Whether you’re flying in from Europe or just visiting from Durban, everybody wants to find a cheap flight to Joburg.
Here are some tips that will help you save a few bucks:
If you’re booking a domestic flight, make sure to check out budget carries such as Mango & Kulula. SA Express, SA Airlink and South African Airways also offer great deals.
If using Mango, make sure to use their 1-month low rates feature — it’s pretty helpful if you are leaving that month.
If using Kulula, get a Kulula credit card — you can often save money or earn more miles based on how much you fly.
Also try to book your outbound and return flight separately if you are booking domestically, unless you can find a truly rock-bottom deal.
If you are coming internationally, the cheapest flights tend to be on carriers such as Etihad Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways. Though you should still look around at other options, you never know when a rate might drop.
Always ensure you are checking prices into Johannesburg Lanseria (HLA) as well as Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Lanseria is often a cheaper bet depending on where you’re coming from.
Other standard things to check are looking on holiday dates like December 25 or December 31, or the often feared Friday 13th (hint hint, there is one coming up in two days).
In general, the cheapest flights tend to go first (4-6 months in advance), but there is also a magic window about four weeks before the flight where airlines are trying to fill the remaining seat.
Good luck, and happy flying.
