Cheap Flights to South Africa

Return flights from London to South Africa typically cost between £691 and £900 in August, though fares move with demand, season and how early you book. The lowest fare our search found recently was £603 — a great price and well below the usual range, so a price near this is worth grabbing. Keeping your dates flexible and comparing nearby days is the easiest way to land at the cheaper end.

The cheapest day to depart to South Africa is usually Thursday, when fares start from around £603 — midweek departures tend to be quieter and cheaper. Friday is typically the most expensive day to fly out (around £746), as weekend travel is popular with leisure and business travellers alike. Where your plans allow, moving your outbound to a cheaper weekday can noticeably lower the total fare.

Flights to South Africa are generally cheapest departing in the morning, with fares from around £603. Departures in the afternoon tend to cost more (about £719), as those slots are more convenient and in higher demand. Picking an off-peak departure time is a simple way to trim the price without changing your dates.

The cheapest return flights to South Africa depart from London Gatwick (LGW), from around £726. London has several airports serving this route and fares can vary between them — Stansted (STN) is often the priciest at around £810. It's worth checking which London airport is both cheapest and most convenient for you before booking.

Yes — for South Africa you can often save by taking a stopover: 1-stop fares start from around £603, compared with about £696 to fly direct. The trade-off is a longer total journey with a connection, so weigh the saving against the extra travel time. If budget matters more to you than speed, a 1-stop option is worth considering.