Is it cheaper to fly from Lanseria or OR Tambo?

Prices are often similar, but Lanseria can be marginally cheaper for FlySafair routes. The bigger saving is time — Lanseria is faster to park, check in, and board. For north Johannesburg residents, Lanseria is almost always the better choice.

How do I get from Sandton to OR Tambo airport?

The Gautrain runs directly between OR Tambo and Sandton station in approximately 15 minutes. Uber from Sandton typically takes 25–40 minutes outside peak traffic. Always allow at least 90 minutes before your flight during busy periods.

Which airlines fly domestically from Johannesburg?

FlySafair and Lift are the main low-cost carriers from OR Tambo and Lanseria. Airlink covers regional routes to smaller cities and safari destinations. CemAir serves niche routes. SAA operates on major domestic and international routes.

✓ Verified flight hub Reviewed by VistaVoyage editorial team · Updated May 2026

✈ OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) 📍 Johannesburg, South Africa 🛫 12+ routes

Cheap Flights from Johannesburg

Q: Which airport do I fly from in Johannesburg?

OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the main hub for Johannesburg flights. If you live north of the city (Sandton, Fourways, Midrand, Centurion), also check Lanseria International Airport (HLA), which is served by FlySafair and significantly less congested.

Q: What is the cheapest month to fly from Johannesburg?

February and March are consistently the cheapest months for domestic flights from Johannesburg. August to October offers the second best value. December and school holidays (June–July) are the most expensive periods.

Johannesburg is South Africa's economic capital and the country's busiest aviation hub. OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) is one of the top three busiest airports in Africa, handling direct flights to all major domestic destinations, key African cities, and intercontinental routes. If you live in Sandton, Fourways, or the West Rand, also check Lanseria Airport (HLA) — served by FlySafair with shorter queues and easier access.

💡 Also check: Lanseria International Airport (HLA) for north Johannesburg

Compare Live Prices on Travelstart →

JNB

IATA Code

12+

Destinations

February–March

Best value months

4–8 weeks

Ideal booking window

All Flights from Johannesburg

Click any route to compare live prices and book via Travelstart.

Johannesburg → Cape Town ~2h FlySafair, Lift, SAA, Airlink Johannesburg → Durban ~1h FlySafair, Lift, SAA, CemAir Johannesburg → Gqeberha ~1h 30m Airlink, FlySafair Johannesburg → George ~1h 45m FlySafair, Airlink, CemAir Johannesburg → East London ~1h 30m Airlink Johannesburg → Bloemfontein ~1h 10m Airlink, CemAir Johannesburg → Nelspruit ~50m Airlink, FlySafair Johannesburg → Hoedspruit ~55m Airlink Johannesburg → Victoria Falls ~1h 30m Airlink, SAA Johannesburg → Harare ~2h Airlink, SAA Johannesburg → Maputo ~50m Airlink Johannesburg → Skukuza ~55m Airlink

Browse the full South Africa flights hub →

Flights from Johannesburg to Durban

The Johannesburg to Durban route is South Africa's second busiest domestic corridor alongside JNB–CPT, both pulling 33,000+ monthly searches. It connects Gauteng's business hub to KwaZulu-Natal's coast — a mix of business travellers, beachgoers, and family visits. FlySafair and Lift compete directly, keeping fares sharp.

✈ Airlines

FlySafair, Lift, CemAir, Airlink, SAA

🕐 Flight time

~1 hour direct

📅 Best months

February–March, Aug–Oct

🔗 Book ahead

4–6 weeks for best fares

Compare JHB → Durban fares →

Flights from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha

JNB to Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) is one of the most searched routes from Johannesburg to the Eastern Cape, with 5,400+ monthly searches. Airlink and FlySafair both serve this route, connecting OR Tambo to Gqeberha's Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport. The Eastern Cape's Addo Elephant National Park and the Wild Coast make this a popular leisure destination.

JHB → Gqeberha fares → JHB → Port Elizabeth fares →

Booking Tips for Flights from Johannesburg

Best value months: February–March, August–October
Peak periods (book early): December, June–July school holidays, Easter
Best day of week: Tuesday or Wednesday
Ideal booking window: 4–8 weeks ahead for most routes
Book 4–8 weeks ahead for domestic routes. Lanseria is faster to navigate than OR Tambo — check both airports when searching FlySafair routes.

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💡 Pro tip: Book 4–8 weeks out for the best prices. Prices on popular domestic routes rise sharply within 2 weeks of departure.

Frequently Asked Questions — Flights from Johannesburg

Which airport do I fly from in Johannesburg?

OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the main departure point for flights from Johannesburg. If you live north of the city, also check Lanseria International Airport (HLA) which is served by FlySafair and can save significant time.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Johannesburg?

February and March are typically the cheapest months to fly domestically from Johannesburg — the post-summer lull before winter holidays. August to October also offers good value before the December rush.

How do I get from central Johannesburg to OR Tambo airport?

The Gautrain rapid rail service runs directly between OR Tambo and Sandton station — it takes about 15 minutes. Taxis, Uber, and car hire are also available. Allow 45–90 minutes from Sandton depending on traffic.

Which airlines fly from Johannesburg?

FlySafair, Lift, CemAir, Airlink, and South African Airways (SAA) all operate from Johannesburg. FlySafair and Lift dominate the low-cost domestic market. Airlink covers more regional and smaller-city routes.

Is it cheaper to fly from Lanseria than OR Tambo?

Sometimes. FlySafair operates from Lanseria to several destinations including Cape Town and Durban. If you live north of Johannesburg, Lanseria is closer and the airport is significantly less congested. Always compare both when searching.

How much are flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town?

Fares typically range from R700 to R2,500 one-way. FlySafair and Lift are the cheapest options. Book 4–8 weeks ahead, fly midweek, and avoid December and school holidays for the best prices. Compare live JHB→CPT fares →

How much are flights from Johannesburg to Durban?

Fares range from R600 to R2,000 one-way. One of South Africa's most competitive routes — FlySafair and Lift both operate multiple daily flights. Midweek departures booked 4–6 weeks ahead return the lowest prices. Compare live JHB→DUR fares →

What are the baggage allowance rules for airlines flying from Johannesburg?

FlySafair and Lift include a 7 kg cabin bag only — checked luggage is a paid add-on. Airlink and SAA generally include one checked bag in the base fare. Always check your specific fare at booking — airport baggage fees are far more expensive than pre-purchased allowances.

What direct African routes fly from Johannesburg?

OR Tambo has direct connections to Harare, Maputo, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Windhoek, Mauritius, Zanzibar, and more. Airlink and SAA cover most regional African routes. Always check for a direct service before assuming you need to connect through another hub.

OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)

OR Tambo International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Africa, handling over 20 million passengers annually. It sits in Kempton Park, approximately 25 km east of Sandton and 40 km from the Johannesburg CBD. The airport has two main terminals — Terminal A (international and domestic) and Terminal B — connected by an internal shuttle. Domestic check-in closes 45 minutes before departure; arrive at least 90 minutes early during peak periods.

Getting to OR Tambo: The Gautrain runs directly between OR Tambo and Sandton (15 min, R200) and Pretoria. Uber from Sandton takes 25–40 minutes outside peak hours. Parking is available on-site but expensive for multi-day trips — consider the Gautrain or a shuttle service.

Also check Lanseria (HLA): If you live in Sandton, Fourways, Midrand, or Centurion, Lanseria International Airport is significantly closer and far less congested. FlySafair operates from Lanseria to Cape Town, Durban, and George. The time saving is often 1.5–2 hours door-to-door.

Airlines Flying from Johannesburg

FlySafair — South Africa's largest low-cost carrier. Operates from both OR Tambo and Lanseria. Routes include Cape Town, Durban, George, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, and more. Known for on-time performance and competitive base fares.

Lift — Premium low-cost carrier focused on the Golden Triangle (JNB–CPT, JNB–DUR, CPT–DUR). Newer aircraft, slightly more legroom, strong on-time record. Worth comparing against FlySafair on main routes.

Airlink — Regional specialist covering smaller SA cities including Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, Skukuza, Phalaborwa, Kimberley, Margate, and international routes to Harare, Maputo, and Livingstone. Baggage typically included.

CemAir — Serves niche routes including Plettenberg Bay and some smaller cities not covered by larger carriers.

South African Airways (SAA) — Full-service carrier with domestic and international routes from OR Tambo. Typically includes checked baggage.

Top Flight Destinations from Johannesburg

→ Cape Town (~2h) — South Africa's most popular domestic route. Multiple daily departures on FlySafair, Lift, SAA, Airlink and CemAir. Gateway to Table Mountain, the Winelands, and the Atlantic Seaboard. Cape Town travel guide →

→ Durban (~1h) — SA's most frequent domestic route. Warm beaches, Golden Mile, and Indian Ocean cuisine. FlySafair, Lift, SAA, and CemAir all operate this route with multiple daily flights.

→ George / Garden Route (~1h 45m) — Gateway to the Garden Route via George Airport. FlySafair, Airlink and CemAir serve this route. Garden Route guide →

→ Nelspruit / Kruger (~50m) — Fastest way to reach Kruger National Park. Airlink and FlySafair operate this route. Kruger safari guide →

→ Hoedspruit (~55m) — Best airport for private game reserves west of Kruger (Timbavati, Kapama, Thornybush). Served by Airlink.

When Are Flights from Johannesburg Cheapest?

Johannesburg's domestic flight prices follow a clear seasonal pattern:

February–March: Cheapest period of the year. No school holidays, low demand post-summer.
August–October: Second best value window. Spring, pre-summer pricing.
June–July: School holidays — book 8–10 weeks ahead.
December–January: Most expensive. Book 10–12 weeks ahead minimum. Last-minute fares can triple.
Easter long weekend: Short but sharp price spike — book 6 weeks ahead.

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