$928 Find Cheap Flights to South Africa

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 25/8. 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 72 hours
Johannesburg
Johannesburg1 stop$1,504
Cape Town
Cape Town2 stops$1,632
Durban
Durban2 stops$2,013
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth2 stops$2,321
Hoedspruit
Hoedspruit2 stops$2,485
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein2 stops$2,630
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg2 stops$2,574
Johannesburg
Johannesburg1 stop$1,504
Cape Town
Cape Town2 stops$1,632
Durban
Durban2 stops$2,013
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth2 stops$2,321
Hoedspruit
Hoedspruit2 stops$2,485
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein2 stops$2,630
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg2 stops$2,574

Book Cheap South Africa Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights to South Africa that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to South Africa

Mon, 28 Sep - Mon, 12 Oct
Singapore Airlines Logo
23:35 - 19:20
MEL
-
JNB
27h 45m
1 stop
Singapore Airlines Logo
20:25 - 12:00
JNB
-
MEL
30h 35m
1 stop
$1,504Singapore Airlines
Mon, 24 Aug - Tue, 20 Oct
Singapore Airlines Logo
01:10 - 19:20
PER
-
JNB
24h 10m
1 stop
Singapore Airlines Logo
20:25 - 05:10
JNB
-
PER
26h 45m
1 stop
$1,513Singapore Airlines
Mon, 8 Jun - Wed, 17 Jun
Qatar Airways Logo
22:45 - 10:30
PER
-
JNB
41h 45m
1 stop
Qatar Airways Logo
12:40 - 18:35
JNB
-
PER
23h 55m
1 stop
$1,597Qatar Airways
Wed, 3 Jun - Wed, 17 Jun
Qatar Airways Logo
22:45 - 04:00
PER
-
JNB
35h 15m
1 stop
Qatar Airways Logo
12:40 - 18:35
JNB
-
PER
23h 55m
1 stop
$1,621Qatar Airways
Tue, 4 Aug - Thu, 13 Aug
Etihad Airways Logo
17:20 - 08:20
MEL
-
JNB
23h 00m
1 stop
Etihad Airways Logo
09:50 - 15:50
JNB
-
MEL
22h 00m
1 stop
$1,708Etihad Airways
Mon, 9 Nov - Thu, 26 Nov
Etihad Airways Logo
21:30 - 08:20
SYD
-
JNB
43h 50m
1 stop
Etihad Airways Logo
09:50 - 17:55
JNB
-
SYD
23h 05m
1 stop
$1,710Etihad Airways
Fri, 23 Oct - Tue, 3 Nov
South African Logo
20:45 - 10:25
MEL
-
CPT
22h 40m
2 stops
South African Logo
11:05 - 23:30
CPT
-
MEL
27h 25m
2 stops
$2,009South African
Wed, 3 Jun - Wed, 17 Jun
South African Logo
17:45 - 10:25
MEL
-
CPT
24h 40m
2 stops
South African Logo
20:25 - 19:55
CPT
-
MEL
39h 30m
2 stops
$2,029South African
Thu, 11 Jun - Thu, 18 Jun
Qantas Airways Logo
06:00 - 16:25
AVV
-
JNB
18h 25m
1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
18:45 - 22:50
JNB
-
AVV
20h 05m
1 stop
$2,134Qantas Airways
Wed, 4 Nov - Wed, 18 Nov
Qantas Airways Logo
06:00 - 15:00
AVV
-
JNB
18h 00m
1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
17:30 - 23:15
JNB
-
AVV
20h 45m
1 stop
$2,311Qantas Airways
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 72 hours.

The cheapest ticket to South Africa from Australia found in the last 72 hours was to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport, at $1,868 return. The most popular route is Perth (PER) to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) and the cheapest return airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $1,868.

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 $1,862 on average. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $1,171 for the route Perth (PER) to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB). The most popular routes on KAYAK are Perth to Johannesburg which costs $2,322 on average, and Sydney to Johannesburg, which costs $2,293 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 March, when tickets cost $1,452 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and June, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $2,647 and $1,967 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 $2,034 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 $2,034.

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 2 weeks before departure, which saves you about 13% compared to booking last-minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 15 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 $1,409.

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight$928
Best time to beat the crowds (22% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (36% 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 $1,862. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Saturday, when return prices are $2,065 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 $3,223, from Sydney $3,520
  • 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 1513 reviews
8.0Comfort
8.0Entertainment
7.8Food
8.6Crew
8.3Boarding
Airline reviews

Clean modern comfortable. Food could have been better, I only ate breakfast I wish they wouldn’t wake sleeping passengers who would rather sleep through dinner. No tea or coffee for breakfast

8.0 ExcellentAnonymous, May 2026
JFK - FRA
Read more Singapore Airlines reviews

Clean modern comfortable. Food could have been better, I only ate breakfast I wish they wouldn’t wake sleeping passengers who would rather sleep through dinner. No tea or coffee for breakfast

I had ordered vegetarian food. What I was presented was extremely dissatisfying and not up to the mark. I pretty much did not eat entire 19 hours. For.an airline voted as best in business, it was extremely disappointing. Seats were not comfortable to sleep. Entertainment system didn’t have much choice. WiFi didn’t work for more than half the time. Cabin crew were also difficult to understand. A bit of diversity like Emirates crew would go a long way.

It was okay. I feel that Singapore Airlines isn't as good as it used to be but it's still not bad

Crew is excellent Wifi needs to be improved in order to connect to the internet.

I felt that the whole experience went very smoothly. The aircraft was extremely clean and tidy on boarding. The cabin crew were beautifully turned out very, very efficient and were a credit to Singapore Airlines who are now my favourite carrier.

Overall were very good and I was satisfied w/ all the food and services.

Service was very good, food and entertainment systems were good

First time flying with Singapore airlines and I’ll give them two thumbs up 👍 👍

I find it was a bit hot before take off. If there is a way to improve the airflow it would be great

No frills airline with minimal leg room and no entertainment

Seat did not recline at all, wi-FI did not work at all. Those are both very unfortunate for a 14 hour flight. Crew and food was of course very nice as always.

I liked everything: the service, the food, the cleanness. I flew last year with Qatar Airways, so I can compare. Emirates did much better! Especially their meals and service.

The plane was old so the entertainment system was difficult to operate. The crew did advise earlier. The plane was landed and parked away from the gates, which added 20+ mins to the overall arrival

Premium economy was worth it-comfort was definitely better than economy class. The seats were more comfortable, blankets and pillows thicker

The journey was nice, all the crews were very good and services are excellent

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

Wonderful Premium Economy experience. Felt as good as Business Class for food and entertainment. Comfortable sleeping too

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

This was my first time flying with Emirates. Overall, the experience was very good. I thought the seats in economy would have been a bit more comfortable, but, they seem to be on par with other airlines. The food was excellent and very satisfying. If you can afford it, I would definitely suggest upgrading to at lest premium economy seats for long haul flights.

Two crews were talking right in front of me without really paying attention to me, and I found that a bit rude of them. I would have preferred them to be more professional and quiet.

I had a very good experience from boarding to arrivals.

Boarded almost 48 hrs later after a scheduling change on my initial flight that was not communicated either by kayak of SAA.

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.

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 !

Loved the food and beverages available, spacious economy class, excellent entertainment

Very good overall. Highly recommend for all flying to Australia

Helpful staff when I felt unwell. Qantas need to have an audio/music channel so you can listen to various music/.artists

We had bulkhead seats in a A380 in the upper deck in seats 31 D and E. Storage was very limited other than in overhead bin - which is not within reach when in seat. Yet paying same price as others in premium economy who have a lot more storage within arm’s reach. Seems very unfair.

Good check in and helpful staff. Delayed for 1 hour. Took about 45 Mins to get baggage’s at DFW . Food was average ( Hindu meal ) . Overall it was good experience

My experience was great overall. Tanya was particularly friendly and helpful the entire trip. I was very pleased with her customer service skills. The plane was an older aircraft but the entire way was comfortable with barely any turbulence at all. Qantas should speed up its fleet renovation. Totally recommend using this airline.

When I originally booked this flight, I was expecting to travel on Qantas. When the itinerary changed and the long-haul segment was operated by American Airlines, we were disappointed but remained open-minded. Unfortunately, the overall service experience fell far short of expectations. This was a long-haul international flight. Getting up periodically to use the restroom or stretch is inevitable, especially on flights of this duration. However, each time we stood up, we felt as though we were inconveniencing the crew. The tone and body language often suggested that we were in the way or disrupting something simply by moving about the cabin. As a result, I avoided getting up as often as I needed to and was physically very sore upon arrival. Meal service was similarly impersonal. The options were presented in single words “beef or veggie,” “pasta or beef” without any description of what was actually being served. There was little engagement or courtesy beyond that. Even simple expressions of gratitude were often not acknowledged. I am accustomed to no-frills travel and do not expect luxury. What was disappointing was not the absence of extras, but the absence of basic warmth and professionalism. On a long-haul international flight, small moments of courtesy and humanity make a significant difference. In this case, the experience felt transactional and dismissive rather than welcoming. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as there is a meaningful difference between efficient service and indifferent service.

Qantas is always subpar beyond comfy chairs for a domestic flight

Flight canceled by JetBlue for no reason. No good alternatives provided.

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

This flight was a very good trip for us. The crew were very friendly and helpful. They made arrangements for my husband to have assistance in boarding. We were not expecting a meal, so it was a pleasant surprise on this short flight to have a meal and beverage from a very courteous crew.

The seat cushions are absolutely lacking, not sure if they know the passengers are traveling for 14 hours straight, but the padding made our back and butt ache like crazy. The entertainment console had its own problems, either the headphone jack wasn't working or the power outlet via usb or ac outlet was not working. Not to mention the seat handles were not adjustable in some planes in the middle or on the aisle. Qatar/Indigo may be operating a very old fleet of planes to make as much profit as possible, but passengers may not be following them for long, should this treatment of its customers continue. Qatar/Indigo, wake up and do it right by your customers, or they may not be your customers anymore.

The seat cushions are absolutely lacking, not sure if they know the passengers are traveling for 14 hours straight, but the padding made our back and butt ache like crazy. The entertainment console had its own problems, either the headphone jack wasn't working or the power outlet via usb or ac outlet was not working. Not to mention the seat handles were not adjustable in some planes in the middle or on the aisle. Qatar may be operating a very old fleet of planes to make as much profit as possible, but passengers may not be following them for long, should this treatment of its customers continue. Qatar, wake up and do it right by your customers, or they may not be your customers anymore.

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.

Excellent service. The personal adaptation of menus and the individual timing of service of them is fantastic.

Paid $10 for wifi for full flight duration and the wifi wasn’t available after initial 2 hours

Awesome hospitality, awesome staff, awesome food & awesome travel time. Thanks

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.