Top Airlines Offering the Cheapest Flights to South Africa

Finding cheap flights to South Africa is easier when you know which airlines consistently offer low prices. Here are some of the top carriers known for providing the cheapest flights to South Africa.

Find Major Airports in South Africa

Familiarizing yourself with South Africa’s major airports before flying is important so you can choose the most suitable airport for your travel needs. Here are the key airports offering convenient access to various destinations.

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is the main airport in Cape Town, South Africa, and the second busiest in the country. It is a hub for South African Airways and has domestic and international terminals. The airport offers direct flights to many destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, South America, and the United States.

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the main international airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s the busiest airport in Africa and a major hub for international and domestic flights. Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines operate here, offering flights to major cities like London, New York, Dubai, and Hong Kong.

 

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) is near Nelspruit in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. Airlink, Fastjet Zimbabwe, Federal Air, and FlySafair operate from this airport, connecting it to major South African cities and regional hubs in countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes are popular landmarks nearby.

 

King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is Durban’s main international airport in South Africa. It’s served by airlines like Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, offering flights to various destinations. The airport has connections to major South African cities, regional services in southern Africa, and intercontinental services to the Middle East. Internationally, it offers direct flights to places like Dubai, Harare, and Lusaka.

 

Flights to South Africa Snapshot

Economy Class

OneAir - Travel the world for less
TOTAL NUMBER OF ECONOMY CLASS DEALS TO SOUTH AFRICA IN THE LAST MONTH​

15

Seat - Cheap Flights - OneAir
AVERAGE ONEAIR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY ROUNDTRIP DEAL TO SOUTH AFRICA

$878

Business Class

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TOTAL NUMBER OF BUSINESS CLASS DEALS TO SOUTH AFRICA IN THE LAST MONTH

12

Business Class - Cheap Flights - OneAir
AVERAGE ONEAIR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS ROUNDTRIP DEAL TO SOUTH AFRICA

$3659

The Best Time to Fly to South Africa

The best time to visit South Africa is generally during the winter months, from May to September. During these months, you can find more affordable accommodation and tour prices, especially in popular tourist areas like Kruger National Park and Cape Town. However,  this period is also the peak season for wildlife viewing, so game reserves may have higher prices.

 

The most expensive time to visit South Africa is during the summer months, from December to February. This peak tourist season, especially in coastal areas, leads to higher accommodation, tours, and activities prices.  


The cheapest time to visit South Africa is during the winter months, from May to August, except for safaris. During this period, accommodation and flight prices are lower due to reduced demand. However, Cape Town and the Western Cape can experience rainy and cool weather.

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Cheapest months to fly

May to August

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Most Expensive Months to Fly

December to February

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Here’s a breakdown of plane tickets to South Africa:

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Frequently Asked Questions

To find cheap plane tickets to South Africa, use OneAir. Signing up for a OneAir membership can let you access exclusive deals and additional discounts unavailable to regular users. 

The cheapest flight from the United States to South Africa is in May, costing $507 from New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB).

Kenya Airways offers cheap flights from Ghana to South Africa, while the same airline offers cheap flights from Nigeria to South Africa.

Delta and United Airlines offer affordable direct flights to South Africa.

Ethiopian offers cheap flights from Atlanta to South Africa, while the same airline offers cheap flights from Chicago to South Africa.

Flights from New York (JFK) to Cape Town (CPT) take around 20 hours, while flights from Los Angeles take around 22 to 25 hours.

Cape Town, the “Mother City,” is a must-visit with stunning views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. It has multicultural neighborhoods, historical sites like Robben Island, beautiful beaches, and world-class vineyards in the Cape Winelands. The Garden Route along the southeastern coast is famous for its forests, beaches, and charming towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Kruger National Park in the northeast is a top wildlife sanctuary, offering incredible safari experiences with the Big Five and other wildlife roaming freely.

South Africa offers various transportation options, including minibus taxis, the primary form of public transport, though they can be overcrowded and unsafe. Formal bus services like Greyhound and Intercape and municipal buses operate in major cities. The Gautrain is a modern rapid rail system serving Johannesburg, Pretoria, and the airport. Domestic flights connect major airports for long distances, and rail services like Shosholoza Meyl and the luxury Blue Train provide scenic journeys.

Depending on the state, South Africa is 6 to 9 hours ahead of the U.S.

U.S. citizens do not need a visa when traveling to South Africa for tourism or business for 90 days or less.

Discover South Africa

Looking for cheap flights to South Africa? OneAir makes it easy to discover incredible flight deals to destinations around the world. Follow these simple steps to start saving on your next trip.

 

  • Set your departure airports on OneAir. Choose your preferred departure airports, and we’ll search for the cheapest flights from those cities to South Africa. OneAir offers deals from over 50 major US airports, so you can find the most convenient and affordable options. 
  • Be flexible with your travel dates. If your schedule allows, use our “Explore” or “Add Destinations” feature to find the most affordable days to fly to South Africa. Shifting your dates by just a day or two can often result in significant savings.
  • Turn on your notifications. We’ll notify you via email or push notification whenever the price for your selected route is at its lowest. This way, you’ll never miss a deal.
  • Compare flight options from multiple providers. Choose the cheapest, fastest, or most convenient flights to South Africa based on your priorities.
  • Filter for direct flights. If you prefer nonstop service to South Africa, simply tick the “Nonstop” box when searching. We’ll show you all available nonstop routes, so you can avoid lengthy layovers.
  • Get the best unpublished deals. Dreaming of a luxurious journey to South Africa? We also find the best deals on Premium Economy, Business, and First Class fares. Compare prices across all cabin classes – you might be surprised by an affordable premium seat.
  • Expand your search to nearby airports. Unlock even more deals by searching for flights to South Africa from nearby airports. This will show you flight prices from alternative departure airports close to your origin city.

Book a complete travel package. Once you’ve found your perfect flight to South Africa, why not add a hotel room or rental car? OneAir also offers exclusive hotel, car, and activity deals, so you can save even more on your entire trip.

 

Discover New Destinations with the “Explore” Tab. Not set on South Africa? Use our “Explore” search to find the cheapest flights from your city to anywhere in the world. You might just discover your next dream vacation spot!