About George Airport (GRJ)
George Airport (GRJ) is located approximately 10 km from the George CBD. The airport handles domestic flights within South Africa, primarily operated by FlySafair, Airlink, and CemAir. Check-in desks open at least 90 minutes before departure. Parking is available on-site.
Key tip: George is a smaller regional airport. Schedules can be limited, so check flexibility on your dates before committing to a fare. If you are continuing onto the Garden Route, all major car hire firms — Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Tempest — have desks in the arrivals hall.
FlySafair — South Africa's largest low-cost carrier. Flies George to Johannesburg and Lanseria, with seasonal capacity on other routes. Known for on-time performance and competitive base fares — usually the first airline to check for George–Gauteng trips.
Airlink — Regional specialist and the backbone of George's network. Connects George to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Gqeberha and other regional points. Checked baggage is typically included, which can make the all-in fare cheaper than it first appears.
CemAir — Serves selected niche routes that larger carriers skip. Worth comparing for less common George connections where capacity is tight.
→ Durban (~2h) — Connects the southern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal's warm-water coast. Compare dates carefully — frequency is lower than on the Gauteng and Cape Town routes.
→ Lanseria (~1h 45m) — The quicker airport for Sandton, Fourways and Midrand. Often a faster door-to-door option than OR Tambo for northern Joburg travellers.
When Are Flights from George Cheapest?
George's domestic flight prices follow a clear seasonal pattern, sharpened by Garden Route tourism demand:
- February–March: Cheapest period of the year. Post-summer lull, no school holidays.
- August–September: Second-best value window before the spring/summer tourist build-up.
- April & June–July: School holidays — book 6–8 weeks ahead.
- November–January: Peak Garden Route season. Most expensive; book 8–10 weeks ahead and lock car hire early.
- Easter long weekend: Short, sharp spike — book 6 weeks ahead.
Read more: Cheapest months to fly in South Africa | School holiday flight prices
Which airlines fly from George?
FlySafair, Airlink, and CemAir serve George Airport. FlySafair operates to Johannesburg and Lanseria. Airlink connects George to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Gqeberha, and other regional destinations. CemAir also operates selected routes.
Is there a direct flight from George to Cape Town?
Yes. Airlink and FlySafair operate direct flights between George (GRJ) and Cape Town (CPT). Flight time is approximately 45–50 minutes. Multiple daily departures are available.
How far is George Airport from Knysna and Plettenberg Bay?
George Airport is approximately 65 km from Knysna and 90 km from Plettenberg Bay. Both are accessible by car in under 1.5 hours, making George the logical fly-in point for the full Garden Route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from George?
February, March, and August–September are typically the lowest-fare months. The December festive season and school holidays in June–July see significant price increases. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for the best fares.
Can I hire a car at George Airport?
Yes. Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Tempest Car Hire all have desks at George Airport. Pre-booking is strongly recommended during school holidays and peak Garden Route season (November–January).
