Look at flying through another foreign city or country to get to Johannesburg, South Africa – even if you can fly direct from your own country or city. Most people that fly to Johannesburg from London, Frankfurt, Perth, Canada, the USA or other places want to fly the most direct route they can.  If nonstop or direct flights are available they only look at those flights. They pay for that convenience.

If you are willing to travel & connect through a second city, you may save a lot or get a flight when all flights to Johannesburg seem booked. For example, for December, don’t confirm your search for a cheap flight from London  to Johannesburg to British Airways, Virgin or South African Airways.  You may have a better chance of finding a cheap airfare to Johannesburg if you consider flying through Paris on Air France, Dubai on Emirates, Amsterdam on KLM, Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways or Frankfurt on Lufthansa.

2. When traveling from Europe, Canada, Australia or the USA, always check out flights from less well known airlines that go through a second city or country.  That’s where you’ll find the bargains!

There are really two points here.  First those flights to Johannesburg  via another city are almost always cheaper than trying to find a cheap flight to Johannesburg on an airline that flies nonstop. That  means if you live in Manchester or Glasgow, you should look at other departure cities than London.  Same if you live in Australia. For example, if you live in Perth, take a look at Air Malaysia or  Singapore Airlines.  And second,

Look at less well known airlines!

You can make all of this very easy for yourself by using an airfare search engine. It will help you find less well known airlines.  And the best airfare search engines will help you see what routes you can take to save money.  When looking for such search engines make sure that they also include consolidator airfares – many don’t. These consolidator airfares have restrictions (all low airfares do) but they can save you up to 70% on published airfares.   Give them a look if you want a cheap flight to South Africa.3. What do you do to find cheap flights to Johannesburg from Inside South Africa?My best advice is to search the websites of South Africa’s newer domestic airlines.  These no frills airways like 1 time, kulula, Comair, and Mango, have great prices. But don’t forget to check the South African Airways website as well. They are fighting back with specials. As noted above there are airline search engines that can help you compare fares to Johannesburg from a number of airlines & airline ticket consolidators at once. Use them!