1. Always start with a trusted comparison tool
When you’re in a rush, it’s tempting to click the first “R299 flights!” ad on social media. The problem? Many of those sites are outdated, full of hidden fees or not even based in South Africa.
A proper comparison tool shows live fares from multiple airlines side by side and lets you filter by time, airline and baggage – so you don’t get surprised later.
- Look for real-time pricing, not “from” prices that never appear at checkout.
- Make sure you can clearly see which airline operates the flight.
- Check that taxes and mandatory fees are included in the price.
2. Be flexible with departure times (not just dates)
On busy domestic routes like Johannesburg ⇄ Cape Town or Johannesburg ⇄ Durban, the time of day can matter as much as the date.
Early morning, midday and Sunday evening flights are often more expensive. Late-night or middle-of-the-day flights can be cheaper – especially if you’re booking last minute.
- Search across the whole day instead of locking to one exact time.
- Compare early-morning vs late-night flights – sometimes there’s a big difference.
- If your schedule allows, fly a few hours earlier or later to save a few hundred rand.
3. Check both Joburg airports when you can
If you’re flying from Johannesburg, you often have two options: OR Tambo (JNB) and Lanseria (HLA).
On some dates, one airport is noticeably cheaper than the other – even on the same airline.
- Search flights from both OR Tambo and Lanseria when comparing.
- Factor in travel time to each airport and parking or Uber costs.
- If prices are similar, choose the airport that makes your day less stressful.
4. Travel with hand luggage only if possible
Many last-minute tickets look cheap at first, but jump in price once you add a checked bag.
If you’re going away for a weekend or quick business trip, travelling with hand luggage only can keep the total cost down and speed up your airport experience.
- Check the airline’s cabin bag size and weight limits before you pack.
- Use packing cubes or a soft carry-on to maximise space.
- Avoid bringing heavy or bulky items you won’t actually use.
5. Watch for genuine flash sales – but don’t wait forever
Airlines and OTAs occasionally run short flash sales, even close to departure. These can be worth jumping on – but only if the deal is real and the site is reputable.
If you’ve been tracking prices for a few days and see a clear drop on a trusted site, that’s usually your moment to book.
- Ignore unbelievable prices on unknown websites.
- If you see a good price on a trusted platform, don’t overthink it.
- Remember that waiting until the day before almost always costs more.
6. Avoid sketchy booking sites and fake support numbers
Last-minute stress is exactly when people get caught by scam websites or fake "customer support" numbers.
If a site has no clear contact details, weird payment pages or doesn’t tell you which airline you’re flying with – close the tab.
- Only book through reputable South African partners or well-known global platforms.
- Look for HTTPS and secure payment gateways at checkout.
- If something feels off, rather pay a bit more on a site you trust.
7. Set realistic expectations for peak dates
Around long weekends, school holidays and December, true “bargain” last-minute fares are rare. The goal becomes finding a reasonable price – not an unrealistic steal.
If you know you might travel, start checking from Tuesday or Wednesday for weekend flights. You’ll have more choice and better odds of a decent fare.