Flying from Johannesburg to New York: what you need to know
Planning your trip begins with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Johannesburg. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for booking a flight from Johannesburg to New York taking off from here.
New York has a variety of airports you can jet into. Hop off the plane at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
The average time for a direct flight from Johannesburg to New York is 16 hours 4 minutes. New York's timezone is UTC-4, which makes New York 6 hours behind Johannesburg.
The busiest route for flights from Johannesburg to New York is from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). You can choose from 10 services every week between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from JNB to EWR is the 20:00 United Airlines option. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last departure is at 22:00 with United Airlines.
To ensure you catch your flight from Johannesburg to New York, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Heading away during a peak time like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
If you hold a passport from South Africa, you'll need an embassy visa to enter United States. This applies when booking a cheap flight from Johannesburg to New York for tourism purposes. The rules may be different if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check the visa rules before you book and certainly before flying.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
You can book a nonstop flight from Johannesburg to New York departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Begin your journey at JNB and arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
United Airlines is a popular carrier that operates direct flights from Johannesburg to New York jetting out of JNB.
We make it a cinch to book a flight from Johannesburg to New York that includes a stopover. To see all your options departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Located around 29 kilometres from the centre of Johannesburg, JNB can be reached in about 29 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour and 12 minutes.
Have an early flight from Johannesburg to New York? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to O.R. Tambo International Airport:
Arriving in New York
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is around 24 kilometres from central New York. With a car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 28 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 11 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Johannesburg to New York, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near EWR:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Once your flight from Johannesburg to New York has landed, you can make your way to the city centre in around 48 minutes by car. Central New York is roughly 48 kilometres from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Public transport will get you there in approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
After your flight from Johannesburg to New York, unwind at a hotel close to JFK. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to New York
R 6,883 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to New York. A return flight starts at R 12,556. These prices may change based on demand.
Score cheap tickets from Johannesburg to New York by booking at least 9 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
Plan your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Johannesburg to New York. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you time looking for cheap tickets from Johannesburg to New York every day.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Johannesburg to New York, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and journey duration.
Best time to go to New York
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Johannesburg to New York. August is the most popular month to travel to New York. If you want a more low-key vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in New York is July, with the temperature ranging between 18ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from Johannesburg to New York in this month if this is the type of weather you like.
If you like cooler conditions, lock in a cheap ticket from Johannesburg to New York in January when temperatures average between -6ºC and 8ºC.
More about New York
After booking your flight from Johannesburg to New York, think about where you want to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring New York:
Statue of Liberty and Central Park are just a couple of the major attractions to put on your New York must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Empire State Building.
Complete your New York trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Johannesburg to New York to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to drive in New York, from the most popular car rental to the average daily price.
