Flights to Johannesburg
The City of Johannesburg, in South Africa's Gauteng province, is where business trips to Sandton, visits to Soweto and many Kruger safaris begin. Our team finds flights to Johannesburg from the UK for travellers anywhere in Britain, quoting airfares in pound sterling (GBP) and comparing cabins, baggage and fare availability so the deal matches your dates, budget and any last-minute plans.
JNB airportJohannesburg, South Africa
Heathrow non-stop, regional one-stops
Is There a Non-Stop Flight from the UK to Johannesburg?
Yes, from London Heathrow (LHR) only. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly non-stop to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) overnight, landing the next morning. No other airport in the United Kingdom has a direct service, so other flights to Johannesburg from the UK connect once, in mainland Europe, the Gulf or Africa, or via Heathrow.
Picking a Heathrow non-stop
Virgin Atlantic sells Economy, Premium and Upper Class from Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3, while British Airways offers economy class, premium economy and business class. Times, lounges and fare rules differ, so compare both for your dates.
Scotland, the regions and the Heathrow link
One-stop fares from Bristol (BRS), Newcastle upon Tyne (NCL), Glasgow (GLA), Edinburgh (EDI), Birmingham (BHX) and Manchester (MAN) change in mainland Europe or the Gulf with KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, SWISS, Turkish Airlines, Emirates or Qatar Airways, depending on the airport. British Airways also flies into Heathrow from Aberdeen, Belfast City (BHD), Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow, so one booking covers both flights and bags. Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN) and London City (LCY) have connecting flights only.
Fares, seasons and Highveld weather
Fares climb from mid-December to early January, at Easter and over the UK summer school holidays, so set flight price alerts, use a price calendar with flexible dates and compare return and one-way tickets. Johannesburg sits approx. 1,700 m up, with summer highs near 26°C from December to February and afternoon storms from October to March; winters are dry and sunny at approx. 18°C, with cold nights.
The difference between JNB and HLA
Flights from the UK use O.R. Tambo, at Kempton Park, approx. 20 km north-east of Johannesburg city centre; Lanseria International Airport (HLA), on the north-western edge, mainly handles domestic flights. Searches using the code JNBA, meaning Johannesburg (all airports), can mix the two. UK government advice warns that criminals have followed travellers from O.R. Tambo, so be met by your hotel or tour operator, or take the Gautrain.
Same-day links to Kruger and the coast
Airlink flies from O.R. Tambo to Skukuza in Kruger National Park, and FlySafair, South African Airways and LIFT serve Cape Town and Durban. Morning arrivals often allow a same-day connection after customs and a bag re-check; book both flights together.
Phone our team on 020 7871 4545 for Johannesburg flight deals on British Airways, Virgin Atlantic or a one-stop airline, return or one-way.
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Explore the city
Things to do in Johannesburg
Discover Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum
At Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum in Ormonde, exhibitions trace racial segregation, resistance and South Africa’s democratic transition through photographs, testimony and historical objects.
Remember the Hector Pieterson Memorial
The Hector Pieterson Memorial in Orlando West, Soweto, honours students involved in the 1976 uprising and preserves a vital chapter of Johannesburg’s history.
Explore Johannesburg’s Maboneng Precinct
Maboneng’s former industrial streets bring together artist studios, galleries and independent cafés, expressing Johannesburg’s contemporary creative culture east of the city centre.
Admire the Johannesburg Art Gallery
Johannesburg Art Gallery beside Joubert Park is recognised for its historical architecture and substantial South African and international art collections, although access may change.
See Johannesburg’s Hillbrow Tower Skyline
Hillbrow Tower rises above Johannesburg’s inner-city skyline, a distinctive telecommunications landmark reflecting the city’s changing urban landscape and architectural identity over decades.
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Help & support
Frequently asked questions about flights to Johannesburg
Can I add a stopover on the way to Johannesburg?
Yes. With a multi-city booking, one-stop airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir and Kenya Airways can turn a layover into a few nights in their home city. Check UK government advice and entry rules for that country, and book the whole trip as one itinerary.
Do UK visitors need a visa for Johannesburg?
No. South Africa's entry requirements give British citizen passport holders a visa exemption for travel of 90 days or less, with passport validity of 30 days after you leave and two blank passport pages. Submit the South Africa traveller declaration online; for longer stays, ask the South African High Commission.
How big is the time difference with Johannesburg?
Small. South Africa keeps South African Standard Time (SAST), UTC+2, all year with no clock change, so Jo'burg is one time zone ahead of the UK in summer and two in winter. Paired with overnight flights, that usually means little jet lag.
Can I take a train from O.R. Tambo to Sandton or Pretoria?
Yes, the Gautrain. Its airport line goes to Sandton, near Nelson Mandela Square, where you change for Rosebank and Park Station; for Pretoria and Hatfield, change at Marlboro. Gates accept a Gautrain card or a contactless bank card, tapped in and out with the same card.
What baggage allowance do Johannesburg flights include?
That varies by flight fare. Virgin Atlantic's Economy Light and some one-stop fares are hand luggage only, while standard economy tickets usually include checked baggage. A connecting ticket checks bags through and gives a protected connection; a self-transfer on separate tickets does neither and may mean an airport change.
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FarheenUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
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I TeladiaUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
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Hiba MahmoodUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
Everything went smoothly, with helpful support and a package tailored to the trip.
FarheenUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
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I TeladiaUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
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