Travelling from Kigali International Airport (KGL) to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg and you'll be travelling for an average of 3 hours 50 minutes.
Johannesburg and Kigali (where Kigali International Airport is located) are both in the UTC+2 timezone. This means you won't have to change your watch when you arrive.
Kigali International Airport (KGL) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the most popular route, with ten departures a week to pick from. You can fly from KGL to JNB at 10:30 with RwandAir.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your KGL to Johannesburg flight.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so give yourself some extra wiggle room. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Begin your journey at KGL and fly straight to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). That's where you can expect to land when searching for Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg tickets.
Book your favourite seat with RwandAir. This popular airline offers direct flights from Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even tick a new city off your list. When browsing for flight tickets from KGL to Johannesburg, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN)
RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE)
KGL is about 8 kilometres from central Kigali. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 55 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near KGL:
Of the departures from Kigali International Airport, 71.6% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kigali International Airport (KGL) to Johannesburg
The best price we've found for a one-way Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg flight is R 3,940. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 6,281. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Get cheap flights from KGL to Johannesburg by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg tickets. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Locking in a cheap flight from KGL to Johannesburg is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as a new discount appears.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
The distance from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg is roughly 29 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes around 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near JNB:
Grab an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car and discover Johannesburg and beyond with your own wheels. Carwiz, Alamo and Green Motion are popular outlets you can book with here.
Booking your ride from O.R. Tambo International Airport around three weeks ahead of your flight from KGL to Johannesburg can help you lock in the lowest rate.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
The centre of Johannesburg is around 48 kilometres from Lanseria International Airport (HLA). After your flight from Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 50 minutes.
After stepping off your KGL to Johannesburg flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel near HLA. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Lanseria International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire or Firefly powered by Hertz and be on your way in a flash.
Snap up the best price by reserving your ride from HLA four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
Before locking in your flights from Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg, consider which time of year works best for you. Peak season in Johannesburg offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while low season means you'll get cheaper hotel rates and fewer crowds.
When booking your Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg flight ticket, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. January is the warmest month in Johannesburg, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC (59ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from KGL to Johannesburg in July if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC (39ºF) and 20ºC (68ºF) on average.
More about Johannesburg
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Johannesburg right here. Check out these options once you've locked in your flight from Kigali International Airport to Johannesburg:
Maboneng Precinct and Constitution Hill are just the start of the top attractions to put on your Johannesburg must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Johannesburg Zoo.
Explore more of South Africa
Pietermaritzburg is just one of the many places in South Africa waiting to be explored after you've experienced Johannesburg. Around 451 kilometres away to the south-east, its top attractions include KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, Comrades Marathon House and The Old Prison.
Bloemfontein is another sought-after destination in South Africa and is around 370 kilometres south-west of Johannesburg. No journey is complete without visiting Naval Hill Planetarium, Bloemfontein Zoo and Anglo Boer War Museum.