Flying from Johannesburg to London: what you need to know
Planning your trip begins with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Johannesburg. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the city's main airport, so explore your options for reserving a flight from Johannesburg to London jetting off from here.
London has a number of airports you can fly into. Come in for landing at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). Alternatively, arrive at London Luton Airport (LTN) or London City Airport (LCY).
Around 11 hours 15 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Johannesburg to London flight.
London's timezone is UTC+0, making London two hours behind Johannesburg.
The busiest route for flights from Johannesburg to London is from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). You can select from 21 services every week between these two airports. If you want to maximise your time on arrival, the earliest flight from JNB to LHR is the 18:35 Virgin Atlantic service. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 22:05 with British Airways.
Allow plenty of time to get on your Johannesburg to London flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to London
R 4,225 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to London. A return flight starts from R 8,470. These fares can change based on availability.
Book one month before you want to fly. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Johannesburg to London flights.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the best month for landing an awesome deal on plane tickets from Johannesburg to London. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
You don't need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll tell you when there's a better deal on cheap flights from Johannesburg to London.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' Johannesburg to London flights.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Johannesburg to London, you can leave from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Travel from JNB to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) without any stops.
British Airways is a popular airline that offers direct Johannesburg to London plane tickets leaving from JNB.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Johannesburg to London flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Located around 23 kilometres from the centre of Johannesburg, JNB can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Have an early flight from Johannesburg to London? Avoid rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to O.R. Tambo International Airport:
When it comes to O.R. Tambo International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 77.1% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London takes about 55 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 23 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour to get there on public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel near LHR if you have a late flight from Johannesburg to London. Choose one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Follow your own route with a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and experience more of London and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by booking your ride from London Heathrow Airport around one week before your departure date.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is roughly 40 kilometres from central London. Once you've hopped off your flight from Johannesburg to London, it'll take you approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
The trip will take about 30 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near LGW. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Johannesburg to London:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a London Gatwick Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Green Motion, U-Save or Drivalia and be on your way in a flash.
Get the pick of the lot. Booking your ride from LGW three weeks in advance often means better deals and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Set off for the city centre after your flight from Johannesburg to London has arrived. Central London is about 48 kilometres from Stansted Airport (STN) and takes roughly 1 hour to reach by car.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 25 minutes on public transport.
If you don't want to make the trip to the centre, choose a hotel close to STN. Make yourself comfortable at one of these stays after your Johannesburg to London flight:
Whether you want a zippy mini just for you or a roomy SUV to fit a group of friends, you'll find the perfect Stansted Airport rental car for your needs. Browse wheels available from suppliers such as Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
Around four weeks ahead of your flight from Johannesburg to London is a good time to book your ride from STN. You're more likely to lock in a better rate or score some early bird savings.
Best time to go to London
July is the most popular month for flights from Johannesburg to London. To steer clear of the crowds, go to London in February.
The warmest month in London is July, with temperatures ranging between 11ºC (52ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Lock in your Johannesburg to London ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Johannesburg to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF).
More about London
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in London right here. Check out these options after you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to London:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are must-do's during your London adventure.
Explore more of United Kingdom
London will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of United Kingdom waiting to be explored. About 161 kilometres north-west of London, a visit to Birmingham will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with attractions like Cadbury World, The Library of Birmingham and National Sea Life Centre.
Around 177 kilometres west of London, Bristol is another essential stop in United Kingdom. No visit is complete without checking out Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill Nature Park.