Travel from the USA to South Africa

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Flag of South Africa flying against blue sky

Flights to South Africa from the USA

Wondering how to travel from the USA to South Africa? We’re here to help you find the best flight to suit your needs.

We'll cover your options for reaching Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban, including direct flights and those with layovers.

To help you plan your visit to South Africa, here's some information you might find useful:

Visa requirements: US citizens can visit South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or business. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least 30 days after your trip and has two empty pages.

Currency: South Africa's currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). We advise exchanging some US dollars for Rand before your trip or withdraw cash from an ATM upon arrival. Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist areas.

Safety: Exercise caution in South Africa. Crime rates are higher than in the US. Avoid walking alone, especially in unfamiliar areas. Don't display valuables openly. Use reputable transportation services. Read our guide on safety in South Africa for more detailed advice.

Cape Town with Table Mountain in the background

Flights to Cape Town

You've got three main options for direct flights to Cape Town from the US. First up, you can fly with United Airlines from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Their Boeing 777-200 jets offer comfortable journeys and they fly this route every other day. The trip takes about fourteen hours.

United also operates direct flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Cape Town. This is another fourteen-hour flight on the same aircraft type, with departures every other day. You can choose between United Polaris business class or United Economy.

Finally, Delta Air Lines offers flights to Cape Town from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). We're big fans of Delta's service, and their flights to South Africa are no exception. You'll be jetting off on their state-of-the-art Airbus A350.

Ultimately, all three airlines offer reliable, direct flights to Cape Town, so you can’t go wrong.

Flights to Johannesburg

If you’re looking for flights to Johannesburg from the US, you've got two great choices.

United Airlines offers direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It's a daily service, onboard their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This plane is a real step up from their 777-200 used on Cape Town flights. It's quieter, more spacious, and generally a much more pleasant way to spend fourteen hours.

Your other option is Delta, flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Delta operates this route with the Airbus A350-900, another fantastic aircraft known for its quiet cabins and comfortable seating. This daily flight takes around fifteen hours. If you’re connecting from another US city, Atlanta is a great option as it offers a vast network of domestic flights. Hands down, it’s one of the best starting points if you’re looking to travel from the USA to South Africa.

If you're a frequent flyer, your loyalty program might sway your decision. United's MileagePlus and Delta's SkyMiles both offer a range of perks, from priority boarding and baggage handling to lounge access and flight upgrades. If you're already racking up frequent flyer points with one or the other, it might make sense to stick with them.

Flights to Durban

Unfortunately, there aren't any direct flights from the US to Durban. But don't worry, getting there isn't complicated. Your best bet is to combine two flights: one to Johannesburg and then a domestic hop to Durban.

We recommend starting your journey with either United Airlines from Newark or Delta Airlines from Atlanta, as we've outlined in our Johannesburg guide.

Once you land in Johannesburg, you'll need to catch a domestic flight to Durban. This extra leg of the journey will add around five hours to your travel time, bringing the total trip to approximately nineteen hours.

For your domestic South African flight, we suggest South African Airways. They're the national carrier and offer a reliable service.

Book Flights to South Africa from the US

At Alternative Airlines, travelling from the USA to South Africa couldn’t be easier. You can pay in over 160+ currencies, including the South African Rand and the US Dollar, with a choice of over 600+ airlines worldwide.

Rather than paying for your flights upfront, you can use Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solutions to help you split the cost of your flights into more manageable instalments.

If you’re a South African resident, you can now take advantage of PayJustNow when booking flights through Alternative Airlines. This Buy Now, Pay Later service lets you split your payments into 3 equal parts. You won’t be charged interest, providing payments are made on time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you fly direct from the USA to South Africa?

Yes, there are direct flights from the US to both Cape Town and Johannesburg. Airlines offering these routes include United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Do US citizens need a yellow fever vaccine for South Africa?

US citizens do not need a yellow fever vaccine for South Africa. However, if you're coming from or have a layover in a country with yellow fever risk, you will need a vaccination certificate to enter South Africa. We recommend reading our guide on vaccines needed to travel to South Africa for more detailed information.

What is the cheapest month to fly to South Africa?

October and April tend to be the cheapest months to fly to South Africa because they fall outside of the peak tourist season. The summer months, from November to February, are the most popular time to visit due to warmer weather and school holidays. This increased demand drives up flight prices.

Do US citizens need a visa to enter South Africa?

US citizens do not need a visa to enter South Africa for stays of 90 days or less for tourism or business purposes. However, you will need a valid passport with at least two blank pages.