$798 Find Cheap Flights to South Africa – Compare and Save

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Australia to South Africa departing on 31/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Cheap Flights to South Africa

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
Johannesburg
Johannesburg1 stop$1,619
Cape Town
Cape Town2 stops$1,517
Durban
Durban3 stops$1,832
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth2 stops$2,079
Hoedspruit
Hoedspruit2 stops$2,478
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein2 stops$2,333
Johannesburg
Johannesburg1 stop$1,619
Cape Town
Cape Town2 stops$1,517
Durban
Durban3 stops$1,832
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth2 stops$2,079
Hoedspruit
Hoedspruit2 stops$2,478
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein2 stops$2,333
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to South Africa

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights to South Africa to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest flight to South Africa?

These are the best return prices found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 5 days.

The cheapest ticket to South Africa from Australia found in the last 5 days was to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport, at $1,812 return. The most popular route is Perth (PER) to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) and the cheapest return ticket found on this route in the last 5 days was $1,812.

How much is a flight to South Africa?

The average and cheapest price for all round-trip flights to South Africa from each origin found by users searching on KAYAK in the last month.

A flight to South Africa costs $1,910 on average. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $1,163 for the route Perth (PER) to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB). The most popular routes on KAYAK are Sydney to Johannesburg which costs $2,345 on average, and Perth to Johannesburg, which costs $2,387 on average.

See prices from:

What is the cheapest month to fly from Australia to South Africa?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for flights from Australia to South Africa, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Australia to South Africa is February, when tickets cost $1,046 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and June, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $1,585 and $1,439 respectively.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to South Africa?

The average price for all round-trip flights from Australia to South Africa depending on the time of departure, clicked by users on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

The cheapest time of day to fly to South Africa is generally in the morning, when retur flights cost $2,316 on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to South Africa is generally in the morning, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $2,316.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Australia to South Africa?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights to South Africa, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below-average price on a flight from Australia to South Africa, you should book around 7 weeks before departure, which saves you about 10% compared to booking last-minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 23 weeks before departure.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in South Africa?

Prices will differ depending on the departure airport, but generally, the cheapest airport to fly to in South Africa is Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB), with an average flight price of $1,371.

Good to know

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

$798
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 6% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (31% more expensive on average)
Flight from Perth to Johannesburg

FAQs - booking South Africa flights

  • What are the major airports in South Africa?

    There are several major international airports in South Africa, dotted across the country. The O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Lanseria International Airport (HLA) both serve Pretoria and Johannesburg, the King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is located near Duban, and the Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is about an hour out of Cape Town in Matroosfontein.

  • Where should I fly into to explore South Africa?

    South Africa is a large country and the most efficient way to explore everything the country has to offer is to fly between the main centres. South Africa’s biggest airport is the O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg. From here you will be able to connect to many domestic flights all over the country, as well as explore the sites of one of South Africa’s major cities. However, the most centrally placed large city in South Africa is Bloemfontein, serviced by the Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN)

  • Does South Africa have any local airlines?

    There is a wide range of airlines based in South Africa. South Africa’s major airline is South African Airways which also flies internationally. Due to the country’s historic ties with the UK, British Airways also has a strong presence in South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg. SA Express and SA Airlink also offer a range of flights throughout Southern Africa.

  • How do I travel around South Africa on a budget?

    The most popular budget airline in South Africa for locals and tourists alike is Kulula. Often fondly referred to as the green dragon, it flies to many of South Africa’s major ports. The bright orange Mango Airlines is another good alternative, as is FlySafair, the budget airline owned by Safair. To help you get around South Africa, you can combine your flights with the various regional bus services including Greyhound, Intercape, and Baz Bus.

  • Which is a convenient airport for Robben Island?

    Robben Island is a top attraction in South Africa. You may not find a direct flight from Australia to the destination, but flying to Cape Town International Airport is convenient. You can then take a car or ferry, which takes roughly 30min to reach the site.

  • Which airport is close to Soweto?

    O.R. Tambo International Airport is an ideal destination if you’re flying from Australia to South Africa to visit Soweto. You can then take a train or bus to the destination. Taking a shuttle would also be ideal, as it only takes roughly 33min to reach Soweto.

  • Which holidays affect flights to South Africa?

    South Africa celebrates various annual holidays that could impact your travel. Most of these holidays, such as Heritage Day, celebrate cultural diversity and the country’s history, attracting thousands of tourists. Fares often hike due to high demand, so be sure to book in advance or consider alternative dates.

  • Can I bring my pet when flying to South Africa?

    It’s important that you check your airline’s policies to choose what suits best when travelling with a pet. Qantas allows service animals in the passenger cabin while other pets travel in a dedicated area in the aircraft. Singapore Airlines allow emotional support pets on board, free of charge, and other pets as checked luggage.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Australia to South Africa?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Australia to South Africa.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Australia to South Africa?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from Australia to South Africa is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Australia to South Africa?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly from Australia to South Africa with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Australia to South Africa?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from Australia to South Africa up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to South Africa?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to South Africa is Monday when return tickets can be as cheap as $2,023. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Saturday, when return prices are $2,367 on average.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to South Africa

  • Looking for cheap airfare to South Africa? 25% of our users found return tickets to South Africa for the following prices or less: From Perth $3,893, from Sydney $4,315
  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest South Africa flight deals.
  • From Australia, the easiest locations in South Africa to fly to are Johannesburg and Cape Town. You can find flights to these cities from Melbourne, Brisbane, or Sydney with only one stopover.
  • There are many long-haul carriers that offer flights from Australia to South Africa such as Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific. If you want to fly local, Qantas Airlines offers flights to Johannesburg.
  • Surfers and sea-lovers looking to enjoy the southern coast can either fly into Cape Town International Airport (CPT) or Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ). Between the major cities are plenty of coastline and many popular surfing locations. It takes approximately 8h to drive from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
  • If you’re looking to enjoy the natural reserves and safari parks in South Africa, Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga is a good option. This area is served by the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), or many travel from Johannesburg, which is a 3 to 4h drive to Nelspruit.
  • Australian passport holders will not need a visa to enter South Africa whether you’re travelling as a tourist or on business, provided your stay is only for up to 90 days. However, you will need to pay a tourism or visa fee on entry into South Africa.
  • Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia, South African Airways and Etihad Airways operate flights on this route. Virgin Australia offers competitive prices and flexibility to popular destinations in South Africa. There are typically four classes available: Economy Classic, Economy Delight, Premium and Upper Class. You can also enjoy a comfortable and hospitable trip to South Africa with Etihad Airways.
  • It is wise to choose your arrival airport based on your final destination in South Africa and the price. If you want to stay or travel around Johannesburg, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) will be a good bet because of its proximity to several destinations and accommodation options. Alternatively, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is a good choice to access the South African business hub.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to South Africa

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Australia to South Africa? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.2
Singapore AirlinesOverall score based on 1584 reviews
8.0Comfort
8.1Entertainment
7.8Food
8.3Boarding
8.6Crew
Airline reviews

I had the worst experience of my life in travel. Due to circumstances beyond my control (catastrophic traffic accidents on the highway between Gold Coast and Brisbane) I missed my flight for the first time ever. Because I booked through Kayak Singapore Airlines were not interested in helping me. They told me to contact the agent that I booked through. I was extremely stressed as I had connecting flights in Europe. First Kayak told me that the next available flights were in four days time. Then they told me that they could do it but at a cost of $2600 AUD. When I agreed he told me that he was having trouble getting it through Singapore’s system and he would contact me further once it had been done. When I had not heard from him after several hours, I phoned Kayak again, spoke to a different person who said he could do it for $8200. I declined and told him to cancel the booking. The worst part of this experience was that I had booked 5 flights altogether with Singapore including Premium Economy on two legs and Singapore cancelled all my flights including the return legs leaving me with having to completely reschedule my entire trip. Kayak refunded me $2000 from $5200, obviously leaving me out of pocket. This has left me feeling that I will never deal with Kayak or Singapore Airlines again.

2.0 MediocreJanine, July 2026
Read more Singapore Airlines reviews

I had the worst experience of my life in travel. Due to circumstances beyond my control (catastrophic traffic accidents on the highway between Gold Coast and Brisbane) I missed my flight for the first time ever. Because I booked through Kayak Singapore Airlines were not interested in helping me. They told me to contact the agent that I booked through. I was extremely stressed as I had connecting flights in Europe. First Kayak told me that the next available flights were in four days time. Then they told me that they could do it but at a cost of $2600 AUD. When I agreed he told me that he was having trouble getting it through Singapore’s system and he would contact me further once it had been done. When I had not heard from him after several hours, I phoned Kayak again, spoke to a different person who said he could do it for $8200. I declined and told him to cancel the booking. The worst part of this experience was that I had booked 5 flights altogether with Singapore including Premium Economy on two legs and Singapore cancelled all my flights including the return legs leaving me with having to completely reschedule my entire trip. Kayak refunded me $2000 from $5200, obviously leaving me out of pocket. This has left me feeling that I will never deal with Kayak or Singapore Airlines again.

Crew were so busy Anna so awesome. I was in a seat that got my food nearly last but the crew were Just awesome.

Lounge a access was excellent as was the attentiveness and service from the crew as always. The food and drink supplied were of good quality. The entertainment system had a good selection and I liked the mapping system supplied. However the screen wild have been bigger and the operation a little smoother to navigate. The seats were barely comfortable, but adequate.

Headwind delayed our flight which wasn’t the airlines fault

Horrendous. We upgraded and they took the money but cancelled one of our tickets. The recline action didn’t work on the seats for the flight from Singapore to London, pre booked meals but they seemed to have disappeared as well.. Phone customer service was horrendous. Took 5 phone calls and no fix. Craig at the airport was the only one who seemed to be able to get the ticket back.

Food could have been better. Too many passengers getting up and down all the time.

Delayed 1hour due to storm still didn't get window seat for third flight despite paying £240 extra to book them

It was an average flight. I would have expected more from this airline. Food, seats, service, etc was just average. I just give them some extra points for offering free WiFi on board with just a Krisflyer account.

Check in was easy through self-check-in kiosks just like domestic flights. Staff onboard were fantastic. Some "book the cook" good options weren't great, others really good. Entertainment options a bit limited to what I've experienced on Qantas. Overall a good flight though, especially for the price.

Could not really fault anything. We had a really short time between flights (about 45 mins), and had to get across the other side of the terminal. But we made it and crew were helpful. Food was good and service for the kids was great.

It was delayed for 2 hrs. Flight attendants were not attentive.

We boarded but due to a technical issue we spent 4.5hrs on the ground waiting for the issue to be resolved

No kids provided. Instead we were told to have contacted the airline that we have kids and require kids meals. We were not the only ones who inquired about kids meals. It’s odd. Emirates and other airlines give kids meals as standard and before the adult food comes out. The rice in our meals was gluggy and under cooked. The chicken was also raw. Sadly not the best experience with Finn Air. The hostesses tried to compensate with the snacks and drinks but missed the mark by a long way. Especially when paying Emirates/Qantas prices

They cancelled our flight, rebooked, cancelled that one. We are now flying New Zealand Air and need a refund please. How do we get it?

Wifi was not operational for the whole trip. Other than this, flight was well received .

Food no so good. Extra charge to much for front seats cost me £163 then other people sat near me for nothing 🤬

Comfort and customer service from most if the crew was great. The crew reassigning passengers should consider the presence of infants when reassigning seats. Unfortunately a couple of oversized passengers were relocated next to us, making this segment a bit uncomfortable, as there was not only extra leg space required. I ended up swapping seats with my husband so our baby wouldn't be impacted. My husband travelled quite uncomfortable as the reassigned neighbour shoulder and arm ended up on my husband's seat

Seats are not as easy to move as you would hope in premium econo Y

The plane was very old and uncomfortable. Service was very slow!

On both legs of my trips (Jhb - Dxb and Dxb - Jhb) the entertainment system did not work.

I had a very good experience from boarding to arrivals.

I had booked a ticket for a 6:40 am departure in July 2025, but it appears there was a change to 8;00 am, which meant I missed my connecting flight which departed 10 m minutes before I landed. I had seen this problem only the previous day and try to resolve it with South African air, but they are very uncooperative on the phone. All they could say was all flights were fully booked and I ended up buying paying $2,000+ to secure a ticket for my family to ensure we got out of South Africa by Monday, which am currently pursuing with the airline.

Excellent airline. Even with 1.5 hour flight, we got light meal on board

South African Airways on the outside, a very old shabby Qatar Airways plane on the inside

The food options were beef or veg, No alternatives for Hindus, that don't eat beef...

Flight was on time Seats ( business class) are terrible- you keep on slipping down as it doesn’t lie flat Food service is like economy class. Meals ( still wrapped in plastic) are just dropped in front of you

On time flight; otherwise not impressed by the check- in- purchased business class and the aircraft was downgraded; no refund given for the difference. Told I could access the lounge due to the above and was questioned by the lounge check- in person who was not friendly

Flight was cancelled with no notification until I reached the check-in desk at the airport. I also got downgraded and they lost my luggage.

The flight SA227 on 2nd March Sao Paulo to Cape Town was delayed by 3 hours. All other flights leaving Sao Paulo left on time. We were told that we were waiting for push back and a routing from Air traffic control. I don't believe this, what was the real reason for the flight delay?

I think more immigration officers at Or Tambo- I spent 90 mins in a queue before I can assisted and most people missed their appointments and meetings

Overall, it was a very good experience. I would have given it a 10/10, especially based on our flight from SFO to Melbourne. The cabin crew on that flight were wonderful and incredibly attentive. They took extra care when setting up our beds so we could sleep comfortably without being disturbed. Dinner was served promptly and smoothly. I woke up quite late, when the flight was already preparing for landing, and the crew still made sure I was taken care of. They brought me English tea in a proper cup, and when it was time to prepare the cabin for landing, they thoughtfully transferred it into a takeaway cup so I could continue enjoying it along with some breakfast. Those small, thoughtful gestures made the long flight feel much more comfortable and special. The service from the SFO to Melbourne crew was truly excellent.

From start to finish, every part of the experience was outstanding. The care and kindness shown to my 95-year-old mother was exceptional—truly 10 out of 10. From the assistance she received at Sydney Airport while boarding the plane to the help she was given when arriving at Wagga Wagga Airport, every staff member was friendly, professional, and genuinely caring. They made her feel comfortable, safe, and well looked after throughout her journey. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make my mother's trip such a wonderful experience. Your compassion and dedication are greatly appreciated.

My flight with Qantas was excellent, the crew were exceptional, the food was very good, and the seats were surprisingly spacious and comfortable. I was extremely disappointed when my checked bag did not make it onto my connecting flight, but was pleased with the ease of filing a report of a missing bag with Qantas at the Auckland airport - there, my pleasure ended. I can see, with an apple tag on my bag, that it is still in Sydney and has not moved in more than 30 hours. I shared the tracking information with Qantas and was assured when I filed the missing bag report that my bag would be delivered first thing the next morning on the next flight from Sydney to Auckland. Qantas' missing bag tracking feature still lists its status as "searching for your bag, check back later" more than a full 24 hours after filing the report despite my having shared tracking information, a photo of the bag, and calling the customer care line and being assured that an "urgent action message" had been sent to the team in Sydney. The lack of communication from Qantas' customer service department and the lack of action after an incredibly expensive business class ticket price is outrageous and has, definitively, affected my willingness to consider flying Qantas in the future, much less on long-haul international flights with high cost airfare.

Going from Sydney to London on a single flight number was very convenient, not having to worry about changing planes. Entertainment system on A380 economy cabin is very dated. Lavatories are small. The self serve refreshments have been significantly reduced since the A380 first started.

It was ok, but not what it was like 20 years ago

Great food and good entertainment options for the long flight.

It seems that qantas are trying hard to regain their status as Australia's premier airline. I only flew economy but happy with the service entertainment, food, configuration everything.

I never flew with alliance. Kayak is a joke and none of the flights or times were correct. Won’t ever use kayak again

I missed my flight due to unforeseen circumstances It was, however , an excellent price !

Everything as good as can be if one flies economy bit not enough toilets!! People were queuing during the whole flight - there are really not enough toilets!!!

Overall the crew were friendlier than similar premium airlines like Cathay or Singapore. Seat was good. Food was excellent.. the starlink wifi was a real plus. The entertainment was just ok.

Very poor No information given to why we turned around.. No one at airport to help

Friendly and discreet staff. Could have done with a few more offers of water/snacks overnight. Movie and tv selection notably poor. Seats not especially comfortable

I am a big person and have back pain and swelling in my legs, so this was a challenging flight due to confined space. I didn't find the crew very friendly either. I will think twice before flying long distances with Qatar again, due to the lack of legroom.

Good. It would be great if comfort seats were available

The check-in and crew staff were wonderful. The food was reasonable. The online side Qatar was very poor. Seats were very tight and not very comfortable for a 14 hour flight!

I found it weird that the quality of the flight different from Australia to Doha than the Doha to Berlin leg. The quality of the toiletries pack (was in a box from Australia) and then a proper bag from Doha. The biggest variation was the inflight entertainment, which had a significantly shorter amount of content compared to the Doha flight. My QSuite seat was also broken and did not recline all the way flat. Wasn’t the best and I wouldn’t be happy if I’d paid cash for the flight.

The plane from Dublin to Doha was quite comfortable. I was in economy and the seats and rows were very tight. The man in front of me reclined his seat and it made my screen incredibly close to my face and I wasn’t able to take my tray down and my knees were pressed against the seat. I had to ask three times for him to pull his seat up but in his defence he hadn’t even reclined it far, the rows were just too close. I had a pain in my side by the end of the flight from the chairs which were quite worn and not very padded or supportive. It was a significantly inferior plane to the plane from Doha to Sydney and vice versa.

Flight could have been better. Sandwiches provided in the meal were inedible. Service was pathetic

Check-in staff were not very pleasing and sounded to be rude, even though I hold a platinum membership. The aircraft is brand new and good. As it's a short flight no other comments.

Everything you need to know for your flight to South Africa

Cabin class types available on flights to South Africa

Cabin classes available on flights to South Africa. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.