Hmm - so Emirates flight 380 is actually operated by a B777 :(
All direct flights to South Africa from the UK & Ireland
| Flights to | Code | Flights from | Airline name | Find prices | Route to | Route from | Tooltip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | JNB | London Heathrow | BA (British Airways) |  | flights from London Heathrow to Johannesburg, South Africa | Flights to Johannesburg, South Africa from London Heathrow | Book directly with BA for the cheapest flight on the internet. |
| Johannesburg | JNB | London Heathrow | South African Airways | | flights from London Heathrow to Johannesburg, South Africa | Flights to Johannesburg, South Africa from London Heathrow | |
| Johannesburg | JNB | London Heathrow | Virgin Atlantic | | flights from London Heathrow to Johannesburg, South Africa | Flights to Johannesburg, South Africa from London Heathrow | |
| Cape Town | CPT | London Heathrow | BA (British Airways) | | flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town, South Africa | Flights to Cape Town, South Africa from London Heathrow | Book directly with BA for the cheapest flight on the internet. |
| Cape Town | CPT | London Heathrow | South African Airways | | flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town, South Africa | Flights to Cape Town, South Africa from London Heathrow |
Destination summary
The most accessible of the southern hemisphere travel hotspots, South Africa's popularity among Brits shows no sign of waning. With the vuvuzelas safely packed away after the 2010 World Cup, South Africa is set to become even more tourist friendly.
The majority of overseas visitors head straight for spectacular Cape Town, widely considered to be one of world's most 'liveable' cities. The nearby Stellenbosch region is a veritable paradise for wine lovers, and back in town the seafood is simply stellar.
South Africans take their love of sport to quasi-religious levels, and watching a live football, cricket or rugby match here is highly recommended. Surfing is also very popular - both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coast offer some of the best breaks going.
For those who like to take things at a more relaxed pace there is trekking in the dramatic Drakensberg Range, the wildlife of the Kruger National Park ' including lions, cheetahs, elephants and giraffes ' or the remarkable Sun City resort, one time setting of the Miss World contest.
With a population of over eight million, Johannesburg is South Africa's largest city, and also bears the brunt of the country's significant crime problem. Huge efforts are being made to tackle the issue, especially in areas popular with tourists. Most visits are hassle free, especially if sensible precautions are taken. A reputable guide is an absolute must if you plan to visit the fascinating but tense township of Soweto.
Flight summary
Although South Africa is one of the most popular destinations for long-haul flights from the UK, direct routings are almost exclusively limited to departures from London. Frequent flights to both Johannesburg and Cape Town are available from London Heathrow, with three major players fighting it out between them - British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and South African Airways.
The market for flights to South Africa is nothing like as competitive as it could be. This makes finding cheap flights to South Africa a thankless task, and it is not unusual to pay over £1000 return for flights to either Cape Town or Johannesburg during the Festive Period peak.
Although London still offers the best choice of South Africa flights, the country's strong Dutch colonial links ensure that there are regular South African flights from Amsterdam, which is easily accessible from most UK international airports.
Other European airports which offer frequent connecting flights to South Africa include Paris, Zurich, Milan and Madrid. Flight connections through other countries in Africa are a bit more sporadic, although taking flights with Kenya Airways via Nairobi can often produce some of the best fares. Another option is to take flights with Emirates via Dubai, although this will add at least another ten hours to your journey time.
Quick Facts
- Country Code: ZA
James Says
South Africa is a well-developed market for domestic flights, with frequent onward connections being available to cities such as Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein. There are also regular shuttle flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
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