Planning a trip to South Africa can be exciting, but finding affordable flights is often a top priority for travelers. Knowing when to book your tickets can make a significant difference in cost, allowing you to allocate more of your budget to experience this incredible destination’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife.
In this guide, we’ll explore the factors influencing flight prices to South Africa, helping you make informed decisions and secure the best deals for your journey.
When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to South Africa in 2024?
Generally, the cheapest time to fly to South Africa is during the winter months, from May to September. This is because it’s the off-season for tourism in South Africa, so there’s less demand for flights.
Here’s a breakdown of the cheapest month to fly depending on your priorities:
- Cheapest month overall: May
- Cheapest for good weather on the coast: March or April
- Cheapest for wildlife viewing: May to September (though it will be cold in some areas)
Cheapest Airlines that Fly to South Africa with Average Prices
Here are 8 of the cheapest airlines that fly to South Africa, along with average price ranges to keep in mind (based on searches throughout the year):
- Ethiopian Airlines (Starting at $700): Ethiopian Airlines is known for its extensive network and competitive prices.
- Kenya Airways (Starting at $750): Kenya Airways is another major African airline that offers frequent flights to South Africa.
- RwandAir (Starting at $800): RwandAir is a smaller airline but offers good connections for flights to South Africa.
- Egyptair (Starting at $850): Egyptair is the country’s national airline and offers flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Qatar Airways (Starting at $900): Qatar Airways is a premium airline with a good reputation for service, but it also tends to be a bit pricier.
- Turkish Airlines (Starting at $950): Turkish Airlines is another major airline with a good reputation for service and offers connecting flights to South Africa.
- Emirates (Starting at $1000): Emirates is a Dubai-based airline known for its luxurious cabins and in-flight service. Flights tend to be on the pricier side.
- Lufthansa (Starting at $1050): Lufthansa is a major German airline that offers connecting flights to South Africa.
Pros & Cons of Flying to South Africa During the Cheapest Time
Pros
- Save Money: This is the biggest advantage. Flights and accommodation will generally be cheaper during the off-season.
- Fewer Crowds: Popular tourist destinations will be less crowded, allowing for a more relaxed experience.
- Wildlife Viewing: May to September is considered a good time for wildlife viewing in some areas, especially for animals seeking cooler temperatures at lower elevations.
- Unique Activities: You might find off-season discounts on special activities or tours.
Cons
- Weather: South Africa experiences winter during these months. While some areas like Durban might have pleasant weather, expect colder temperatures, especially at night, and potentially more rain in coastal areas. This could impact your outdoor activities.
- Limited daylight: Days will be shorter, which might limit the amount of time you can spend sightseeing outdoors.
- Accommodation limitations: Some smaller lodges or tours might be closed during the off-season.
- Activity restrictions: Certain activities, like whale watching, might have limited availability depending on the specific month.
Additional Tips for Finding the Cheapest Flights to South Africa
- Utilize Flight Deal Websites and Apps: Several websites and apps specialize in finding and notifying you of discounted flights. Some popular options include Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going), Google Flights, and Secret Flying. These services can scan vast amounts of data and alert you of sudden price drops or error fares.
- Consider Budget Airlines: While not always the most comfortable option, budget airlines like [invalid URL removed] and Mango Airlines often offer significantly cheaper fares within South Africa, especially for shorter routes.
- Be Open to Multi-City Flights: If you have some flexibility with your itinerary, consider flying into a city different from your departure point. This can sometimes uncover cheaper options, especially if you can take advantage of one-way fares on different airlines.
- Explore Open-Jaw Flights: Open-jaw flights allow you to fly into one South African city and depart from another. This can be useful if you plan on traveling around the country and can potentially save money compared to returning to your original arrival airport.
- Leverage Credit Card Points and Miles: If you have a travel rewards credit card that accumulates points or miles, consider using them towards your flight. This can be a great way to save money, especially if you’ve been diligently collecting points.
- Clear Your Browser Cookies: Airlines and travel websites sometimes use cookies to track your searches and potentially inflate prices after you’ve shown interest in a particular route. Try clearing your browser cookies or using incognito/private browsing mode to avoid this tactic potentially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, midweek flights, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays, tend to be cheaper compared to weekends.
Booking your flight to South Africa around 2-3 months in advance usually yields the best prices.
Budget airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways often provide competitive prices for flights to South Africa.
Yes, flight prices can vary significantly depending on your departure city. Larger airports with more competition often offer better deals.
