Travelling from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS): What you need to know
Start planning your trip by checking out the most convenient place to catch your flight from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS). Explore your options for leaving from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) or Lanseria International Airport (HLA), the city's main airports.
1 hour 30 minutes is the average duration of a direct Johannesburg to East London Airport flight.
Johannesburg and East London (where East London Airport is located) share the UTC+2 timezone. That means you won't need to change your watch on arrival.
The busiest route is from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to East London Airport (ELS), with 45 direct services every week. If you're eager to be on your way, the earliest flight from JNB to ELS is the 7:20am Safair option. If a later start suits your schedule, the last departure is at 6:05pm with Airlink (South Africa).
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your flight from Johannesburg to ELS.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months like April and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
Airports in Johannesburg
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS) can be booked from this terminal.
At JNB, there's a variety of carriers offering direct flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport, including:
FlySafair is the most frequently chosen airline for flights from JNB to ELS.
Among carriers on this route, Airlink is the most consistent for on-time landings.
Located around 26 kilometres from central Johannesburg, JNB can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport is roughly 35 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Johannesburg to East London Airport or prefer not to rush, these hotels are just what you're after:
Of the flights that depart from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport, 75% arrive on time at their destination.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Planning to catch a flight from Lanseria International Airport (HLA)? Direct Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS) plane tickets can be booked from here.
From HLA, direct flights from Johannesburg to ELS are offered by Safair.
FlySafair is the go-to airline for bookings on the HLA to ELS route.
You can arrive at HLA from the centre of Johannesburg in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Got an early start? You might like to check in to one of these accommodation options near Lanseria International Airport the day before your Johannesburg to ELS flight:
About East London Airport (ELS)
Have a late flight from Johannesburg to East London Airport? Don't let it leave you bleary-eyed. Check in to one of these hotels near ELS and fast-forward to bedtime:
To get the best deal, reserve your ride around three weeks in advance of your Johannesburg to East London Airport flight.
Getting from East London Airport (ELS) to central East London
East London Airport is around 5 kilometres from central East London. How long it takes to get to the centre in a taxi or car hire depends on the time of day. Do some research before your trip.
Travelling by public transport takes about 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS)
Currently, R 660 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to East London Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 1,576. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Snap up cheap flights from Johannesburg to ELS by booking one month ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the best month for landing cheap Johannesburg to East London Airport tickets. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from Johannesburg to ELS is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a lower fare pops up.
Nail down a great price on a flight from Johannesburg to East London Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
The best time to fly from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS)
July is the busiest month for flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS). Plan your visit to East London in December if you prefer a quieter experience.
When booking your Johannesburg to ELS plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. February is the warmest month in East London, with temperatures ranging from 18ºC (64ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from Johannesburg to East London Airport in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 11ºC (52ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF).
More about East London
After booking your flight from Johannesburg to East London Airport, find a hotel that puts you in a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring East London:
Orient Beach and Nahoon Reef are just two of the top-rated attractions to put on your East London must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Eastern Beach.
Explore more of South Africa
East London is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of South Africa just waiting to be explored. Around 225 kilometres southwest of East London, a trip to Port Elizabeth will keep you on the move. Start with leading sights like Mount Kilimanjaro, King's Beach and Brighton Beach.
Uitenhage is another favourite destination in South Africa and is around 241 kilometres west of East London. No journey is complete without visiting Volkswagen Factory and Museum, Volkswagen AutoPavillion, South Africa and Drostdy museum.
