1. Be flexible by 1–2 days on either side
If you only ever search for a single exact date, you’ll often hit the most expensive results. Shifting your trip by a day or even by a few hours can have a big impact on price.
Midweek flights between JHB and CPT are frequently cheaper than Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons when everyone is travelling home.
- Compare prices for at least three days around your ideal date.
- If you’re visiting family, ask if arriving a day earlier or later is okay.
- Avoid public holidays and big event weekends when possible.
2. Avoid peak “business” times if you can
Early Monday mornings and late Friday afternoons are prime business travel slots – and ticket prices usually reflect that.
If you don’t have to be in a 8am Monday meeting, you can often save by travelling at quieter times.
- Try late-morning or middle-of-the-day flights.
- Consider Saturday morning instead of Friday night.
- If you’re returning on Sunday, check very early or later-evening options.
3. Compare airlines properly – not just the headline price
FlySafair, Lift, Airlink, CemAir and SAA all operate the route at different times and with different inclusions.
One airline might show the lowest base fare, but another may include seat selection or bigger hand luggage at a similar total cost.
- Always compare total price after adding baggage and seat selection.
- Check what’s included in “Saver” vs “Plus” type fares.
- If you value on-time performance, factor that into your choice too.
4. Use date filters and sort from cheapest first
When you search JHB ⇄ CPT flights on a comparison tool, immediately sort by lowest price and then apply sensible filters.
Filtering out flights with awkward overnight connections or extremely long layovers keeps things realistic while still surfacing the best-value options.
- Sort by price, then filter by reasonable departure windows.
- Hide flights with long layovers unless you specifically want them.
- Compare at least 2–3 options before you click through to book.
5. Book earlier for school holidays and big events
December, Easter and long weekends are a different game. Prices rise earlier and cheap fare buckets sell out fast on this route.
If you already know you’ll be in Cape Town for Christmas or New Year, don’t wait for a miracle last-minute deal – lock in a sensible price early.
6. Travel with hand luggage only on short trips
For 2–3 day Cape Town breaks, many travellers can manage with a cabin bag and small personal item.
Doing this means you can book the cheapest hand-luggage-only fares and avoid extra baggage fees or queuing at the carousel.
- Check each airline’s hand luggage weight and size rules.
- Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane.
- Use packing cubes to keep things compact and organised.
7. Use price awareness, not obsession
After a few quick searches, you’ll get a feel for what’s normal for JHB ⇄ CPT on your dates. Once you see a price that’s clearly in the lower range from a trusted partner, that’s usually your cue to book.
Trying to time the absolute rock-bottom fare can lead to decision paralysis – and missing out when prices climb again.