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Cheap Flights to South Africa

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
Cape Town
Cape Town3 stops$1,011
Durban
Durban1 stop$999
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth2 stops$1,555
Hoedspruit
Hoedspruit2 stops$1,946
George
George2 stops$1,510
East London
East London2 stops$1,640
Kimberley
Kimberley2 stops$2,120
Polokwane
Polokwane2 stops$1,668
Cape Town
Cape Town3 stops$1,011
Durban
Durban1 stop$999
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth2 stops$1,555
Hoedspruit
Hoedspruit2 stops$1,946
George
George2 stops$1,510
East London
East London2 stops$1,640
Kimberley
Kimberley2 stops$2,120
Polokwane
Polokwane2 stops$1,668

Price, demand and travel trends for flights to South Africa

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

Are flights to South Africa cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares to South Africa are running about 4% higher than they were around this time last year, averaging $1,552 round-trip.

What are the cheapest fares to South Africa right now?

Here are the cheapest round-trip fares to South Africa on KAYAK in the last week:

• Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) from $935
• Durban King Shaka Intl (DUR) from $999
• Cape Town Intl (CPT) from $1,011

What's the cheapest month to fly to South Africa?

February is the cheapest month to fly to South Africa, with round-trip fares averaging $1,341. The most expensive months are July and December, when average round-trip fares rise to $1,881 and $1,839, respectively.

When's the best time to book a flight to South Africa?

The best time to book is 18 weeks before departure. Drawing on 12 months of KAYAK data, fares booked in this window have averaged 5% lower than last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks of departure).

How do fares to each airport in South Africa compare?

According to KAYAK data from the last 12 months, the cheapest airports to fly into South Africa are:

• Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) at $1,560
• Durban King Shaka Intl (DUR) at $1,664
• Cape Town Intl (CPT) at $1,667

How do fares to South Africa vary across the week?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Monday is the cheapest day to fly to South Africa and Saturday is the most expensive. Looking at KAYAK data from the past 12 months, Monday prices run 6% lower than Saturday.

What time of day is cheapest to fly to South Africa?

On average, night flights are the cheapest, at around $1,633. Afternoon flights are the most expensive to South Africa, with tickets averaging $1,732.

Key details for flights to South Africa

Low season

October

Cheapest flight

$497
Beat the crowds with an average 34% drop in travelers.
One-way flight from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to Cape Town

Your questions about flights to South Africa, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Is now a good time to book a flight to South Africa?

    Yes. Fares to South Africa are low right now. As a rule of thumb, a round-trip under $1,316 (cheaper than most fares this year) is a good deal, so if you spot one at or below that, it's worth booking.

  • How much should I budget for a flight to South Africa?

    You can typically expect round-trip fares to South Africa to cost from $1,316 to $2,067, based on KAYAK data from the past 12 months.

  • What are the main airports serving South Africa?

    South Africa has 14 airports. The three busiest are Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) (50% of arrivals), Cape Town Intl (CPT) (45%) and Durban King Shaka Intl (DUR) (4%).

  • What airlines fly nonstop to South Africa?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, 2 airlines operate nonstop flights to South Africa on a regular basis:

    • United Airlines
    • Delta

  • Is it cheaper to fly with a layover to South Africa?

    Yes. Based on KAYAK data, flights to South Africa with a layover can cost less than nonstop flights. The most affordable connecting airports are:

    • Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl (AUH) from $1,196
    • Istanbul (IST) from $1,260
    • London Gatwick (LGW) from $1,274

  • How often are flights to South Africa delayed, and by how long?

    Around 26% of flights to South Africa are delayed by at least 15 minutes. Delays last 2h 20m on average.

  • What cabin classes are available on flights to South Africa?

    On flights to South Africa you can book Economy Class, Premium Economy Class, Business Class or First Class.

  • What are some popular landmarks travelers visit in South Africa?

    Based on KAYAK data from the past 3 months, South Africa is home to many popular landmarks. KAYAK travelers' favorites include:

    • Cape Town International Convention Centre
    • Camps Bay Beach
    • Sea Point Pavilion
    • Sandton Convention Centre

  • Are there nonstop flights to South Africa?

    Although there are flights from the United States available to over a dozen different small and large cities throughout South Africa, the only nonstop flights from the US to South Africa arrive in Johannesburg. Some of the nonstop flights to Johannesburg are available from Atlanta and Washington, DC.

  • Do I need a visa to enter South Africa?

    To visit South Africa for a duration of up to 90 days, United States nationals are not required to acquire a visa in advance. Instead, a visitor’s visa can be obtained at the port of entry on arrival. Official visa rules can be found on South Africa’s government immigration website and are subject to change without notice.

  • Where should I fly to if I want to visit Kruger National Park?

    If you’re one of the many tourists heading to South Africa to visit the Kruger National Park, it can be handy to fly into Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP). Although there are no direct routes, this airport gives direct access to the southern section of Kruger National Park. One of the most common layovers is in Johannesburg and you can find that more than one airline operates the route. Some of the companies are South Africa and jetBlue.

  • I want to visit Table Mountain in South Africa, which city should I fly to?

    Table Mountain is another extremely popular tourist destination in South Africa, and it lies just outside of the city of Cape Town. To get there, you can fly into Cape Town then take one of the many available buses or taxis to the base of Table Mountain, where you can either hike or take a cable car the rest of the way.

  • What transport options do I have from Oliver Tambo International Airport?

    JNB connects to a train link system that offers transit to and from the airport. You could take a train to the city center when visiting South Africa and land at Tambo Airport. The train link runs at 12-minute intervals and operates between 5:15 a.m. and 10 p.m. You can also hire a metered taxi at the ground transportation area. You can use hotel shuttles serving the airport if you check into one of the hotels.

  • Do South African airports offer accessible services to passengers with special needs?

    Passengers with reduced mobility can request wheelchairs from the airlines. You can request pre-boarding, boarding, and aisle chair assistance at any of the airports. The airports have wheelchair-accessible facilities to allow for independent access by passengers with limited mobility. To acquire the accessibility services, ensure you make a reservation at least two days before your travel date. The airports also have facilities suited for hard-of-hearing passengers and the visually impaired.

  • Can I rent a car at South Africa's airports?

    Yes, South Africa's airports offer car rental services for convenient movement around the country. The airports' car rental agencies include Avis, Capital, Europcar, Select, Thrifty, and Woodford car rental. To rent a vehicle, you must be at least 18 years old, a valid driver's license holder for at least a year, and an International Driver's Permit holder. The renting process is easy as you can drive out of the airport with your rental car upon landing.

  • What are the most common layover cities when flying to South Africa?

    You can opt for direct flights from the U.S. to different parts of South Africa. However, if a flight with layovers fits you, there are several options. The layover destination you choose depends on the origin city and the destination city in SA. If you are flying into SA Johannesburg from Chicago's ORD, you can have your layover in Paris (CGD) or Istanbul (IST). From ATL, you can stop in Amsterdam (AMS). You can also have your layover at Amsterdam or Frankfurt (FRA) when flying to SA from New York JFK.

Your guide to booking flights to South Africa

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If you can plan ahead, the sweet spot for booking your flight is 18 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data shows fares in this window are around 5% lower than last-minute bookings (made within 2 weeks of departure). Not ready to commit? Set a Price Alert and we'll let you know when prices change.
  • If your dates are flexible, February usually has the best deals, while July tends to be the priciest. The best-time-to-travel chart on this page shows how prices move across the year.
  • Monday is usually the cheapest day to fly, about 6% cheaper than Saturday, the priciest day. If your dates are flexible, that's an easy way to save. If not, try nearby airports or a layover instead.
  • If you're looking to save, Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) has had the lowest fares over the past 12 months. Just remember to factor in the cost of getting to your final destination.
  • East London is the most popular destination in South Africa. Start your trip here and then check out these other places KAYAK travelers love: Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
  • Consider a layover to South Africa, it can cost less than flying nonstop. Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl (AUH) is typically the cheapest place to connect.
  • Getting to South Africa will almost certainly involve a layover, which commonly also includes a change in airline. One of the most common (and most affordable) routes to South Africa from the United States is from New York City (JFK Airport) to Johannesburg. This route is nonstop and is operated by South Africa Airways.
  • When booking your flight to South Africa, you’ll have no shortage of airports to choose from. There are more than 15 international airports in South Africa that you can fly to from the United States, with the airports in Johannesburg and Cape Town seeing the most international air traffic.
  • Heading to the Valley of 1,000 hills? This popular attraction is located in the Durban area. To get there, you’ll have to fly into Durban King Shaka International Airport (DUR). Located in the city of La Mercy, the airport is reachable via a layover in Johannesburg.
  • If you’re one of the many tourists heading to South Africa to hike up to Lion’s Head, you’ll have to fly into Cape Town for convenient access. Common layovers between the US and Cape Town include Madrid and Johannesburg.
  • To reach Ballito (nicknamed the Dolphin Coast), your best option is to fly into Durban King Shaka International Airport. Direct flights to this airport aren’t available from the US, with most involving a layover in Johannesburg.
  • South Africa has three main international airports spread through its three major cities — Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo Airport (JNB), Cape Town's Airport (CPT), and Durban's King Shaka Airport (DUR). CPT is the metropolitan area's main gateway, JNB has good accessibility and connectivity, and DUR is the best regional airport in South Africa.
  • Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg is South Africa's primary hub, the busiest in the continent and the center for South African Airways. If you are flying into South Africa from the U.S., consider landing in JNB, as it serves six continents globally.
  • Johannesburg is South Africa's gateway and an entry point for direct flights from the U.S. All direct flights from the U.S. land in Johannesburg from Atlanta (ATL), New York (JFK), and Washington, D.C. (IAD). The destination airport is JNB.
  • If you are flying to Oliver Tambo Airport, the airport is easy to maneuver. JNB consists of two terminals, A and B, with a central terminal building handling luggage and check-in connecting the two terminals. You can walk to either of the terminals.
  • If you are visiting the metropolitan area of South Africa, fly into Cape Town Airport, which offers a hassle-free travel experience. The airport is the only one in the metro area offering scheduled passenger services.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to South Africa

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from the United States to South Africa? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.8
DeltaOverall score based on 8645 reviews
7.8Comfort
8.1Boarding
8.5Crew
7.8Entertainment
7.2Food
Airline reviews

Delta is the best. It was all very easy and on time.

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Oct 2026
Read more Delta reviews

Delta is the best. It was all very easy and on time.

The cabin and bathroom experience was poor as the cabin and bathroom were dirty and showed signs of an older plane that had not been updated for Customer’s, comfort and health. There was gum on my seat when I arrived and dirt spots around the fan and light controls. The flight was almost entirely full, so there was no way I could be moved from my seat. Th bathroom had the peeling paint.

Wifi worked inconsistently; outlet to charge computer did not work.

Gate agent in LAS named Juliett should win an award for excellent customer service.

Gate agent and flight attendants were efficient, but more stern than warm.

The only issue is that the plane was HOT. This was not the case on my first flight so not sure why, but thankfully I had a portable fan with me. Everything else was great!

13 hour delay stuck in Detroit and missed a day of meetings. It was terrible

My flight was so delayed I would’ve missed my connection and had to cancel my trip

Seemingly unnecessary delays were compounded by a lack of communication from the flight crew which turned a four hour delay into an overly stressful experience.

The food was terrible especially for a 15 hour international flight. The crew was unpleasant as well.

When getting to our seats a blanket, headphones and pillow where there already. The food was very good and plentiful. I liked when they came around w/hot towels to freshen up with. Slippers, socks and an eye mask was a nice surprise. My husband and I have mobility issues and the transporters were absolutely wonderful and helpful w/the wheelchairs at each stop. Getting from one gate to the next they were a blessing.

The taxi drivers are very rude. Didn’t wait. They said you come in 5minutes or I leave. Did not leave any messages on front desk and they left. We have to hire new cabs in turkey.

Everything was good except for the seating arrangements. We could not get seats to be seated together with my wife. We’re unfortunately.

My first time in business class The in flt staff was outstanding in every aspect of service, the food was amazing, the business seat space made the 11 hour journey easy peazy

It was good, but always can be better. The airplane was old.

I always travel on Turkish Airlines but seriously I am I am considering to change because this is not the first time that the flight attendant are rude and they dont help. I asked for cold water with ice 5 times and I got water with no ice and this is not the first time to ask for something and you dont get it. Also I noticed this behavior only towards people who are not turkish.

There were not enough extra leg room options to purchase. Also the seat Infront of mine was broken and the gentleman literally laid back into my lap for the whole trip. This was the most uncomfortable trip I have ever been on

Make sure to request a vegetarian meal in advance. They printed out menus for all passengers with the options but by the time they were halfway through (for breakfast and dinner), the vegetarian options were already all taken.

Very good except the boarding process too forever and wasn’t organized by group. I had a heavy pack or I wouldn’t have minded. I was in business. There were no audible announcements in the waiting area about boarding and everyone packed into the boarding area. Then boarding stopped for a long time but the staff made no announcements to update waiting passengers about the holdup. The flight was good after we got on.

This is the first and last time I will be traveling Turkish airlines. The flight was delayed three times. Second time we sat on the aircraft for approximately an hour and a half. Initially told that the delay would only be 15 minutes then no explanation thereafter except that we were deboarding. We missed our connecting flights to Zimbabwe, and had to pay for a overnight hotel stay in addition to paying for a new tickets to our get to our final destination. They allowed us to order food from the airport food court but only from fast food and even that they limited the menu items we could select. I would some to contact me about the refund on the hotel and the connecting flight!

Return flight was perfect. All on time and no hiccups. However, going was another story. I don't blame United for the weather, but I am rather disappointed in its response to my getting stranded in my layover city for the night. United gave me a $20 food voucher. That's it. But besides this policy, the employees were incredibly helpful rerouting me to my final destination in Fort Lauderdale, FL. So overall, 8 out of 10. 10 out of 10 for flight comfort, inflight service and before flight service. 5 out of 10 for layover handling.

Quinoa chocolate cookies are my favorite! Would be nice to have internet service like American

Better management of the boarding process. Is there any way you could forward all the window seats first? That's the Way Reno Air used to do it, and they had the fastest boarding in the industry!

Old plane, no amenities. Very abrupt landing. Unnecessarily long taxi time.

The flight was for my mom in wheelchair the staff in Newark wer not friendly took a long time to even get a wheelchair she almost missed her flight because they finally got a chair few minutes before boarding they had to rush her to the gate. They took her carryon and checked it as a bag told her don’t worry free of charge but they charge the credit card anyway. She also told me the seats are not comfortable at all as if they were broken she could feel the bars in the seat SFO staff was much better overall she had the worst experience

Wifi is very frustrating - could not connect and therefore unable to work on the trip

Entertainment was great. Seats were good. They did not have my pre-ordered hot food product available but did comp me something cold in place of the item.

Staff on the plane was incredible. Check-in was very complicated with no staff to help at the airport. I was charged for a second bag even though my ticket says 2 bags are free

Staff could’ve been a little more cordial. The men were much more friendlier than the women. My daughter and I also missed the 2nd to last meal as we were sleeping but that is on us.

The food needs to be improved, up to the standard of the people and the accommodation.

We flew with Qatar Airlines before (2021) , the service was much better than this time, the flight attendants were not very friendly and cheerful . One of the attendants asked the person setting next to me (by the window) are you Mr. ……, if you may need any thing to let her know . I asked for a dinner meal with beef , she said, we are out, only chicken is available, then she said wait I may get you one with beef, she came back and gave me chicken. Then she gave the gentleman next to me the beef meal . The bathrooms were left dirty and full of overfilled paper tissues, urine every where on the floor and on the toilet seat . Qatar Airways has an excellent reputation and deserves better . Thank you 🙏

Horrible horrible plane for such a long flight. I thought Qatar was a reputable airline. Was proven so wrong. Never again…:-(

Qatar Airways has consistently set a standard in my mind that very few airlines manage to sustain, and once again, this journey in Economy Class lived up to that expectation. As an avid globetrotter who travels extensively for work, I experience many airlines, service cultures, and levels of hospitality. Yet there is something reassuringly consistent about Qatar Airways. It is not simply the onboard service, but the entire experience: the professionalism, courtesy, warmth, attentiveness, and genuine sense of hospitality. The cabin crew are exceptionally well trained, composed, aligned, and polished in their delivery, yet their interactions rarely feel mechanical. They remain remarkably courteous while retaining a genuine human warmth and an apparent eagerness to assist. On almost every Qatar journey, there are individual crew members who somehow manage to stand out and make the experience even more memorable. What I value most is the consistency. Qatar Airways has established a certain benchmark of expectation for me and, over many journeys, has never underdelivered against it. There is a sense of confidence and ease that comes with boarding a Qatar flight because I know the overall experience will be thoughtfully delivered. For someone who spends a considerable amount of time travelling, that peace of mind matters enormously. Qatar Airways remains one of the airlines I genuinely enjoy flying, not because of any single aspect of the service, but because of the complete package and the remarkable consistency with which it is delivered. The only disappointment on this occasion was that my luggage did not arrive with me at my final destination in Kolkata (CCU), following my journey from Seattle (SEA) via Doha (DOH). Unfortunately, the baggage was delayed in Doha. A baggage exception report is already on file with the local airport team in CCU. Given the confidence Qatar Airways has built with me over the years, I remain optimistic that they will once again live up to that expectation, work their magic, and reunite me with my luggage within the next 24 hours. Looking forward to a swift resolution and, notwithstanding this final hiccup, another thoroughly enjoyable Qatar Airways journey.

Mediocre movies Too cold Didn’t have extra blankets Check in was too long (60-70 min coming 3 hours early) Breakfast was terrible Great WiFi however And smooth ride Dinner was decent

Really good food and service. Qatar Airways is again and again provided an exceptional experience.

Extremely uncomfortable seats with very little cushioning, unable to recline enough to sleep comfortably on this 13 hour overnight flight. My body was in pain by the end.

When we checked in at the Siem Reap Airport in Cambodia, we were only given three boarding passes and told that we would have to check in with American when we arrived in Boston. This was a source of stress for us. After we landed in Boston, we had a long passage from Terminal E to Terminal B (American Airline ticketing counter). Because the electronic ticketing kiosks for check-in would not recognize our Confirmation Code, we had to wait for an hour in a long line where only two AA reps were taking care of Special Services passengers. In many years of both business and recreational travel, I have never had this experience. I would expect more from AA being in partnership with other airlines to do a better job with this.

Our experience on the Doha to Hyderabad segment was extremely stressful due to prolonged delays and a lack of clear communication from the airline. We were traveling as a family, including children, and the uncertainty around timing and next steps caused significant distress. There was very little proactive information provided during the delay, and we were not given clear written explanations about what was happening or how long it might take. This made it difficult to manage the situation, especially while caring for children in a transit environment. In addition, one member of our party was ultimately unable to continue travel, which added to the emotional strain and disruption of the trip. Overall, the experience highlighted gaps in communication, customer care, and handling of unexpected situations. We are sharing this feedback so that future passengers, especially families, are supported with clearer communication and better assistance during irregular operations.

The seat cushions are absolutely lacking, not sure if they know the passengers are traveling for 14 hours straight, but the padding made our back and butt ache like crazy. The entertainment console had its own problems, either the headphone jack wasn't working or the power outlet via usb or ac outlet was not working. Not to mention the seat handles were not adjustable in some planes in the middle or on the aisle. Qatar/Indigo may be operating a very old fleet of planes to make as much profit as possible, but passengers may not be following them for long, should this treatment of its customers continue. Qatar/Indigo, wake up and do it right by your customers, or they may not be your customers anymore.

I am a big person and have back pain and swelling in my legs, so this was a challenging flight due to confined space. I didn't find the crew very friendly either. I will think twice before flying long distances with Qatar again, due to the lack of legroom.

The seat was wet when I came in. Food was just something. And during a whole 11 to 12 hours in the airplane NO WIFI. Was is the point to buy a business ticket if you can be connected to your relatives and your company. Ethiopian used to do that to theirs customers, TECHNICAL ISSUE, WE ARE SORRY….. I am a gold customer for ET. It is very disappointed!

It was a great experience for my first time flying with this airline. I will be flying with them a lot more now. Plane crew was amazing.

The flight was very smooth, however, the quality of food was mediocre.

The TV wasn't working No music for the whole flight from JFK to LOS It was too burring.

Flight was delayed by two hours. This really messed things up because I missed my connecting flight in Addis. I had a meeting in Entebbe which was scrapped because my flight from Addis landed later in the day.

I paid for internet that did not work and had to pay more to have it

The Boeing 737 MAX on this route, flown in the middle of the night, is an UTTER FAILURE for business travellers. The whole point of business travel is to arrive alert and recover from travel quickly, and this little aeroplane with its quarter recline uncomfortable business seats does nothing for that. It’s a small step up from economy in that you have decent legroom, but that’s it. Absolute margin at the cost of the traveller.

The use of a domestic carrier without entertainment was disappointing and a let down

There where no ear phones provided and the food needs to improve.

The food could be better, the beef was quite tough. The crew were friendly and helpful on this flight, which has not being my experience on other Ethiopian flights.

More options for your flight to South Africa

Complete your trip to South Africa with a hotel stay or car rental