Getting to South Africa
These days getting to South Africa is pretty simple when one considers the vast quantity of international daily flights and direct connections to Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
There are an outstanding number of world-class airlines flying daily into South Africa’s international airports from all the corners of the globe.
Our World Class International Airports include:
• O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) (formely Johannesburg International Airport)
• Cape Town International Airport (CIA)
• Durban International Airport (DIA)
Through the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA), passenger-handling facilities are continually being upgraded, offering excellent facilities for the business traveller. There superb restaurants, bars, shopping areas, rest facilities and a number of VIP services at these airports.
Arrival tips:
There are just a few basics to bear in mind, as you land in South Africa.
• Information Kiosks/Help Desks: These can be found in International Arrivals, International Departures as well at in the Domestic Arrivals sections of the airport in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban
• Choosing a Porter: Ensure that you use only approved airport porters – they will be wearing the approved bright orange uniforms and will carry ACSA permits. The porters will gladly assist you with your luggage. These porters work exclusively for tips and a guideline tip to give your porter is R5 (South African Rand). Do not leave your luggage unattended at any time.
• Choosing a taxi: The Airports Company has approved taxi and shuttle service operators that cover all major areas. It is a good idea to make use of the ACSA approved transport operators – they will be displaying the ACSA permit and logo. If you are still unsure then contact the ACSA helpdesk for further assistance.
Please visit the Airports Company South Africa website www.acsa.co.za for further information and details on getting in and around our airports.
From Europe
A large number of the flights on offer from Europe to South Africa are night flights – which ups the convenience factor considerably. Night flights mean that you awake in Johannesburg or Cape Town rested and ready to take in the sights and sounds of your new destination.
Many European destinations offer daily flights between Johannesburg, Cape Town and their European capitals and some offer two flights per day (and sometimes even three flights per day).
Generally, it takes one between eight and ten hours to get to South Africa.
From Africa
A wide range of African airlines fly in and out of South Africa on a regular basis.
From Australia
There is a code-share agreement between SAA and Qantas to service flights from Perth and Sydney to Johannesburg. SAA flies from Perth to Johannesburg from Wednesday to Sunday and from Sydney everyday except for Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Flying time from Sydney to Johannesburg is 16 hours and Perth to Johannesburg in 13 hours and 45 minutes.
From Brazil
South African Airways code-share with Varig Brazilian Airlines and have flights from Sao Paolo to Johannesburg every day. The regular departure times are in the early evening which means one arrives in Johannesburg the next day at around 7am. It takes eight and a half hours from Guaralhos International Airport in Sao Paulo to Johannesburg International Airport.
From China
China is serviced by both Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines with their hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore respectively.
The Cathay Pacific flight departs Beijing at lunchtime and arrives in Hong Kong in the early evening before one takes the connection to Johannesburg at around midnight.
Singapore Airlines flies from Beijing, Shanghai, Narita every day as this airline services the major routes in the Far East. The flights from Singapore to Johannesburg depart at 2am and arrive in Johannesburg on the same day at 7am. The flight duration from Singapore is just 10 hours.
From India
SAA flies directly from Mumbai to Johannesburg four times a week. Your flight departs Mumbai in the early hours of the morning, arriving before eight in Johannesburg on the same day. The flight from Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport to Johannesburg International Airport takes roughly nine hours.
From Japan & Korea
In order to fly from Tokyo (Narita) to Johannesburg with Cathay Pacific - one needs to fly via Hong Kong. There are numerous stopovers en route from Narita to Hong Kong. A general example: your flight departs Tokyo (Narita) at 10h00 and arrives in Hong Kong at 13h25 with a number of stopovers along the way. One then spends a good few hours at Hong Kong Airport before departing on Cathay Pacific close to midnight and arriving in Johannesburg around 7am.
From Tokyo to Hong Kong it is 3 hours. From Hong Kong to South Africa it is 13 hours.
Cathay Pacific departs mid afternoon from Seoul, Korea, and arrives in Hong Kong at around 6pm. From then it’s a wait for the midnight flight to Johannesburg.
From the United States of America
There are daily flights to Johannesburg from both Washington and New York on South African Airways. The New York flight departs at around six in the evening and arrives at Johannesburg roughly the same time the following day. The same goes for Washington, with departures at midday – arriving in Johannesburg at noon.
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