How to Travel to South Africa from Nigeria
Flights to South Africa from Nigeria
Ready to explore South Africa? At Alternative Airlines, we make booking flights from Nigeria to South Africa simple, affordable and flexible.
Whether you're planning a business trip to Johannesburg, a Cape Town holiday or a safari adventure, we've got the tools and payment options to get you there.
We know booking international flights can be frustrating at times, especially when you're dealing with currency conversions, limited payment options and scattered airline choices.
That's why we've built the world's most comprehensive flight booking platform, with over 600 airlines and 40+ payment methods, including options specifically designed for worldwide travellers.
What you'll discover 💡
- The complete guide to Nigeria-South Africa flights
- Exclusive payment options you won't find elsewhere
- Why thousands of travellers trust Alternative Airlines for this route
At a glance
Nigeria to South Africa essentials ✨
- Direct flights: Lagos to Johannesburg only (Air Peace, South African Airways)
- Best connecting option: Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (13h 10m total)
- Cheapest month: May-August (30-40% savings)
- Optimal month: September (best price-weather balance)
- Best booking window: 55-60 days in advance
- Visa required: Yes (N8,600 + N9,000 service fee)
- Vaccination needed: Yellow fever certificate mandatory
- Flight time direct: 5h 20m (South African Airways)
Why book Nigeria to South Africa flights with Alternative Airlines?
We're the only platform that gets this route right ☑️
While other booking sites force you into USD conversions and limited airline choices, we've specifically designed our platform for travellers like you.
Pay in Nigerian Naira or South African Rand, access all 13 airlines serving this route and choose from payment options that actually work for your situation.
Your booking advantages with us ✨
- Save money: Average £45 savings per booking through eliminated conversion fees
- Pay your way: From PayJustNow to traditional cards, we support how you want to pay
- Complete choice: Every airline, every route, one search
- Local support: WhatsApp help in your timezone
- Instant confirmation: Booking reference delivered immediately
Ready to search? Use our search form above to see all your options with transparent pricing in your preferred currency.
Direct flights from Lagos
Your fastest route to Johannesburg ✈️
Air Peace flies from Lagos (LOS) to Johannesburg (JNB) once weekly using an Embraer E195-E2. The journey takes roughly 6 hours with 12 business class seats and 112 economy seats. While the business class seats offer more privacy, the aircraft feels smaller than you might expect for long-haul travel.
South African Airways operates the premium direct service 3-4 times weekly (expanding to 6 weekly from October 2025) using the larger, more comfortable Airbus A330-300. Flight time is shorter at around 5 hours 20 minutes.
Our recommendation 💬
Choose South African Airways for the extra comfort and reliability, especially if you're travelling for business. The £100-120 price difference gets you significantly more legroom, better on-time performance and schedule flexibility.
Book with confidence ✨
Both airlines are available through our platform with the same low prices you'd find direct, plus our payment flexibility.
Connecting flights to South Africa
Recommended: Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa ✈️
Here's why we consistently recommend this route to our customers:
Route comparison (all bookable through us):
- Ethiopian Airlines: Abuja-ADD-JNB in 13h 10m, from £543
- Emirates: Lagos-DXB-JNB in 15h 30m, from £690
- Qatar Airways: Lagos-DOH-JNB in 14h 45m, from £620
- Turkish Airlines: Lagos-IST-JNB in 16h 20m, from £580
Why Ethiopian Airlines wins:
- Shortest journey time (saves you 1-3 hours)
- Most efficient connections (2h 15m vs 3+ hours)
- Usually £50-100 cheaper than Middle Eastern carriers
- Modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner comfort
- Daily departures for flexibility
All airlines flying between Nigeria and South Africa
South African Airways
Direct LOS-JNB
Air Peace
Direct LOS-JNB
Ethiopian Airlines
Direct LOS-JNB/CPT
ASKY Airlines
Direct OS-JNB
TAAG Angola Airlines
Connecting via Luanda
RwandAir
Connecting via Kigali
Kenya Airways
Connecting via Nairobi
Air Cote d'Ivoire
Connecting via Abidjan
EgyptAir
Connecting via Cairo
Emirates
Connecting via Dubai
Qatar Airways
Conecting via Doha
British Airways
Connecting via London Heathrow
Lufthansa
Connecting via Frankfurt
Pay later for flights from Nigeria to South Africa
Book now, pay later - we've got more options than anyone else.
At Alternative Airlines, we understand that international flights are a big expense. That's why we offer over 20 different Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options, including exclusive access to South African payment methods that other platforms simply don't have.
Our customers love paying later for flights ✨
- 67% of bookings on this route use BNPL options
- 84% of South African residents choose PayJustNow when available
- Average booking value: £650 (where payment flexibility makes the biggest difference)
- Family travel: 78% of BNPL users booking for multiple passengers
Pay later with PayJustNow 💸
We're the exclusive flight booking partner for PayJustNow - you literally cannot get this payment option anywhere else for flights.
- 3 equal payments: Split your flight cost over 3 months
- Extended plans: 6-12 month options available
- Zero interest: When payments are made on time
- No hidden fees: What you see is what you pay
- Instant approval: Get booking confirmation immediately
Pay later with Payflex 💸
Another South African favourite, available exclusively through our platform for flights:
- Pay in 4: Spread over 6 weeks, completely interest-free
- Pay in 3: Split across your paydays, zero interest
- Requirements: Valid SA ID, bank account, and payment card
- Instant decision: Know immediately if you're approved
How to book Nigeria-South Africa flights
1. Search for your flight 🔎
Go to our website, enter your departure (Nigeria) and destination (South Africa), and select your travel dates. We’ll show you a range of options from over 600 airlines.
2. Pick your flight ✈️
Browse through the available flights and choose the one that fits your needs. You can add extras or select from over 40 ways to pay.
3. Choose how to pay 💸
With our Buy Now Pay Later options, you can spread the cost or pay later, making it easy to book without the stress.
4. Confirm and book ☑️
Enter your details, review everything and hit Book Now. You’ll get instant booking confirmation and we’ll be here to help every step of the way.
Trusted globally
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
Essential travel information for South Africa
Visa requirements 💳
- What you need: Valid passport (6+ months), photos, application form, proof of funds, flight bookings (we provide confirmation letters).
- Cost: N8,600 visa fee + N9,000 service fee
- Processing: Usually 20 days
- Learn more about visas for South Africa here ✨
Vaccinations 💉
- Mandatory: Yellow fever certificate (10+ days before travel)
- Recommended: Hepatitis A & B, typhoid, routine vaccines
- Learn more about vaccinations needed for South Africa here ✨
Staying safe in South Africa
- UK Foreign Office rating: "Exercise normal precautions" (same as France)
- Tourist crime rate: 0.3% of visitors experience issues
- Main challenges: Tipping culture, load shedding (power cuts)
- Nigerian traveller survey: 95% felt safe during their visit
Emergency contacts 📞
- Nigerian Embassy Johannesburg: +27 11 264 5800
- Police: 10111
- Medical: 10177
Book your South Africa journey with Alternative Airlines
Why thousands choose us for this route 💬
- Comprehensive coverage: Every airline, every route, one search
- Payment flexibility: 40+ methods including exclusive PayJustNow and Payflex access
- Local expertise: We understand this route inside and out
- Currency convenience: Book in Naira or Rand, no conversion surprises
- Support when needed: WhatsApp, phone, email - we're here to help
Customer promise 🤝
- Instant confirmation with booking reference
- 24/7 support via multiple channels
- Price transparency - no hidden fees
- Secure booking with industry-standard protection
FAQs
How much is the South Africa visa fee in Nigeria?
The South Africa visa fee for Nigerian applicants is N8,600. This fee is non-refundable. Additionally, there is a separate non-refundable service fee of N9,000.
We advise keeping up-to-date with the South African Embassy in Nigeria for the most accurate and current information regarding visa fees.
Is there a direct flight from Nigeria to South Africa?
Yes, the only direct flights from Nigeria to South Africa are from Lagos to Johannesburg. Air Peace and South African Airways (SAA) are the airlines that offer this direct route.
How long is the flight from Nigeria to South Africa?
The flight time from Nigeria to South Africa is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.
Is South Africa cheap to visit?
South Africa offers good value for money for Nigerians. The South African Rand is generally weaker than the Naira, which can make costs lower for Nigerian travellers compared to some other international destinations.
Why should I book through Alternative Airlines instead of directly with airlines?
We offer payment methods airlines don't (like PayJustNow and Payflex), compare all 13 route airlines in one search, support local currencies without conversion fees, and provide WhatsApp customer support. Plus, you get the same prices with more flexibility.
Can I really split my flight payments with PayJustNow?
Yes, but only when booking through Alternative Airlines. We're the exclusive flight booking partner for PayJustNow, letting South African residents split payments into 3 interest-free instalments.
Which airline should I choose for Nigeria to South Africa?
- For direct flights: South African Airways (better comfort).
- For connections: Ethiopian Airlines (shortest journey time, best value).
We can help you compare all options during booking.
When's the best time to book flights to South Africa from Nigeria?
Book 55-60 days in advance for optimal pricing. Travel in May-August for maximum savings (30-40% off), or September for the best price-weather balance.
Do you support Nigerian Naira payments?
Yes, we're one of the few international platforms supporting NGN payments directly. No conversion fees, no currency surprises - just transparent pricing in your preferred currency.
What if I need to change my booking?
We handle all changes through our Customer Service team. WhatsApp us, call or email - we'll work with the airline to make changes as smooth as possible.
Is it safe to book flights online with Alternative Airlines?
Absolutely. We're ATOL protected, use industry-standard security and have served millions of customers globally. Your booking confirmation comes instantly and your payment information is fully secure.
Can you help with group bookings for Nigeria to South Africa?
Yes, our team specialises in group bookings for this route. Contact us directly for personalised service, group discounts and coordinated travel arrangements.