Book Domestic Flights in South Africa

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Domestic Flights in South Africa

While South Africa has a rail network, it doesn’t connect every city or region efficiently. Domestic flights make it much easier to travel between major hubs like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, and they’re the most practical option for reaching places such as Port Elizabeth, George, or Nelspruit. South Africa is home to 20 commercial airports spread across the country, making it extremely easy to travel domestically within the country.

Keep reading to discover which airlines operate domestic routes in South Africa and which airports offer the best connections. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend escape, visiting loved ones, or linking together multiple cities, flying across South Africa is a fast and convenient choice and often more affordable than you might think. With a strong mix of full-service and low-cost carriers, there’s almost always a flight that fits both your budget and your schedule.

Alternatively, you can fill out our search form at the top of the page to find domestic flights in South Africa that suit your travel plans.

Insights on domestic flights in South Africa

Domestic flights play a vital role in South Africa’s transport network, especially for covering the country’s long distances quickly and efficiently. Here are some key insights:

Johannesburg to Cape Town is one of the busiest air routes in the world, with hundreds of flights each week.
Most domestic flights take between 1–2 hours, making them a convenient alternative to long drives.
Popular destinations include Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), and George.
Major carriers such as South African Airways, Airlink, FlySafair, and CemAir operate the bulk of domestic services.
Demand rises sharply during school holidays, festive seasons, and summer, particularly for coastal and holiday destinations.

With frequent flights, short travel times, and competitive fares across multiple airlines, domestic air travel remains one of the most efficient and affordable ways to explore South Africa.

Why Choose Domestic Flights in South Africa?

Save time 🕑

When time is tight, domestic flights between South African cities are your lifesaver. Avoid lengthy car journeys and, instead, book short domestic South African flights that take up to 2 hours between each town! Many South African airlines operate flights between major cities like Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London in a short amount of time, giving you more time to spare on your trip.

Explore remote destinations 🏝️

South Africa's 20 commercial airports are strategically placed in the country. It's an extensive network that allows you to reach some of South Africa's most remote and popular destinations that would otherwise require challenging road journeys. For example, if you're going on a South African safari experience, a domestic flight can get you to a nearby airport in no time, bypassing long drives.

Travel in comfort 💺

Although South Africa is a relatively cheap destination to travel around, the tiresome car, bus and train journeys can be uncomfortable, especially if you're travelling during South Africa's summer (November to March). With domestic flights, you can unwind, enjoy in-flight entertainment or catch up on work during your journey. There will also be air-con and refreshments, depending on the airline you're flying with.

Domestic flights from Cape Town

Cape Town is a major hub for domestic travel in South Africa, offering direct routes to cities across the country. Whether you’re heading to the business capital, the coast, or the bush, flying from Cape Town makes it simple.

Cape Town to Johannesburg – One of the busiest air routes in the world, with flights almost every hour. Flight time: ~2 hours.
Cape Town to Durban – A popular route to the east coast, taking around 2 hours 15 minutes.
Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) – A short flight of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Cape Town to George – Quick access to the Garden Route in just 1 hour.
Cape Town to East London – Reach the Eastern Cape in around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Cape Town to Nelspruit (Mbombela) – Fly directly to safari country in just under 3 hours.

These routes are served daily by airlines such as FlySafair, Airlink, CemAir, and South African Airways, with multiple departures to choose from. Whether you’re traveling for business, a beach holiday, or to visit family, Cape Town is an easy starting point.

Domestic flights from Johannesburg

Johannesburg is South Africa’s main hub for domestic flights, with direct routes to nearly every major city and region. Whether you’re heading to the coast, the Cape, or the bush, flying from Johannesburg is fast and convenient.

Johannesburg to Cape Town – One of the busiest air routes in the world, with flights almost every hour. Flight time: ~2 hours.
Johannesburg to Durban – A quick trip to the east coast in about 1 hour.
Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) – Reach the Eastern Cape in around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Johannesburg to George – A 2-hour flight to the heart of the Garden Route.
Johannesburg to East London – Around 1 hour 30 minutes in the air.
Johannesburg to Nelspruit (Mbombela) – Just a 1-hour flight to the gateway of Kruger National Park.
Johannesburg to Bloemfontein – A short hop of about 1 hour.

These routes are served daily by airlines such as FlySafair, Airlink, CemAir, and South African Airways, offering multiple departures throughout the day.

Major domestic airlines in South Africa

South Africa has a strong mix of full-service and low-cost airlines, covering numerous domestic routes. Here’s a quick guide to the main carriers:

South African Airways (SAA) – The country’s flag carrier, offering frequent flights between major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).
FlySafair – A popular low-cost airline with a broad network, known for affordable flights between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, George, and other key destinations.
Airlink – A regional carrier serving both major cities and smaller towns, with routes to places like Bloemfontein, Nelspruit (Mbombela), and the Kruger National Park area.
CemAir – A regional airline offering connections between Johannesburg and several smaller airports, including Plettenberg Bay, Margate, and Sishen.
Federal Air – A regional airline offering specialized flights to smaller and more remote destinations, including areas around Kruger National Park, the Eastern Cape, and the Waterberg.

All of these airlines can be booked through Alternative Airlines, with the option to pay over time, in your currency, and with instant confirmation.

Airports in South Africa

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

O.R. Tambo International Airport, located in Johannesburg, is the largest and busiest airport in South Africa. It's a major hub for both domestic and international flights. You can reach all major cities in South Africa from this airport, making it a good stopover location for travellers on multi-city trips. This airport is primarily served by Airlink, CemAir, FlySafair, LIFT and South African Airways.

Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

This is the second-busiest airport in the country and is the main gateway to Cape Town, a popular tourist and honeymooning destination. Cape Town International Airport offers frequent flights to many major South African cities and towns with airlines like Airlink and FlySafair.

King Shaka International Airport (DUR)

Located in Durban, this airport is South Africa's third-busiest. It's the primary gateway into the major coastal resort city and is very close to Durban's city centre. From King Shaka International Airport, you can reach Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, East London and more. Most flights here are operated by FlySafair.

Lanseria International Airport (HLA)

Johannesburg has a smaller airport called Lanseria International Airport. It's less crowded and is mostly used by business and leisure travellers flying with FlySafair. Cape Town and Durban are the only other cities you can fly to from here.

Baggage policies for domestic flights in South Africa

Cabin Baggage 🎒

Most airlines include a small carry-on bag in the base fare, typically between 7–10kg. Some airlines also permit a personal item, such as a handbag or laptop bag, but size limits may vary by carrier.

Checked Baggage 🧳

Checked luggage is not always included, particularly with low-cost carriers like FlySafair. You'll usually need to add it during the booking process for an additional fee. Full-service airlines like South African Airways and Airlink may include checked luggage in higher fare types.

Notable Differences ⚖️

FlySafair: Basic fares include only a small cabin bag, with checked baggage available for an extra charge.
Federal Air: Special baggage allowances on smaller regional flights, with weight limits varying by route.

When you book with us, we show baggage info upfront, so there are no surprises at the airport, and you can add bags to your travel plan in just a few clicks.

Cabin classes for domestic flights in South Africa

Most domestic flights in South Africa are short (often under two hours), so travel classes and in-flight services tend to be fairly simple. However, there are still a few options to choose from when booking.

Economy Class 💺

The most common option on domestic flights. You’ll typically get a standard seat with the ability to add extras like baggage, seat selection, or priority boarding. On low-cost airlines like FlySafair, food and drinks are available for purchase onboard.

Business Class 💼

Available on select routes, particularly with South African Airways and Airlink. Expect more spacious seating, priority boarding, and in some cases, access to airport lounges. While onboard service is more limited compared to long-haul flights, you’ll often be offered a light snack and drink.

Premium Options ✨

Some airlines provide upgraded seats or flexible fare options that include extra baggage and the ability to make flight changes. These are ideal if you're seeking a bit more comfort without upgrading to full business class.

No matter which class you choose, we’ll show you exactly what’s included when you book. This way, you can make an informed decision and avoid paying for extras you don’t need.

How to book domestic flights in South Africa

Booking domestic flights in South Africa is straightforward, especially when you know where to look and what to expect. Here’s how to make it easy:

Start your search at Alternative Airlines. Compare flights from over 600 airlines, including all major Spanish airlines. Just enter your cities, dates, and we’ll show you what’s available.
Choose how you want to pay. Book now and spread the cost later with flexible options like PayJustNow, Payflex and more. You can also pay in your local currency, by card or bank transfer.
Pick your trip type. Whether it’s one-way, round-trip or a multi-city itinerary, our platform lets you build the travel plan that works for you.
Confirm and get flying. Once you’ve picked your flight and payment option, you’ll get instant confirmation - no waiting around.

You can also add bags, seat selection or flight protection during checkout. It’s all designed to keep things flexible, clear and under your control.

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Pay later for domestic flights in South Africa with PayJustNow

At Alternative Airlines, we offer PayJustNow, a Buy Now Pay Later payment method in South Africa, at checkout. With PayJustNow, you can spread the cost of your domestic South Africa flights over time and not have to pay the full cost of your ticket upfront!

You can select PayJustNow at checkout and split your flight costs into 3 manageable instalments. There are no hidden fees and no interest to pay, as long as you make payments on time.

Please note that PayJustNow is currently only available to residents of South Africa.

Ready to book domestic flights in South Africa?

It's quick and easy to use the Alternative Airlines search bar to discover flights within South Africa! You can book your flight in your local currency with Alternative Airlines. We offer more than 160 currencies including US Dollars, Euros and South African Rand.

And if you're a bit concerned about travelling around South Africa, you can put your mind at ease and find out all you need to know with our South Africa Travel Advice and South Africa Travel Guide.

FAQs

Do I need a passport for domestic flights in South Africa?

You won't need a passport for a domestic flight within South Africa. However, you'll need some form of government-issued photo identification that the airline will check at the airport.

It's important to check with each individual airline on the type of identification that they accept, as it might differ from airline to airline.

How early do I need to arrive for domestic flights in South Africa?

For local flights, airport check-in closing times can vary from anything between 45–30 minutes before flight departure time, so it's recommended to arrive 90 minutes before flight departure time to give yourself plenty of time before your flight.

The only exception to this is with Airlink. This airline closes its check-in counters 90 minutes before the flight departure time. So it's recommended you arrive at the airport 30–45 minutes before this.

If you've checked in online and have no checked bags to drop, you can go straight to security and can afford to arrive at the airport a little later.

Are there any airlines that no longer operate in South Africa?

Over the years, there have been a number of airlines which have unfortunately ceased operations in South Africa. This includes:

Nationwide Aviation, which operated international flights to other destinations in Africa, as well as to Europe, before ceasing operations in 2008.
1Time Airline was also a low-cost airline that operated in South Africa but ceased operations in 2021.
Mango Airlines was a low-cost South African airline that suspended operations in 2021 due to financial issues.

Can I book domestic flights online?

Yes, you can book domestic flights within South Africa online on the Alternative Airlines website. Use our search form and enter the dates and destinations that you want to fly between to see all options from all airlines.

Can I pay later for domestic South Africa flights?

Absolutely! At Alternative Airlines, we're proud to offer flexible Buy Now Pay Later plans that let you split the cost of your flight tickets into smaller instalments paid back over time. You can spread the cost of your domestic flights in South Africa over weeks or months, depending on the payment plan you have chosen.

One popular BNPL we offer is PayJustNow - this is a South African BNPL, available to residents of South Africa. You can split the cost of your domestic flights into 3 - make the first payment at the time of booking, then pay the 2 remaining payments over the next 2 months, only when you book through Alternative Airlines!

Discover more about PayJustNow here, or take a look at the rest of our Fly Now Pay Later plans here.

Can I book private flights within South Africa?

Yes, you can. There are a number of airlines operating in South Africa which provide private charter, taxi, and even sightseeing tours. An example is Angel Gabriel Aeronautics.

What should I pack for domestic flights in South Africa?

If you're entering South Africa from a foreign country, and then travelling domestically, it's a good idea to keep your passport, travel visa (if applicable), travel insurance and all other important travel documents with you at all times. Comfortable clothing and footwear, toiletries, electronic devices and money are also recommended!

Find out more about South Africa travel essentials here at Alternative Airlines.

When is the best time to book domestic flights in South Africa?

This depends on what you're planning to do in South Africa.

For safari adventures, aim to visit from May to September
For a beach holiday, November and March provide the best weather
To spot whales, travel between June and November

We recommend booking your domestic South Africa flights well in advance (at least 6 months). Although domestic flights might seem cheaper than international flights, many domestic South African routes become popular during peak travel times.

Find out more about the best time to travel to South Africa here at Alternative Airlines.