Airlines and services South Africa

Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport, built in 1952, has been refurbished and expanded to welcome tourists in 2010 for the World Cup. Every day, many national and international flights take off and land there. There are vending machines and a Vodacom shop: buy a phone chip with rechargeable Internet credit when you arrive if you want to use the GPS on your phone with a South African chip, which is economical and very practical.

Aviation enthusiasts will go to Upington Airport. These facilities were very active during the war against Swapo in Namibia and the Cubans in Angola. General Van Ryneveld made the first flight from England to Cape Town in 1920 and the first direct flight from Pretoria to Cape Town in 1927. Founder of the South African Air Force, he commanded the South African Forces engaged with the Allies during the Second World War.

King Shaka is Durban's newest and most modern airport, which opened in 2010. The former Louis Botha Airport was located 60 km north of Durban, which was not very convenient for business. Airlines such as FlySafair, Kulula and South African Airlines operate regular flights between Durban and the country's main cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit and George.

Few taxis are looking for the customer from the exit. Most are licensed drivers, but there is also "the informal", not necessarily dangerous, certainly ruinous. Agree to follow a driver only after establishing a fixed price. Here, we walk to the package, between 300 and 450 R to go to town, which is more expensive than renting a car for the day!

Since 1995, this private South African airline has been operating regional flights to more than forty-five destinations throughout southern Africa. From Johannesburg or Cape Town, for example, you can fly to Botswana (Gaborone, Maun and Kasane), Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Madagascar. Many domestic flights are also operated by the company. The prices are reasonable, which will save you a lot of time during your stay. Serious and punctual company. Small snack on board offered, whether for short or long trips.

There is only one airport in Cape Town, with an international and a domestic terminal. It takes between 20 and 30 minutes to reach the airport from the centre. Just under an hour when the motorway is busy, via the N2, exit 18. Inside: cash dispensers, exchange offices, restaurants, tourist office kiosk, car rental agencies. Wi-fi. See Vodacom/MTN for the purchase of local SIM cards.

Once South Africa's national airline, this now privately-owned company is one of the continent's leading carriers. It operates flights throughout the country, to and from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, Hoedspruit, George, Plettenberg Bay... as well as to several African countries and Latin America. From comfort and hospitality on board to menus prepared by top chefs, everything is done to guarantee you an experience of the highest standards, in complete safety.

Line offering an extensive network of regional and domestic flights in Southern Africa, operates as a franchisee of South African Airways. Direct scheduled flights between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Windhoek, as well as from Livingstone to Nelspruit. Through their alliance with SAA, one can easily connect to other long haul or domestic flights. Airlink is a member of the South African Airways (SAA) frequent flyer program. Reservations available online, booking agent or SAA Central booking by phone.

For those who prefer local transport to the unmissable Uber, set up for the 2010 World Cup, the Gautrain is comparable to the Parisian metro, only slightly more expensive. Ideal for getting to Johannesburg or Pretoria from the airport, nine stops are possible. Pretoria residents working in Johannesburg use it on a daily basis. It is a very safe, well-travelled, spacious, quiet and fast means of transport. It takes only about 12 minutes to reach downtown Johannesburg.

With its flashy green planes, it is the South African airline, Air France's preferred partner since October 2014, Kulula Airlines connects Cape Town daily with Durban, Johannesburg, but also the smaller cities of Lanseria, George, Port Elizabeth and East London. It will sometimes be easier, or even unavoidable in some cases to fly some routes internally, as the flagship cities are sometimes too far away. On its website, you can create your own package with flight, car rental and hotel.

After a 23-year partnership with South African Airways, Airlink became independent under this name in 2020. Its fleet is mainly Embraer, carrying a maximum of around one hundred passengers. The company serves the main airports in Southern Africa, including St. Helena (where Napoleon was exiled). In Malawi, it connects Lilongwe (Kamusu airport, 25 km north of the capital) or Blantyre (Chileka airport, 16 km north) to Johannesburg in South Africa four times a week for €500 return.

After a 23-year partnership with South African Airways, Airlink became independent under this name in 2020. Its fleet consists mainly of Embraer aircraft carrying a maximum of a hundred passengers. The company serves the main airports in Southern Africa, including St Helene (where Napoleon was exiled). In Malawi, it connects Lilongwe (Kamusu airport, 25 km north of the capital) or Blantyre (Chileka airport, 16 km north) to Johannesburg in South Africa four times a week for a fare of €500 return.