Flights to Johannesburg(JNB)
The City of Gold — Africa's economic powerhouse where history meets modern ambition
Flights to Johannesburg start from $320 roundtrip, with May being the cheapest month to fly. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) serves 45+ direct international routes from cities including London (11h) and Dubai (8h). Book on Travorio and pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or 100+ cryptocurrencies, or split into 4 interest-free payments with Sezzle.
Quick Facts — Flights to Johannesburg
Avg. Roundtrip
$320–$700
Cheapest Month
May
~$320 avg
Direct Flight
11h
45+ routes
Airport
JNB
24 km from center
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Cheapest Time to Fly to Johannesburg
Monthly price guide — cheapest in May (~$320 avg roundtrip)
Best time to book: 6-10 weeks before departure
| Month | Avg. Price | Demand | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | $550 | peak | Peak summer. School holidays. Book 10+ weeks early. |
| February | $500 | high | Still summer. Cricket and rugby season. |
| March | $420 | medium | Autumn begins. Great weather. Prices easing. |
| April | $380 | medium | Cooler evenings (15°C). Good value month. |
| MayCHEAPEST | $320 | low | Cheapest month. Dry winter starts. Safari season begins nearby. |
| June | $350 | low | Cold mornings (4°C) but dry and sunny. Best safari prices at Kruger. |
| July | $380 | medium | UK/EU school holidays lift demand. Cold but excellent for safari. |
| August | $400 | medium | Dry season continues. Whale watching on the coast. Wildflowers. |
| September | $420 | medium | Spring arrives. Jacaranda trees bloom purple across the city. |
| October | $450 | medium | Warm weather returns. Thunderstorm season begins. |
| November | $500 | high | Summer builds. Prices climbing toward peak. |
| December | $600 | peak | Most expensive. Festive season demand. Book 12+ weeks ahead. |
January
$550
peak demand
February
$500
high demand
March
$420
medium demand
April
$380
medium demand
May
$320
low demand
June
$350
low demand
July
$380
medium demand
August
$400
medium demand
September
$420
medium demand
October
$450
medium demand
November
$500
high demand
December
$600
peak demand
Airlines Flying to Johannesburg
3 direct routes and 3 connecting options
3 airlines offer direct flights to Johannesburg, with British Airways providing the most frequent service from London Heathrow.
| Airline | From | Direct? | Duration | Price Range | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | London Heathrow | Direct | 11h | $400-$850 | Daily |
| South African Airways | London Heathrow | Direct | 11h 10m | $380-$800 | Daily |
| Virgin Atlantic | London Heathrow | Direct | 11h 15m | $370-$830 | 5x weekly |
| Emirates | Dubai (via) | 1 stop | 15h | $450-$1,000 | Daily |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa (via) | 1 stop | 13h | $350-$700 | Daily |
| Qatar Airways | Doha (via) | 1 stop | 16h | $420-$900 | Daily |
British Airways
DirectFrom London Heathrow|11h|$400-$850
South African Airways
DirectFrom London Heathrow|11h 10m|$380-$800
Virgin Atlantic
DirectFrom London Heathrow|11h 15m|$370-$830
Emirates
1 stopFrom Dubai (via)|15h|$450-$1,000
Ethiopian Airlines
1 stopFrom Addis Ababa (via)|13h|$350-$700
Qatar Airways
1 stopFrom Doha (via)|16h|$420-$900
Flights to Johannesburg by City
Compare prices and flight times from major departure cities
London
LHR · UK
From $430·11h
Dubai
DXB · UAE
From $480·8h
Cape Town
CPT · South Africa
From $80·2h 10m
New York
JFK · US
From $650·15h+
Nairobi
NBO · Kenya
From $200·4h
Sydney
SYD · Australia
From $800·14h
Frankfurt
FRA · Germany
From $470·11h 30m
Addis Ababa
ADD · Ethiopia
From $280·5h
Johannesburg Airport Guide
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) — 24 km from city center
O.R. Tambo International Airport
JNB · 24 km from center · Primary
Gautrain (R185/$10), Uber (~R250/$14), airport shuttle (R400/$22)
Lanseria International Airport
HLA · 45 km (northwest) from center
Uber (~R400/$22), car rental recommended
Getting from JNB to Johannesburg
Gautrain
R185 ($10)15 minutes to SandtonAfrica's only high-speed rail. Airport to Sandton/Rosebank. Clean, safe, punctual.
Uber / Bolt
R250-400 ($14-22)25-45 minutesEssential for getting around Joburg. Much safer than taxis. Available 24/7.
Airport Shuttle
R400-600 ($22-33)30-45 minutesPre-booked shared minibus. Door-to-door service.
Car Rental
From R300/day ($17)Self-driveRecommended for exploring beyond the city. Drive on the left. Essential for Kruger trips.
Metered Taxi
R350-500 ($19-28)30-45 minutesMore expensive than Uber. Only use official ranks at airport/hotels.
Local tip: Take the Gautrain from the airport to Sandton or Rosebank — it's fast, safe, and affordable. For everything else, use Uber or Bolt. Joburg is not a walking city — always have transport arranged.
Johannesburg Travel Essentials
The City of Gold — Africa's economic powerhouse where history meets modern ambition
Johannesburg is Africa's largest economy and a city of extraordinary contrasts. Born from the 1886 Gold Rush, it evolved from mining camp to megalopolis. Today, the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill tell the story of South Africa's democratic transformation, while Maboneng and Braamfontein showcase a creative renaissance. Joburg is also the gateway to Kruger National Park (4.5h drive) — Africa's most famous safari destination.
Top Things to Know About Johannesburg
Apartheid Museum — the world's most powerful museum on segregation and South Africa's journey to democracy
Constitution Hill — former prison (held Mandela and Gandhi) now home to South Africa's Constitutional Court
Cradle of Humankind — UNESCO World Heritage Site with 3.5-million-year-old hominid fossils, 45 min from CBD
Kruger National Park gateway — Big Five safari just 4.5 hours' drive or 1-hour flight from JNB
Soweto — guided tours of the township that shaped South Africa's liberation movement, including Mandela's house
Climate
Subtropical highland — warm summers (Oct-Mar, 25-30°C) with afternoon thunderstorms, cool dry winters (May-Aug, 5-20°C)
Best Time to Visit
May-August for safari (dry = animals at waterholes); September-November for jacaranda blossoms and warm weather
Currency
South African Rand (ZAR). ~R18 = $1 USD. Cards widely accepted; cash useful for markets and township tours.
Language
English (main business/tourist language), Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans
Time Zone
SAST (UTC+2) — same as most of continental Europe in winter
Visa
UK, US, EU, and most Commonwealth citizens receive 90-day visa-free entry. Passport must have 2+ blank pages and 30+ days validity beyond departure.
Flexible Payment for Johannesburg Flights
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Pay with Crypto
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Avoid the 3-5% international card conversion fee on ZAR transactions. Pay in stablecoin (USDT/USDC) for transparent, fee-free pricing.
Learn about crypto paymentsPayPal & Card
Pay securely with PayPal or any major credit/debit card. Visa, Mastercard, Amex accepted. No extra fees.
Pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or 100+ cryptocurrencies. Also accepts PayPal and all major credit cards.
Crypto in Johannesburg: South Africa is Africa's largest crypto market with the highest adoption rate on the continent. Luno (SA-founded) and VALR are major local exchanges. Growing merchant acceptance in Sandton and Rosebank.
Flights to Johannesburg — FAQ
What is the cheapest month to fly to Johannesburg?
May is typically the cheapest month ($320 avg roundtrip from London). June ($350 avg) and April ($380 avg) also offer good value. Peak pricing hits in December ($600 avg) and January ($550 avg) during South African summer holidays.
How long is the flight to Johannesburg from London?
Direct flights from London Heathrow to O.R. Tambo (JNB) take approximately 11 hours. British Airways, South African Airways, and Virgin Atlantic all operate daily direct services. One-stop options via Dubai, Doha, or Addis Ababa take 13-18 hours.
Is Johannesburg a good base for safari?
Excellent. Kruger National Park is a 4.5-hour drive or 1-hour flight from JNB. Budget travelers can self-drive into Kruger (park fees ~$25/day). For luxury, private game reserves like Sabi Sands border Kruger with direct charter flights from JNB. Many travelers fly in, do 2-3 days in Joburg, then drive or fly to Kruger.
Do I need a visa to visit Johannesburg?
UK, US, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days. Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for 30+ days beyond your departure.
Can I pay for Johannesburg flights with cryptocurrency?
Yes. Travorio accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, USDC, and 100+ other cryptocurrencies. South Africa has Africa's most developed crypto ecosystem, and paying in crypto avoids the 3-5% international card conversion fee on ZAR transactions.
Should I fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town?
JNB has more routes and is usually $30-80 cheaper than CPT. Choose JNB if you plan to visit Kruger, Soweto, or the Cradle of Humankind. Choose CPT for Table Mountain, wine regions, and beaches. Many travelers do JNB first, then a cheap domestic flight to CPT ($50-80 on FlySafair).
How do I get from the airport to the city?
The Gautrain (R185/$10, 15 min) is the best option from O.R. Tambo to Sandton/Rosebank. Uber/Bolt cost R250-400 ($14-22) and take 25-45 minutes depending on traffic. Avoid metered taxis and unofficial operators.