Travel doesn't have to cost a fortune, it's getting easier to find cheap flights to just about anywhere in the world, especially if your dates are flexible and you are not on a time budget and happy to take a longer route. If you are looking to travel on a tight budget, some tips include:
- Avoid hubs where you might have to pay for a transit visa, such as London, and opt for countries which offer visa-free transit such as UAE and Turkey.
- Prices often differ between weekends and weekdays. You can also score a discount by flying at a less convenient time of day such as late evening or very early morning.
- Travelling on a public holiday (such as Christmas or New Year) is always more cost-effective than travelling on the days before the holiday.
- Learn to pack light, some budget airlines charge extra for luggage. Cross-continental flights usually have a 20kg limit for checked-in baggage that is included in your ticket price. Most local budget airlines charge extra for checked-in luggage.
- Research travel options for airport transfers and specifically for public transport options at your arrival destination as taxi transfers can be expensive. Double-check if these options will be available at the hour at which you will be arriving.
- To stay connected and avoid horrifying roaming charges, research options for local cellphone SIM cards for data and calls before you travel. Countries differ and sometimes (although not always) SIM cards sold at the airport are not always the most competitive.
BOOKING CHEAP FLIGHTS TO AND FROM JOHANNESBURG
All the latest deals and flight specials currently offered by major international airlines can be viewed on the website travelstart.co.za, where you can also find and book the latest deals from South Africa's major budget airlines.
DIRECT FLIGHT TIMES FROM JOHANNESBURG
Flight times from Johannesburg to cities in South Africa
Cape Town = 2hr 10min
Durban = 1hr 5min
Port Elizabeth = 1hr 45min
Skukuza (Kruger Park) = 55min
George (Garden Route) = 1hr 55min
Flight times from Johannesburg to destinations in southern Africa
Harare, Zimbabwe = 1hr 40mins
Victoria Falls (Livingstone, Zambia) = 1hr 40mins
Windhoek, Namibia = 2hrs
Gabarone, Botswana = 55mins
Maputo, Mozambique = 1hrs 5min
Vilankulos, Mozambique = 1hrs 40min
Port St Louis, Mauritius 3hrs 58min
Cross-continental flight times from Johannesburg
Dubai (Emirates, Fly Dubai) = 8hrs 5mins
Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) = 5hrs 20mins
Nairobi (Air Kenya) = 4hrs 5 mins
Doha (Qatar Airways) = 8hrs 55 mins
London (British Airways / Virgin Atlantic) = 11hrs 25mins
Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) = 9hrs 50mins
New York (South African Airways) = 16hrs
Abu Dhabi (Etihad) = 8hrs 5mins
Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific / South African Airways) = 12hrs 40mins
Sao Paulo (Latam / South African Airways) = 9hrs 45mins
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