Flights to South Africa
Offering iconic road trips, epic wildlife experiences and some of the world’s finest wine regions, South Africa is a destination for big adventures. Plan your itinerary well and you’ll be able to play safari bingo and check off the Big Five in one of the world’s best-known national parks, sip Chardonnay in Stellenbosch’s vineyards, gaze down at Cape Town from the flat-topped Table Mountain and discover to the country’s other great cities, Johannesburg and Durban – all in one trip.
Our cheapest flights to CPT from your city
Based on a 7 night return journey.
Cheapest
Cheapest
Cheapest
Cheapest
Cheapest
Cheapest
Discover Africa's Rainbow Nation
Fly to South Africa with British Airways and begin your adventure in either Cape Town or Johannesburg.
Touch down in Cape Town to explore sites including Robben Island and the nearby winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, before beginning a journey along the magical Garden Route. The 300km road trip stretches from the Western Cape along the country’s south-eastern coast, serving up majestic views of the Indian Ocean.
Stop off in the charming town of Hermanus, South Africa’s whale-watching capital. Or fly direct to “Jo’burg”, the country’s largest city, where you’ll be on the doorstep of Kruger National Park. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers, and home to 150 mammal species, it’s the ultimate safari destination. Book your holiday to South Africa today.
Flight time
11 hrs
Time zone
GMT+2
Currency
South African Rand
Our best flight and holiday deals to South Africa
South Africa flight FAQs
A flight from London to Cape Town takes just under 12 hours. Flying to Johannesburg takes approximately 11 hours.
British Airways flies direct to both Cape Town and Johannesburg from London Heathrow.
There are great deals on flights to South Africa year-round with British Airways. If you’re planning to travel during the country’s peak season, which runs between November and March, it’s worth remembering that the price of accommodation might be higher. For those on a budget, consider a visit during the South African winter from June to August.
It’s possible to tailor your trip to South Africa to suit any budget. Renowned for its excellent tourist infrastructure and huge variety of accommodation, there are plenty of affordable options too. A safari may set you back a bit, but you can always choose to reduce the cost by swapping luxury accommodation in a private game lodge for a self-drive camping experience.
That depends on your itinerary. Peak whale-watching season is in the spring, between October and November, when southern right whales arrive from Antarctica to breed. Autumn, between March and May, and winter, running between June and August, are great times to visit Kruger National Park, when the weather is cooler and leaves have fallen, making it easier to spot the wildlife.
Despite the large distances, it’s easy to travel around South Africa. The comprehensive network of internal flights means it’s entirely possible to embark on a multi-city trip, even during a short visit.
The MyCiTi bus network is a good option for travelling around Cape Town and covers the city centre and most districts and suburbs.
The Gautrain is the most efficient way to reach Johannesburg city centre from the airport. Once there, the Rea Vaya bus system is a reliable way to get around.
You can also hire a car with British Airways if you want to see more of what South Africa has to offer. You’ll receive great benefits, with all mandatory charges included and 24-hour customer support, plus you’ll collect Avios points on every rental.
You can book a hand baggage-only ticket or make the most of our generous baggage allowance. If you choose economy standard or one of our British Airways Holidays’ packages, each passenger can check in a bag weighing up to 23kg – in addition to a handbag, laptop case or other small bag. Families travelling in any cabin with younger children can also check in one car seat and one fully collapsible pushchair. Read more about baggage allowances for children.
If you’re flying in our business cabin, you can check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each. Read our baggage guide for full details.
British passport holders don’t need a visa for travel to South Africa, as long as you’re visiting for 90 days or less. You can find out more information at the IATA Travel Centre.
Discover outstanding service from the moment you book. Fly with just hand baggage and you can carry two bags free of charge. Choose our checked baggage option and you can travel with hand baggage and a 23kg bag checked into the hold, plus enjoy free seat selection 24 hours before you fly.
On board you’ll find HEPA-filtered air, quality on-board catering, and a warm, uniquely British welcome. Simply relax and let us take care of you, every step of the way.
South Africa highlights
Cape Town
- Catch a cable car to the top of Table Mountain and take in the panoramic views of Cape Town.
- Roll out your towel on one of the city’s seven Blue Flag beaches.
- Take the ferry to Robben Island Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Johannesburg
- Take a guided tour of Soweto to learn about the city’s remarkable history.
- Visit the Cradle of Mankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring fossils dating back millions of years.
- Browse the bustling Kwa Mai-Mai market with its traditional healing treatments and indigenous arts, crafts and souvenirs.
Our cabins
All our cabins offer an excellent – and uniquely British – experience. Choose your perfect way to fly, from economy to First.
Economy
Our World Traveller cabin offers all the touches you need to enjoy your flight at an affordable price.
Premium economy
Discover our World Traveller Plus cabin and treat yourself to a wider seat and more legroom in a separate, quieter cabin.
Business
Work or relax in our Club World cabin and enjoy lounge access, a dedicated check-in area and fully flat beds for a restful sleep.
First
Choose First to enjoy a range of comforts, from fine dining to your own private suite and access to our elegant departure lounges.
Other countries we fly to
- Algeria flights
- Egypt flights
- Ghana flights
- Kenya flights
- Morocco flights
- Nigeria flights
- South Africa flights
Discover more of Africa...
Abuja flights
Agadir flights
Algiers flights
Cape Town flights
Egypt flights
Ghana flights
Johannesburg flights
Kenya flights
Lagos flights
Morocco flights
Marrakech flights
Nigeria flights
Terms and Conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
- Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
- Each–way fares displayed are the lowest adult each-way prices in the cabin specified based on the lowest adult return prices for a 7 day travel period, including all taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- One-way fares displayed are the lowest adult prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges available in this period.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in GBP per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
- Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
- Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
- Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Package holidays are protected under British Airways Holidays Ltd by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 5985.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply