Flying from Johannesburg to Nairobi: what you need to know
Johannesburg's main base, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB), is where countless awesome holidays begin. Explore your departure choices from here for your flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi.
Touch down in Nairobi at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) or Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL).
Around 4 hours 5 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Johannesburg to Nairobi flight.
The timezone in Nairobi is UTC+3, which is one hour ahead of Johannesburg.
With 28 weekly flights between the two airports, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi with Kenya Airways at 01:15. If you prefer to make the most of your day before leaving, the last flight from JNB to NBO is with Airlink (South Africa) at 20:30.
To ensure you catch your Johannesburg to Nairobi flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Flying over a peak time like April? Major public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Nairobi
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Nairobi is 164 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 300 €. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Score cheap Johannesburg to Nairobi flights by booking four months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Johannesburg to Nairobi is September. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the lowest fares.
Finding a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Johannesburg to Nairobi flights.
Flying from Johannesburg
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi, you can depart from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB). Fly from JNB to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) without making any stops.
Look out for promotions with Kenya Airways. This airline offers direct Johannesburg to Nairobi plane tickets out of JNB.
We make it easy to find a Johannesburg to Nairobi flight with a stopover. To see all the options leaving from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Lusaka Airport (LUN)
Harare Airport (HRE)
Kigali Airport (KGL)
Located around 23 kilometres from central Johannesburg, JNB can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 35 minutes.
Have an early flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels near Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport:
75% of flights departing from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport arrive at their destination on time.
Arriving in Nairobi
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO)
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) is approximately 13 kilometres from central Nairobi. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 30 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 5 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near NBO:
Grab a Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport rental car and discover Nairobi and beyond with your own set of wheels. Auto-Union, Green Motion and Hertz are top outlets to choose from here.
To secure the lowest price, book your ride from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport around three weeks ahead of your Johannesburg to Nairobi flight.
Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL)
Once your flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi has landed, you can get to the city centre in around 20 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is roughly 3 kilometres from Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL).
The journey will take approximately 35 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi, kick back at a hotel near WIL. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Pick up a Nairobi Wilson Airport rental car and make your journey as spontaneous as you want. You can select from top rental outlets like Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car.
Usually, the sooner you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Reserve your ride from WIL as soon as you know your dates.
Best time to go to Nairobi
It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi. August is the busiest month to travel to Nairobi. If you prefer a more peaceful vibe, go in March.
Lock in a Johannesburg to Nairobi ticket departing in February if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Nairobi to range from 13ºC (55ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Nairobi in July if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF) on average.
More about Nairobi
Start your Nairobi trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi, explore our range of hotels including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nursery, Giraffe manor and Mara Conservancy are must-visits when exploring Nairobi.
Explore more of Kenya
You've visited Nairobi, now it's time to explore more of Kenya. Journey about 434 kilometres southeast to Mombasa to check off its popular sights. From Mombasa Marine Park & Reserve to Fort Jesus Museum and Mombasa Beach, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 137 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, Nakuru is another essential stop in Kenya. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Nakuru and Rhino Point.