Town Intl

Thu 20/11

15:25-16:15

1 stop18h 50m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Mon 24/11

23:30-14:35

1 stop21h 05m

R12 901

Cape TownShanghai

CPT - PVG

CPTPVG

Cape Town Intl

Thu 20/11

13:50-16:15

1 stop20h 25m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Sun 23/11

23:30-13:45

1 stop20h 15m

R12 935

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - PVG

JNBPVG

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 26/11

19:55-22:20

1 stop20h 25m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Tue 2/12

0:10-18:35

1 stop24h 25m

R13 107

Cape TownShanghai

CPT - PVG

CPTPVG

Cape Town Intl

Fri 21/11

14:35-16:15

1 stop19h 40m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Mon 24/11

23:30-14:35

1 stop21h 05m

R13 176

JohannesburgShanghai

JNB - SHA

JNBSHA

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 25/11

11:00-22:15

3 stops29h 15m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Tue 2/12

10:50-7:25

3 stops26h 35m

R13 348

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 9/11

Showing 1-10 of 60 results
1
2
3
...
6

Best time to book a flight from South Africa to China

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to China from South Africa with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from South Africa to China

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from South Africa to China?

Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from South Africa to China (average of R8 033). Flying from South Africa to China in December is currently the most expensive (average of R11 112). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from ZA to CN?

Find hourly flight availability from South Africa to China. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 11 November 2025.

It’s optimal to fly from South Africa to China in the evening. By choosing this option you can save up to 20% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the afternoon.

What is the cheapest day to fly from South Africa to China?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from South Africa to China. Price data was last updated on 16 December 2024.

Travellers seeking maximum savings on their South Africa to China flight should consider departing on Monday at midday when fares are most often at their lowest. Monday afternoons flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Reviews of airlines servicing China

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to China. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to China. Reviews last updated 11 November 2025.
Check out reviews from past customers who have flown with Emirates, Singapore Airlines, andCathay Pacific from South Africa to China to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Boarding

8,1

Food

7,9

Crew

8,3

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Anonymous,Dec 2024

IAD - DXB

Not so good. Flight was departed 2 hours late from DC and we missed our connecting flight from Dubai to Mumbai. Our flight Dubai to Mumbai got delayed by three hours. Once we arrived Bombay airport we didnot get all our luggage bags. We were missing two luggage bags so found out that our those two luggage bags are coming in different flight. First they gave us wrong flight information in which our missing luggage coming and wrong phone number to whom we should reach out. I spent hours and hours at the airport to find out our luggage bags. After four five hours later and hectic time at the airport to get our luggage bags. Overall poor communication with emirates staff at the airport and no one is helpful.

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Boarding

8,1

Food

7,9

Crew

8,3

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Anonymous,Dec 2024

IAD - DXB

Not so good. Flight was departed 2 hours late from DC and we missed our connecting flight from Dubai to Mumbai. Our flight Dubai to Mumbai got delayed by three hours. Once we arrived Bombay airport we didnot get all our luggage bags. We were missing two luggage bags so found out that our those two luggage bags are coming in different flight. First they gave us wrong flight information in which our missing luggage coming and wrong phone number to whom we should reach out. I spent hours and hours at the airport to find out our luggage bags. After four five hours later and hectic time at the airport to get our luggage bags. Overall poor communication with emirates staff at the airport and no one is helpful.

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Boarding

8,1

Food

7,9

Crew

8,3

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Anonymous,Dec 2024

IAD - DXB

Not so good. Flight was departed 2 hours late from DC and we missed our connecting flight from Dubai to Mumbai. Our flight Dubai to Mumbai got delayed by three hours. Once we arrived Bombay airport we didnot get all our luggage bags. We were missing two luggage bags so found out that our those two luggage bags are coming in different flight. First they gave us wrong flight information in which our missing luggage coming and wrong phone number to whom we should reach out. I spent hours and hours at the airport to find out our luggage bags. After four five hours later and hectic time at the airport to get our luggage bags. Overall poor communication with emirates staff at the airport and no one is helpful.

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Boarding

8,1

Food

7,9

Crew

8,3

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Anonymous,Dec 2024

IAD - DXB

Not so good. Flight was departed 2 hours late from DC and we missed our connecting flight from Dubai to Mumbai. Our flight Dubai to Mumbai got delayed by three hours. Once we arrived Bombay airport we didnot get all our luggage bags. We were missing two luggage bags so found out that our those two luggage bags are coming in different flight. First they gave us wrong flight information in which our missing luggage coming and wrong phone number to whom we should reach out. I spent hours and hours at the airport to find out our luggage bags. After four five hours later and hectic time at the airport to get our luggage bags. Overall poor communication with emirates staff at the airport and no one is helpful.

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Boarding

8,1

Food

7,9

Crew

8,3

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Anonymous,Dec 2024

IAD - DXB

Not so good. Flight was departed 2 hours late from DC and we missed our connecting flight from Dubai to Mumbai. Our flight Dubai to Mumbai got delayed by three hours. Once we arrived Bombay airport we didnot get all our luggage bags. We were missing two luggage bags so found out that our those two luggage bags are coming in different flight. First they gave us wrong flight information in which our missing luggage coming and wrong phone number to whom we should reach out. I spent hours and hours at the airport to find out our luggage bags. After four five hours later and hectic time at the airport to get our luggage bags. Overall poor communication with emirates staff at the airport and no one is helpful.

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Boarding

8,1

Food

7,9

Crew

8,3

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 20
4,0
Okay

Anonymous,Dec 2024

IAD - DXB

Not so good. Flight was departed 2 hours late from DC and we missed our connecting flight from Dubai to Mumbai. Our flight Dubai to Mumbai got delayed by three hours. Once we arrived Bombay airport we didnot get all our luggage bags. We were missing two luggage bags so found out that our those two luggage bags are coming in different flight. First they gave us wrong flight information in which our missing luggage coming and wrong phone number to whom we should reach out. I spent hours and hours at the airport to find out our luggage bags. After four five hours later and hectic time at the airport to get our luggage bags. Overall poor communication with emirates staff at the airport and no one is helpful.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from South Africa to China. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
  • How long is the flight from South Africa to China?

    A quick flight from South Africa to China can take about 21h. Ethiopian Air provides one of the quickest options available for as low as R12 660. South Africa and China are separated by a distance of 11779 km. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from South Africa to China one-way?

    One-way options have recently been found by users for as low as R8 687 on Ethiopian Air. Other airlines that offer cheap prices include Emirates from R9 168 and Qatar Airways from R9 220 one-way.

  • Can I find deals for flights from South Africa to China that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on South Africa to China flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from South Africa to China?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from South Africa to China.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from South Africa to China?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from South Africa to China by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from South Africa to China?

    Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from South Africa to China (average of R8 033). Flying from South Africa to China in December is currently the most expensive (average of R11 112). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Top 10 airlines flying from South Africa to China

Discover the top 10 airlines that operate flights from South Africa to China. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 594 507 searches. Data last updated 11 November 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Singapore AirlinesCheapestR9 533AverageR13 454FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time81%
Search Singapore Airlines flights
Ethiopian AirCheapestR10 924AverageR15 238FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time72%
Search Ethiopian Air flights
Qatar AirwaysCheapestR11 200AverageR14 930FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time68%
Search Qatar Airways flights
Kenya AirwaysCheapestR11 463AverageR16 269FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time82%
Search Kenya Airways flights
EgyptairCheapestR11 554AverageR13 776FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
Search Egyptair flights
Air ChinaCheapestR11 697AverageR14 711FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time67%
Search Air China flights
Etihad AirwaysCheapestR12 045AverageR17 033FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time75%
Search Etihad Airways flights
EmiratesCheapestR12 161AverageR17 516FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time75%
Search Emirates flights
China EasternCheapestR12 175AverageR12 995FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
Search China Eastern flights
Cathay PacificCheapestR12 654AverageR15 343FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time72%
Search Cathay Pacific flights

Fly with Cheapflights

Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.

How does Cheapflights help users find flights from South Africa to China?

900+ travel sites are searched through when a user searches for a flight using Cheapflights. From the search interface, users can use filters to choose airlines, airports, flight times, cabin classes and more to their preference. Book your flight to China from South Africa today with Cheapflights!

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from South Africa to China?

It’s simple! Cheapflights, which is free to use for everyone, saves millions of users time and money every year by helping them find the cheapest and most suitable flights from South Africa to China.

Can Cheapflights find flights from South Africa to China with no change fees?

Certainly. Search results for flights to China from South Africa shown to you on Cheapflights can be narrowed down with different useful search filters, which includes flexible booking options.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from South Africa to China become cheaper?

Not ready to book yet? You can track prices for flights from South Africa to China on Cheapflights with our Price Alert feature and get notified when better prices are available.

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.