Flying from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Johannesburg: what you need to know
The timezone in Johannesburg is UTC+2. The city is six hours ahead of Durham, where Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located.
To avoid missing your RDU to Johannesburg flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
If you're travelling during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at security and check-in will be longer.
We make it a breeze to book flight tickets from RDU to Johannesburg with a stopover. To see the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Travelling from central Durham to RDU takes about 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 16 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Booked an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Johannesburg? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels near RDU:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport gets high marks for on-time performance. 80.09% of flights that depart RDU land on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Johannesburg
$1,214 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Johannesburg flight. A return ticket right now is $2,132. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To find cheap flights from RDU to Johannesburg, book ahead. Airlines usually offer lower fares when tickets first go on sale.
If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across each month when searching for a Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Johannesburg ticket.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from RDU to Johannesburg by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Find a cheap flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Johannesburg with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is around 29 kilometres from the centre of Johannesburg. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes about 30 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Johannesburg, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near JNB:
Pick up an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car and explore Johannesburg and beyond with your own wheels. Carwiz, Alamo and Green Motion are leading providers you can book with here.
Reserving your ride from O.R. Tambo International Airport around three weeks before your flight from RDU to Johannesburg can help you lock in the best possible rate.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
After your flight from Raleigh-Durham International 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).
After stepping off your RDU to Johannesburg flight, unwind at a hotel near HLA. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire and Firefly powered by Hertz make picking up a Lanseria International Airport rental car simple. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get exactly what you want. Reserving your ride from HLA four weeks in advance often means more savings and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
Travel to Johannesburg during the high season if you prefer a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices are typically higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Johannesburg during low season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
Before locking in your Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Johannesburg flight ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Johannesburg, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from RDU to Johannesburg in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC and 20ºC on average.
More about Johannesburg
Start your Johannesburg trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Johannesburg, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
Maboneng Precinct and Constitution Hill are just the start of the popular attractions to add to your Johannesburg itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Johannesburg Zoo.
Explore more of South Africa
Johannesburg is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of South Africa you'll want to see. About 451 kilometres south-east of Johannesburg, a trip to Pietermaritzburg will keep you on the go. Start with popular sights like KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, Comrades Marathon House and The Old Prison.
Bloemfontein is another favourite destination in South Africa and is around 370 kilometres south-west of Johannesburg. No journey is complete without seeing Naval Hill Planetarium, Bloemfontein Zoo and Anglo Boer War Museum.