Getting to South Africa — Flights, Entry Points & Arrival Tips

Getting to South Africa is easier and more affordable than many travellers expect. The country is well-connected to the world’s major aviation hubs, and the long-haul flights (while substantial from the UK, US, and Australia) are made comfortable by the excellent choice of airlines serving the routes.

South Africa has three international gateways: the massive OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, the scenic Cape Town International, and the growing King Shaka International near Durban. Knowing which to use — and which airlines and routes represent the best value — can save you both time and money.

OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) — Johannesburg

OR Tambo International is Africa’s busiest and best-connected airport. Named after struggle hero Oliver Reginald Tambo, it handles approximately 20 million passengers annually and connects South Africa to 150+ destinations globally. It’s the hub for all major international airlines serving sub-Saharan Africa.

Terminal layout: OR Tambo has a single integrated terminal with an international section and a domestic section. Connections between international arrivals and the domestic terminal are well-signposted but can take 20–30 minutes walking, so allow adequate connection time.

Recommended connection time: For international-to-domestic connections (e.g., flying in from London and connecting to a Kruger-area airport), allow a minimum of 2.5–3 hours. Immigration queues can be unpredictable.

Key airlines flying into JNB:

• South African Airways (SAA) — the national carrier, with direct routes from London Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong among others
• British Airways / Comair — London Heathrow direct
• Emirates — connecting via Dubai, with excellent frequencies and competitive pricing
• Qatar Airways — connecting via Doha
• Ethiopian Airlines — connecting via Addis Ababa (often the most affordable option from London and Europe)
• KLM — connecting via Amsterdam
• Lufthansa — connecting via Frankfurt
• Singapore Airlines — connecting via Singapore (popular with Australian travellers)

From OR Tambo to the city: The Gautrain rapid rail link connects OR Tambo to Sandton station in approximately 15 minutes (R200) and to Pretoria in approximately 40 minutes (R195). Trains run every 12 minutes during peak hours (Monday–Friday, 5:30am–8:30pm) and every 30 minutes at other times.

Uber is widely available and cost-effective: R200–R350 to Sandton, R250–R400 to Rosebank, R400–R600 to central Pretoria.

Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Cape Town International is South Africa’s second-largest airport and the main gateway for the Western Cape, Garden Route, and Winelands. It’s far smaller and more pleasant to navigate than OR Tambo.

Direct international routes: British Airways (from London Heathrow), KLM (via Amsterdam), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), and Emirates (via Dubai) all offer direct or single-stop services to Cape Town. SAA has also operated this route. Cape Town is increasingly well-connected directly to Europe, reducing the need to connect through Johannesburg.

Key airlines: British Airways direct from Heathrow (approximately 11 hours); KLM from Amsterdam; Lufthansa from Frankfurt; Emirates via Dubai.

From CPT to the city:

• Uber — most convenient, approximately R200–R280 to the city centre, Sea Point, or Camps Bay
• Metered taxis — available at the taxi rank, approximately R250–R350
• MyCiTi bus — a scheduled service runs from the airport to the city centre and Gardens area for approximately R100–R130 (requires a MyCiTi card, purchasable at the airport)
• Car hire — all major companies have desks in the arrivals hall. The drive into the city (N2 highway) is approximately 20–30 minutes without traffic

King Shaka International Airport (DUR) — Durban

Named after the famous Zulu king, King Shaka International (DUR) is 35km north of Durban near the town of La Mercy. It handles domestic South African routes daily plus some regional African routes. Most international travellers connect through Johannesburg or Cape Town; the airport is most useful for visitors flying in from Europe via one of the hub airports.

Uber and metered taxis serve the airport, with a fare to central Durban of approximately R280–R380.

Domestic Airports

If your trip involves moving between major regions, South Africa’s domestic airports are worth knowing:

• Kruger Mpumalanga International (MQP) — near Nelspruit/Mbombela, serves the Kruger gateway
• Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) — serves the southern Kruger private reserves area (Sabi Sands)
• Chief Dawid Stuurman International, Gqeberha (PLZ) — serves the Eastern Cape
• George Airport (GRJ) — serves the Garden Route
• Polokwane International (PTG) — serves northern Limpopo
• Upington International (UTN) — serves the Northern Cape

Flight Times at a Glance

Arrival Tips

Immigration: Complete your immigration form on the plane (or at e-gates if applicable). Have your passport, completed form, and accommodation address ready. Do not queue-jump — immigration officers are strict.

Baggage: Domestic and connecting baggage on South African Airways and partner airlines is generally well-managed. Keep your baggage tags.

Currency: You can exchange currency at the airport, but rates are better in town at major banks or authorised exchange bureaus. Withdraw Rands from an airport ATM if you need immediate cash — use a bank-branded ATM rather than independent ones.

SIM cards: South African SIM cards (Vodacom, MTN, Telkom) are sold at airport shops. A local SIM with data is very useful — R150–R300 will give you a starter pack with enough data for a week or two.

Time: South Africa operates on SAST (South Africa Standard Time), UTC+2, year-round. There is no daylight saving time, which makes scheduling simpler.