Travelling from Johannesburg to Washington DC: what you need to know
Planning your holiday starts with working 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 reserving a flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC taking off from here.
Washington DC has a variety of airports you can fly into. Hop off the plane at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC.
If you're jetting off during a bank holiday or other peak period, allow extra time. A good rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at security and check-in will be longer.
To travel to United States for tourism purposes, you will need an embassy visa if you hold a passport from South Africa. However, visa rules can change and you may need further documentation depending on the purpose and length of your visit. Always check the latest guidelines before booking your cheap flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular options:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
JNB is around 29 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 29 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour and 12 minutes.
Want a handy hotel near O.R. Tambo International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to central Washington DC is roughly 8 kilometres. It'll take you about 16 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 43 minutes if you're using public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC. Reserve one of these accommodation options near DCA instead:
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
After your flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in around 51 minutes by car. Central Washington DC is approximately 56 kilometres from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
You can also travel using public transport, which will take approximately 3 hours and 26 minutes.
After your flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC, tuck yourself in at a hotel near IAD. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Washington DC
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Washington DC is R 9,359. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 15,270. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
To score cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Washington DC, book in advance. Airlines usually offer their best fares when flights are first released.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across each month when searching for a ticket from Johannesburg to Washington DC.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll get notified right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Washington DC every day.
Play around with filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Johannesburg to Washington DC, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Washington DC
It's time to pick your trip dates for your flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC. July is the most popular month for a trip to Washington DC. If you like a more relaxed atmosphere, go in May.
Schedule your flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC for July if you want to head to the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Washington DC to range from 19ºC to 33ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, lock in a cheap ticket from Johannesburg to Washington DC in January when temperatures average between -6ºC and 10ºC.
More about Washington DC
After booking your flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Washington DC:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. White House Historical Association, The White House and National Mall are leading attractions which should feature on any well-planned Washington DC itinerary.
Complete your Washington DC trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Washington DC isn't the only trick up our sleeve. Check out our car rentals in Washington DC and explore on your own terms. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.