Flying from East London Airport (ELS) to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Approximately 1 hour 35 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from East London Airport to Johannesburg.
East London (the location of East London Airport) and Johannesburg follow the same timezone — UTC+2.
With 45 weekly flights between the two airports, East London Airport (ELS) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the busiest route. CemAir operates the earliest flight at 07:00. If you're eager to get more out of your day before leaving, the latest departure from ELS to JNB is with Safair at 18:45.
For a relaxed start to your ELS to Johannesburg flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Longer lines at check-in and security are likely if you're travelling during high season, so allow some extra breathing room. A good general rule for peak times? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Begin your journey at ELS and fly nonstop to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). That will be your arrival point when searching for East London Airport to Johannesburg tickets.
There's a good selection of airlines offering direct flights from East London Airport to Johannesburg, including:
ELS is about 5 kilometres from central East London. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to arrive, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a hassle-free start to your journey? Stay near ELS. Whether you're taking an early flight from East London Airport to Johannesburg or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are a convenient choice:
Of all flights leaving East London Airport, 71.19% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from East London Airport (ELS) to Johannesburg
$113 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way East London Airport to Johannesburg flight. A round-trip ticket right now is $282. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap flights from ELS to Johannesburg, book early. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when tickets first go on sale.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, make the most of the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across each month when looking for your East London Airport to Johannesburg ticket.
There's no need to keep looking every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an even better deal on cheap flights from ELS to Johannesburg.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from East London Airport to Johannesburg by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg takes about 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 29 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from East London Airport to Johannesburg. Stay at one of these accommodation options near JNB instead:
Go where the road takes you with an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion and venture far and wide through Johannesburg and beyond.
Lock in the best rate by reserving your vehicle from O.R. Tambo International Airport about three weeks in advance of your flight from ELS to Johannesburg.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Once your flight from East London Airport to Johannesburg has landed, you can reach the city centre in around 50 minutes by car. Central Johannesburg is roughly 48 kilometres from Lanseria International Airport (HLA).
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near HLA. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your ELS to Johannesburg flight at any of these well-located options:
First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire and Firefly powered by Hertz make picking up a Lanseria International Airport rental car easy and quick. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Securing your ride from HLA four weeks ahead of time often means more savings and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from East London Airport to Johannesburg. The city buzzes during high season, but prices are generally higher and top attractions can get crowded. Visit Johannesburg in the off-season if you want a quieter vibe.
Before booking an East London Airport to Johannesburg flight ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. January is the warmest month in Johannesburg, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 30ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from ELS to Johannesburg in July when temperatures average between 4ºC and 20ºC.
More about Johannesburg
Start your Johannesburg trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from East London Airport to Johannesburg, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Maboneng Precinct, Constitution Hill and Johannesburg Zoo are major attractions which should be on any good Johannesburg itinerary.
Explore more of South Africa
Johannesburg is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of South Africa waiting to be explored. About 451 kilometres south-east of Johannesburg, a visit to Pietermaritzburg will keep you busy. Don't miss top attractions like KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, Comrades Marathon House and The Old Prison.
If you're eager to discover another major destination in South Africa, consider Bloemfontein, roughly 370 kilometres south-west of Johannesburg. Naval Hill Planetarium, Bloemfontein Zoo and Anglo Boer War Museum are among its highlights.