George Airport Guide 2026: Your Garden Route Gateway (GRJ)
George Airport is the easiest way to reach the Garden Route without the 4–5 hour Cape Town drive. Here's everything South African travellers need — airlines, car hire, distances to Knysna and Mossel Bay, and practical tips for hitting the road the moment you land.
Airport Basics
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| IATA code | GRJ |
| Full name | George Airport |
| Location | George, Western Cape |
| Distance from George town centre | ~10km (10–15 min) |
| Distance to Wilderness | ~15km (15 min) |
| Distance to Mossel Bay | ~55km (45–50 min) |
| Distance to Knysna | ~70km (55–70 min) |
| Distance to Plettenberg Bay | ~110km (1h 20min) |
| Distance to Cape Town | ~430km (4–4.5h) |
| Terminal | Single compact terminal |
| Operator | ACSA |
Airlines and Routes from George (GRJ)
| Route | Airlines | Flight time | Typical fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg (JNB) → George | FlySafair, Airlink | ~1h 45min | R899–R2,400 |
| Cape Town (CPT) → George | Airlink | ~55 min | R799–R1,800 |
| Durban (DUR) → George | Airlink | ~1h 45min | R1,100–R2,600 |
| Lanseria (HLA) → George | Airlink | ~1h 50min | R950–R2,300 |
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Garden Route Distances from George Airport
George Airport is perfectly positioned as the Garden Route's central hub. Here's how far key destinations are from GRJ:
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| George town centre | ~10km | 10–15 min | Full services, supermarkets, fuel |
| Wilderness | ~15km | 15–20 min | First stop east on N2 |
| Sedgefield | ~40km | 35–40 min | Lagoon, Oubaai Golf |
| Knysna | ~70km | 55–70 min | Most popular stop; Knysna Heads |
| Plettenberg Bay | ~110km | 1h 20min | Bietou River, Robberg Nature Reserve |
| Mossel Bay | ~55km | 45–50 min | West of George via N2 |
| Oudtshoorn | ~60km | 50–60 min | Via Outeniqua Pass (R29) |
| Tsitsikamma | ~160km | 1h 50min | Bloukrans Bridge bungee, suspension bridge |
Car Hire at George Airport
Car hire is non-negotiable for exploring the Garden Route — public transport between towns is minimal and most scenic stops are only accessible by car. All major companies have desks at GRJ.
- Avis — widest selection including SUVs and premium vehicles
- Budget — strong value on compact cars
- Europcar — reliable for multi-day hire
- Hertz — good availability, wide choice of vehicle classes
- First Car Rental — local operator, competitive pricing
Getting Around from George Airport
Car Hire (Recommended)
The only practical way to explore the Garden Route independently. Collect your car on arrival and you're on the road within 20 minutes of landing.
Uber / Bolt
Uber operates in George but coverage is inconsistent, especially outside business hours. For the airport to George town centre, Uber is reasonable. For longer journeys to Knysna or Plett, Uber is unreliable and expensive — use car hire instead.
Airport Shuttles
Pre-arranged shuttles can take you to specific accommodation in George, Wilderness, and Knysna. Book through your accommodation or a local transfer operator. Rates to Knysna via shuttle: approximately R400–R600 per person.
Metered Taxis
Available from the taxi rank at arrivals. Negotiate the fare before departing. Airport to George town: approximately R120–R180.
Parking at George Airport
| Parking type | Approx. daily rate |
|---|---|
| Short-stay (close to terminal) | ~R100–R150/day |
| Long-stay / economy | ~R60–R90/day |
George Airport's parking is compact and straightforward. For trips of 3+ days, economy parking is excellent value. The airport is small enough that you won't need a shuttle from economy parking to the terminal.
Practical Tips
- Arrive 60 minutes before departure — George is a small airport and moves fast outside peak season. Allow 90 minutes during December and Easter.
- Check in online the night before — FlySafair and Airlink both open check-in 24–48 hours before departure.
- Fill up fuel in George before hitting the N2. Fuel stations get sparse east of Knysna toward Tsitsikamma.
- The Outeniqua Pass is stunning but take it slow if you're driving to Oudtshoorn — the mountain road is scenic and well-maintained but requires attention.
- Book Knysna and Plett accommodation in advance. Both towns fill up completely in December and Easter — rooms become nearly impossible to find at short notice.
- Terminal facilities are basic — a café and small shop. Eat before you fly or after you land in George.
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- Johannesburg to George flights — FlySafair + Airlink from ~R899
- Cape Town to George flights — Airlink ~55min
- Durban to George flights — Airlink ~1h 45min
- Lanseria to George flights — skip OR Tambo
- All flights from George (GRJ)
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is George Airport from Knysna?
Approximately 70km — around 55–70 minutes along the N2. The road is well-maintained and scenic from Wilderness onward. Knysna is the most popular stop on the eastern Garden Route and easily reached from GRJ on your arrival day.
Is it better to fly into George or Cape Town for the Garden Route?
For the Garden Route itself, George wins — you save 4–5 hours of driving from Cape Town. If your trip includes Cape Town, flying into Cape Town and doing a self-drive east toward George is a classic route. For a pure Garden Route trip, fly directly to George.
Which airlines fly to George Airport?
FlySafair and Airlink from Johannesburg, Airlink from Cape Town and Durban. The JHB route has two carriers which helps keep prices competitive. Cape Town to George is Airlink-only.
Is there car hire at George Airport?
Yes — Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and First Car Rental all operate from GRJ. Pre-book before you fly. December and Easter see car hire at George sell out completely for walk-ins.