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.

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