Cheap Flights to South Africa

When is the best time to fly?

Peak season 

November through to February is the busiest season as many tourists flock to the country from all over the world while locals escape to their nearest beach destinations. The country also benefits from having multiple festivals scattered all over so you should research if there are any special events going on as this will increase the price of your flights. 

Off season 

The low season usually runs from April to September. It’s also the best season to venture into wildlife parks as many of the animals are a lot easier to spot and they tend to drink at the waterholes. If you’re not a fan of cold weather then it is worth avoiding June and August as it can get rather chilly during both the morning and night. Travelling during the off season means you are more likely to find great deals on flights.

When is the best time to book your flights?

This varies but as a rule of thumb it’s recommended to secure your flights anywhere within South Africa at least two months in advance but aim for even earlier if you can. For spotting game then the low season of April to September is definitely the best time to book.

How long are flights within South Africa?

Flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town – 2 hours 05 minutes.

Flights from Durban to Johannesburg – 1 hours 10 minutes.

Flights from Durban to Cape Town – 2 hours 15 minutes.

Flights from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth – 1 hours 20 minutes.

Which airlines operate flights?

The main airlines for domestic flights are South African Airlines, Mango, Kulula and CemAir, Safair and British Airways. All of them are reliable airlines so ultimately it will come down to who provides you with the cheapest price. If you are a member of a loyalty scheme with any of them then it is worth flying with that particular airline to continue to build up your points, or better yet redeem any points you already have.

How to get from the airport to the city centre?

Johannesburg: 

You can get into the city by using the Reya Vaya. It’s a safe, affordable and reliable bus that is dedicated for transporting passengers from the airport to the city. It isn’t the only bus available however the others that you can catch from the airport are less reliable. The only other option you have is to get a taxi from outside of arrivals. Expect to haggle with the driver over the price and don’t expect to travel cheaply in one, especially when compared with the bus alternatives that are on offer. Make sure you agree on the fare before you get in. There is also a new rail link which operates between the suburbs and the airport. 

Cape Town: 

You can easily get to the city centre with the MyCiti bus. It’s probably the most cost efficient way of travelling from the airport and it runs every 20 minutes. The MyCiti bus is also more reliable than the alternative buses that are available. You could also choose to jump into a taxi although these are a lot more expensive in comparison. You can find them from outside of the airport and generally start at around R300.

South Africa airport overview

How long is the flight to Pilanesberg, Sun City, South Africa?

There are only two direct flights from Cape Town to Pilanesberg per week, but there are more often direct flights from Cape Town to nearby Johannesburg that are around 2h long. Johannesburg is around 2h 20m away from Pilanesberg by car. There are also flights from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg twice a week. Flights from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to nearby Johannesburg are around 1h 40m.

Where can you get direct flights to Pilanesberg from?

With the exception of the two flights per week from both Johannesburg and Cape Town to Pilanesberg, there are no other known direct flights to Pilanesberg, South Africa, but numerous flights can be found to Johannesburg, which is only around a 2h 20m drive away. If you plan to visit Pilanesberg, you can fly directly to Johannesburg from Port Elizabeth or Cape Town in just a couple hours, and then take the moderate drive to Pilanesberg.

How do you get from Pilanesberg International Airport to the city centre?

The main attraction of Pilanesberg, or Sun City, is the Pilanesberg National Park. There is no large downtown area, but there are numerous accommodations, including bed and breakfasts, cabins, tents, and more. If you’ve chartered a flight from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg, you can make arrangements with your hotel or lodge to be picked up. If you’ve flown to Johannesburg, there are multiple car rental options that will allow you to drive to the Pilanesberg National Park.

What are some things to do in Pilanesberg?

Pilanesberg, Sun City, is a great place to get out and enjoy an adventure. There are safaris, tours, camping locations, and more. Game drives take place in open safari vehicles and can bring you close to rhinos, lions, elephants, and other wild safari animals. For a more relaxing activity, you can opt for hot air ballooning. Since this takes place over the national park, there’s no city noise, and the scenery is spectacular. More active or athletic adventurers can go on a walking safari. This intense activity is led by an experienced guide and will bring you closer to details and natural wildlife on the safari that often gets missed in a game drive.

Other activities include relaxing with a spa day, tribal dancing, birding safaris, archery, quad bikes, and more. Located in a special corner of the Pilanesberg National Park is the Black Rhino Game Reserve, where you can see these majestic creatures.

For accommodations, options range from more simple chalets and tents, which bring you close to the nature of the safari, to more luxurious lodges, which are great for relaxing and getting away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. The luxury lodges are ideal for a romantic anniversary vacation or a honeymoon. There are also child-friendly lodges, which feature baby cots, as well as playgrounds, swimming pools, and other family-fun options.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Pilanesberg?

Since Pilanesberg, Sun City, is located in South Africa, no passport or visa is needed, as long as you are traveling from within the country.