Cheap Flights South Africa — Compare SA Cheapest Flights & Save

If you are looking for cheap flights South Africa travellers actually book, Travelwings is the simplest place to start. We compare 1,000+ airlines side-by-side, surface SA cheapest flights on the routes you care about, and price every fare in ZAR with no currency surprises at checkout. Whether you are flying Johannesburg to Cape Town for the weekend, taking the family from Durban to Mauritius, or planning a long-haul break to London, Dubai, or Bangkok, our flight search engine puts the cheapest flights in South Africa on a single screen so you can compare and book in minutes.

 

Why Compare Cheap Flights in South Africa with Travelwings?

South African flight prices have been moving up sharply since 2023, and finding genuinely cheap flights has become harder than ever — especially around school holidays, year-end, and Easter. Travelwings is built to do that comparison work for you, and to do it transparently.

• 1,000+ airlines compared in a single search: Including SAA, Airlink, FlySafair, Lift, CemAir, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines.
• ZAR pricing with multiple payment options: Including card, EFT, and Tabby "book now, pay later" on eligible routes.
• First-in-market Fare Lock: Hold a flight price for ZAR 50 while you finalise dates.
• Coupon code TWAIR: Get ZAR 100 off eligible bookings.
• Local customer support: Pretoria-based team on +27 (0) 12 006 0002.
• Trustpilot-verified reviews: Genuine South African customer feedback.
• Zero hidden booking fees: The price you see in ZAR is the price you pay.

 

Cheap Domestic Flights from South Africa

South Africa's domestic market is one of the busiest in Africa, with the Johannesburg-to-Cape Town route alone running more than 100 weekly flights. That competition is good news for travellers hunting SA cheapest flights.

 

Cheapest Domestic Routes

• Johannesburg to Cape Town: The most-flown domestic route with the deepest cheap-flight inventory.
• Johannesburg to Durban: High-frequency and very competitive on Tuesday and Wednesday departures.
• Cape Town to Durban: Limited capacity, so book ahead for the best fares.
• Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) & East London: Well-served by Airlink and CemAir.
• Cape Town to Port Elizabeth & George: Popular Garden Route corridor.
• Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Mthatha: Mainly served by Airlink.

For genuinely cheap flights in South Africa on these domestic legs, target Tuesday and Wednesday departures, avoid the Friday-evening business window, and book at least 14 days ahead.

 

Cheap International Flights from South Africa

International flying out of OR Tambo, Cape Town, and King Shaka airports has been transformed by the return of Gulf, European, and African full-service carriers in recent years.

 

Where South Africans Are Flying Cheap

• Johannesburg to Dubai: Emirates, FlyDubai, Air Arabia, and Qatar Airways via Doha.
• Johannesburg to London: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways one-stop.
• Johannesburg to Mauritius: Air Mauritius, SAA, and Airlink.
• Cape Town to London: Direct British Airways and Virgin services in high season.
• Johannesburg to Bangkok & Phuket: Via Doha, Dubai, or Singapore.
• Johannesburg to Mumbai & Delhi: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Saudia connections.
• Johannesburg to Istanbul: Turkish Airlines direct, often cheapest route to Europe.
• Johannesburg to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Lagos: Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.

 

How to Find SA Cheapest Flights

• Be flexible on dates: Use the price calendar to view cheapest days across 30 days.
• Avoid school holidays & long weekends: Prices often double during these windows.
• Book ahead: Domestic 14 days ahead, international 6-8 weeks ahead.
• Choose Tuesday or Wednesday departures: Usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
• Sign up for fare alerts: Get exclusive flash sales early.
• Use Fare Lock: Hold a fare for ZAR 50.
• Apply coupon code TWAIR: Save ZAR 100 on eligible bookings.
• Compare nearby airports: Lanseria or King Shaka may be cheaper than OR Tambo.

 

Best Time to Book Cheap Flights South Africa

• Cheapest months for international travel: February, May, June (excluding school break), and November.
• Most expensive months: December, late March, late June through July, and early October.
• Cheapest international booking window: 6-10 weeks before departure.
• Cheapest domestic booking window: 2-3 weeks before departure.
• Same-day cheap fares: Sometimes available on Lift and FlySafair for JNB-CPT.

 

Why South African Travellers Trust Travelwings

Travelwings has been operating in the global travel market for more than 25 years and has serviced more than one million travellers across 32+ countries.

• Local accreditation: Registered South African presence.
• ZAR-denominated pricing: Local payment methods supported.
• 24/7 customer service: Dedicated post-booking support team.
• Extra travel services: Cruise, holiday, and visa support.
• Active social media support: Facebook, Instagram, and X.
• Verified Trustpilot reviews: Including critical reviews.

 

More Than Just Cheap Flights — Holidays, Hotels, Cruises & More

• Holiday packages: Flight + hotel deals to Mauritius, Bali, Dubai, Phuket, Zanzibar, and more.
• Cruises: Cape Town round-trips and long-haul voyages.
• Hotels: Competitive ZAR pricing worldwide.
• Car rental: Global partner inventory.
• Visa support: UK, Schengen, US, and UAE guidance.
• eSIM: International data plans without roaming surprises.

 

Ready to Book Cheap Flights from South Africa?

Whether your hunt is for cheap flights South Africa domestic shuttle to a quick break to Mauritius, or a long-haul deal to London, Dubai, or Bangkok, Travelwings makes the comparison easier and the booking faster.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How do I find the cheapest flights in South Africa?

Use the Travelwings search panel above to compare 1,000+ airlines. Tuesday and Wednesday departures, mid-month travel, and advance bookings usually offer the best fares.

• Which airlines offer the cheapest domestic flights from South Africa?

FlySafair and Lift typically offer the cheapest base fares on major domestic routes, while Airlink and CemAir cover regional airports.

• What is the cheapest day of the week to fly within South Africa?

Tuesday and Wednesday departures are generally cheapest, while Friday evening and Sunday afternoon are usually most expensive.

• How early should I book cheap international flights from South Africa?

Book 6-10 weeks ahead for best fares. For December or school holiday travel, book 3-4 months in advance.

• Can I find cheap last-minute flights from South Africa?

Sometimes. Lift and FlySafair occasionally discount same-day fares on busy domestic routes.

• How does Fare Lock work on Travelwings South Africa?

Fare Lock allows you to hold a selected fare for ZAR 50 while finalising your plans.

• Are cheap flights South Africa offers from Travelwings genuine?

Yes. Prices are based on live airline or GDS fares with no hidden booking fees.

• Can I cancel or change a cheap flight booked through Travelwings?

Yes, subject to airline fare rules. Fees may apply depending on fare type.

• Do you have a coupon code for cheap flights from South Africa?

Yes. Use coupon code TWAIR for ZAR 100 off eligible bookings.

• Which is the cheapest international destination to fly to from South Africa?

Mauritius, Mozambique, and Zambia are often among the cheapest options, especially during shoulder season.