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Travelling from Nairobi to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll catch your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL) are the main airports in Nairobi.
Disembark at Johannesburg's chief entry point, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
The average duration of a direct flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg is 4 hours 12 minutes. Johannesburg's timezone is UTC+2, making Johannesburg 1 hour behind Nairobi.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 44 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg is with Kenya Airways at 21:00. Opt for the first NBO to JNB departure operated by Kenya Airways at 04:25 if you're more of an early bird.
To ensure you get on your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you travel during a peak period in general.
If you hold a passport from Kenya and want to travel to South Africa for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may vary based on the duration of your stay and can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's nearest embassy or consulate before reserving a cheap flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg.
Flying from Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg, you can board one at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Travel from NBO to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) without making any stops.
Kenya Airways is a popular airline that offers direct flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg taking off from NBO.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg leaving from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Kigali International Airport (KGL)
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN)
Travelling from central Nairobi to NBO takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 22 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Booked an early flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg? Avoid rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to freshen up with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg, browse these options when taking off from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Kigali International Airport (KGL)
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN)
WIL is around 3 kilometres from central Nairobi. It'll take 15 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 46 minutes.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg, take things easy in one of these hotels close to Wilson Airport:
Arriving in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to the centre of Johannesburg is about 29 minutes by car. It's approximately 29 kilometres away.
It takes around 1 hour and 12 minutes when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg. Reserve one of these accommodation options near JNB instead:
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
The centre of Johannesburg is approximately 48 kilometres from Lanseria International Airport (HLA). After your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 51 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to HLA. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg:
How to find the cheapest flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg
Right now, R 4,488 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Nairobi to Johannesburg. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 7,607. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book 8 months before flying. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from Nairobi to Johannesburg.
April is the cheapest month for tickets from Nairobi to Johannesburg. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Nairobi to Johannesburg. There's no need to check back in every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll update you the moment the price changes.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
July is the most popular month for flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg. To escape the crowds, visit Johannesburg in February.
Lock in your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg for January if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Johannesburg to range from 15ºC to 30ºC.
July has average temperatures of between 4ºC and 20ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Nairobi to Johannesburg sometime around then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Johannesburg
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Johannesburg right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Constitution Hill, Maboneng Precinct and Johannesburg Zoo are must-do's during your Johannesburg adventure.
Complete your Johannesburg trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg isn't our only cool trick. Check out our car rentals in Johannesburg and explore at your own pace. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.
