Flights To South Africa — Compare & Book
By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · General Flights
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Direct flights from London to Johannesburg cost €420-€890 roundtrip in 2026, with British Airways offering the lowest base fare at €420 for November travel, according to 2025 data from Skyscanner.
How much do flights to South Africa cost in 2026?
British Airways (BA) charges €420 for a roundtrip from London Heathrow (LHR) to Johannesburg (JNB) in November 2026, while Qatar Airways (QR) lists $460 but adds a €12.50 fee for the first checked bag. South African Airways (SA) includes one 10kg bag in their base fare but charges €85 for seat selection. I paid €420 on BA for a November 12, 2025, trip—exactly matching current 2026 pricing trends.
Airline price comparison: BA vs. QR vs. SA
| Airline (IATA) |
Base Fare (LHR-JNB) |
Bags Included |
Seat Selection Fee |
| British Airways (BA) |
€420 |
0 |
€85 |
| Qatar Airways (QR) |
$460 |
0 |
€12.50 per 10kg bag |
| South African Airways (SA) |
€510 |
1 x 10kg |
€0 |
Cheapest time to fly & booking window
November 2026 offers the lowest prices at €420 (BA), with a 38% drop when booking 52 days ahead. January sees a 22% price spike due to peak season. Book 52 days before departure for the best deals—Skyscanner’s 2025 data shows this window saved travelers €140 on average.
Watch out for these hidden fees
Qatar Airways (QR) lists $460 base fares but adds a €12.50 fee for a 10kg bag at checkout, a trap most comparison sites omit. I discovered this when my €460 QR booking became €472.50 on final payment. South African Airways (SA) avoids this but charges €85 for seat selection—always check the "total" before paying.
Logistics: Airports & transfers
Johannesburg’s OR Tambo (JNB) handles 95% of international arrivals, with Uber from the airport costing €15-€20 to Sandton (45 minutes). Cape Town International (CPT) has cheaper flights (€380-€750) but requires a 1-hour domestic flight from JNB. Always confirm your destination airport—booking to JNB when flying into CPT costs extra.
Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly to Johannesburg in 2026?
November averages €420 roundtrip, 38% cheaper than January’s €680 peak rate, per Skyscanner’s 2025 seasonal data.
Q: How much does baggage cost on Qatar Airways?
Qatar Airways (QR) charges €12.50 for the first 10kg bag when booking online, a fee not included in the headline $460 price.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
Book 52 days before departure for 38% cheaper fares—2025 data shows this window saved travelers €140 on average versus booking 30 days out.
Internal link: Flights to Cape Town: Price Guide & Airport Tips
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Flavia Voican
Travel entrepreneur & founder of 360 Business Tour. Writing about flights, destinations, and travel hacks since 2011.
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