Travelling from Johannesburg to Nairobi: what you need to know
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is Johannesburg's main airport. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi leaving from here.
When landing in Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL) are the chief entry points.
The average length of a direct Johannesburg to Nairobi flight is 4 hours 5 minutes.
Nairobi's timezone is UTC+3, making Nairobi one hour ahead of Johannesburg.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 33 flights a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi is with Airlink (South Africa) at 20:30. Opt for the first JNB to NBO departure operated by Kenya Airways at 01:15 to make the most of your arrival in Nairobi.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your Johannesburg to Nairobi flight.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights when you fly during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Nairobi
At the moment, 170 € is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Nairobi. The cheapest price for a return flight is 262 €. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Lock in cheap Johannesburg to Nairobi flights by booking six months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for bagging a bargain.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Johannesburg to Nairobi is September. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Johannesburg to Nairobi.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Johannesburg to Nairobi flights.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi, you can depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Fly from JNB to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in one seamless trip.
Kenya Airways is a well-known airline that offers direct Johannesburg to Nairobi plane tickets from JNB.
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Johannesburg to Nairobi flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN)
RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE)
Kigali International Airport (KGL)
JNB is about 23 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your trip? Stay near O.R. Tambo International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are ideal:
77.1% of flights leaving from O.R. Tambo International Airport make it to their destination on time.
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is approximately 13 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 20 minutes.
Getting there on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Reserve a hotel near NBO if you have a late flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Auto-Union, Green Motion or Hertz and explore beyond Nairobi's main sights.
Get the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around three weeks before your trip.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
The centre of Nairobi is located around 2 kilometres from Wilson Airport (WIL). After your flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 15 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 45 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to WIL. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi:
Touch down, grab your Wilson Airport rental car, and set off without skipping a beat. Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car are top outlets you can book with here.
Generally speaking, the sooner you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Secure your ride from WIL as soon as you know your dates.
Best time to go to Nairobi
February is the quietest month for flights from Johannesburg to Nairobi, while July is the busiest. Work out the ideal time to visit Nairobi based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Nairobi is March, with temperatures ranging between 14ºC (57ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your Johannesburg to Nairobi ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Nairobi in July if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF) on average.
More about Nairobi
Once you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Nairobi:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are essential stops on your Nairobi itinerary.
Explore more of Kenya
You've visited Nairobi, now it's time to discover other parts of Kenya. Journey about 434 kilometres south-east to Mombasa to tick off its top sights. From Fort Jesus to Haller Park and Old Town of Mombasa, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Nakuru is another well-known destination in Kenya and is around 145 kilometres north-west of Nairobi. No journey is complete without dropping by ARTHUR GARDENS (WEDDING/EVENT GROUNDS), Upper Hill estate and Muhia's Conservation Forest.