Lift Johannesburg to Cape Town
Lift flies Johannesburg–Cape Town from OR Tambo on the Airbus A320, with a handful of departures a day. Its Economy Bag fare includes a 23 kg suitcase, which is often what decides whether Lift or FlySafair is cheaper.
Lift on Johannesburg–Cape Town at a glance
| Airports | OR Tambo (JNB) → Cape Town (CPT) · not Lanseria |
|---|---|
| Flights a day | About 4–7 |
| Flight time | About 2 hours non-stop |
| Aircraft | Airbus A320 |
| Cabin bag | 7 kg + personal item (2 × 7 kg on Premium) |
| Checked bag | None · 1 × 23 kg · 2 × 23 kg by fare |
| Online check-in | Opens 24 h, closes 2 h before departure |
Distance about 1,270 km; flight time about 2 hours. Baggage and check-in rules are taken from Lift’s own published policy. Schedules change, so confirm times and fare inclusions on the booking page before you pay.
Lift’s three fares
| Fare | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Economy No-Bag | 1 × 7 kg + personal item | None |
| Economy Bag | 1 × 7 kg + personal item | 1 × 23 kg |
| Premium | 2 × 7 kg + personal item | 2 × 23 kg + 1 sports item |
Cabin bags must fit 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Checked bags between 23 and 32 kg cost an extra R200 at check-in, and bags over 32 kg are not accepted. Source: Lift’s published baggage policy, checked 1 October 2026.
Lift or FlySafair on this route?
With a cabin bag only, FlySafair’s Lite fare usually has the lower headline price and many more departure times. With a suitcase, the comparison flips more often than people expect: Lift’s Economy Bag includes 23 kg, while FlySafair’s Standard bag is 20 kg. Price both on the same date with the bag included before you decide.
Comfort is the other reason to choose Lift. The A320 has a slightly wider cabin than FlySafair’s Boeing 737, which most people notice on a two-hour flight.
Getting to OR Tambo
Lift does not fly from Lanseria, so if you live in the north of Johannesburg, add the road time to OR Tambo — or take the Gautrain from Sandton or Pretoria, which runs straight into the terminal and avoids peak-hour traffic on the R24.
Arriving in Cape Town
Cape Town International is about 20 km from the city centre. Plan on e-hailing or a metered taxi: Uber or Bolt to the CBD or V&A Waterfront typically runs about R250–R380. The MyCiTi airport bus has been suspended since December 2022, so don’t budget for it.
Check Lift fares from Johannesburg to Cape Town
Live fares for every airline on the route via Travelstart, so you can compare Lift with the alternatives on your date.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Lift fly from Lanseria to Cape Town?
No. Lift flies from OR Tambo only. FlySafair is the only airline flying Lanseria to Cape Town.
Does Lift include a checked bag?
On Economy Bag (one 23 kg bag) and Premium (two 23 kg bags). Economy No-Bag includes a 7 kg cabin bag and a personal item only.
What aircraft does Lift fly to Cape Town?
The Airbus A320, which has a slightly wider cabin than the Boeing 737.
When does Lift online check-in close?
Two hours before departure. It opens 24 hours before.