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.
Travel from the USA to South Africa
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Flights to South Africa from the USA
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. You should:
- 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.
Flights to Cape Town
You've got three main options for direct flights to Cape Town from the US:
Fly with United Airlines
- Fly from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Cape Town International Airport (CPT). The trip takes about fourteen hours and they fly this route every other day.
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Cape Town (CPT). This trip is also a fourteen-hour flight, with departures every other day.
These routes are served by a Boeing 777-200, which offers a comfortable journey in eithercan United Polaris business class or United Economy.
Fly with Delta Air Lines
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Cape Town (CPT). This flight takes fifteen hours and is operated 3 times a week.
With Delta, you'll be jetting off on their state-of-the-art Airbus A350, which offers the latest in comfort and in-flight experiences.
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
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Cape Town (CPT)
- fourteen hour flight.
- Daily service.
- Operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The Dreamliner used on this route is a real step up from Uniteds 777-200 used on their Cape Town flights. It's quieter, more spacious, and generally a much more comfortable.
Delta
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Cape Town (CPT)
- Fifteen hour flight.
- Daily flights.
- Operated with a Airbus A350-900, known for its quiet cabins and comfortable seating.
If you’re connecting from another US city, Atlanta is a great option as it offers a vast network of domestic flights. It is hands down, it’s one of the best starting points for a USA to South Africa flight.
If you're a frequent flyer, your loyalty program might sway your decision. Both United's MileagePlus and Delta's SkyMiles both offer a range of perks, and If you're already racking up frequent flyer points with either we recommend you 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.
We recommend you combine two flights:
- One to Johannesburg (14-15 hours)
- Then a domestic hop to Durban (5 hours)
Total trip is approximately nineteen hours long.
You can start your journey with either:
- United Airlines from Newark (EWR)
- Delta Airlines from Atlanta (ATL)
Both routes outlined in our Johannesburg guide above.
Once you land in Johannesburg, you'll need to catch a domestic flight to Durban. We recommend South African Airways. They're the national carrier and offer a reliable service.
Book Flights to South Africa from the US
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Spread your costs into more manageable instalments time with over 20+ Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options. If you’re a South African resident, you can now take advantage of PayJustNow, a Buy Now, Pay Later service lets you split your payments into 3 equal parts.
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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.