Flying from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport (RCB): What you need to know
Kick off your travels at one of Johannesburg's main airports, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) or Lanseria International Airport (HLA). Explore your options for booking a flight from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport (RCB) taking off from either of these.
1 hour 10 minutes is the average travel time for a direct Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport flight.
Johannesburg and Richards Bay (where Richards Bay Airport is located) share the UTC+2 timezone. That means you won't need to change your watch once you arrive.
With 12 direct weekly flights between the two airports, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Richards Bay Airport (RCB) is the busiest route. Airlink (South Africa) operates the earliest flight at 6:30am. If you'd like to make the most of your day before you fly, the last flight from JNB to RCB is with Airlink (South Africa) at 4pm.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Johannesburg to RCB. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid sprinting to your gate.
With more travellers during high season, it's smart to get to your terminal earlier than usual. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international trips will allow for extra wait times.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Get there in one go from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Nonstop flights from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport (RCB) operate from here.
You can travel on a direct flight from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport with Airlink (South Africa). This popular carrier operates departures from JNB.
Most passengers choose to fly with Airlink (South Africa) from JNB to RCB.
Airlink (South Africa) is the most punctual carrier. An exceptional 86.42% of its departures on this route arrive as planned.
JNB is around 29 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your break? Stay near O.R. Tambo International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
When it comes to the on-time performance of O.R. Tambo International Airport, 77.1% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Driving from central Johannesburg to HLA typically takes 50 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. The distance from the city centre to the airport is around 48 kilometres.
Get your holiday started early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Johannesburg to RCB flight, kick back in one of these hotels close to Lanseria International Airport:
About Richards Bay Airport (RCB)
If you have a late flight from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near RCB:
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport (RCB)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport is 47 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 97 €. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares could change.
Get cheap flights from Johannesburg to RCB by booking ten months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding a bargain.
The best month for finding cheap Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport tickets is March. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the lowest fares.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Johannesburg to RCB is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.
Filters make it easier to save some cash on your flight from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport. Choose the airlines, flight times and number of stops that line up with your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport (RCB)
August is the busiest month for flights from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport (RCB). Visit Richards Bay in January for a more low-key escape.
The warmest month in Richards Bay is February, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Book your Johannesburg to RCB plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport in July when temperatures are between 14ºC (57ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF).
More about Richards Bay
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Richards Bay right here. Explore these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Johannesburg to Richards Bay Airport:
Your trip to Richards Bay should come with a bit of sightseeing. Attractions you can't miss include Thulasihleka Pan Bird Sanctuary, Pelican Island and Ngoya Park.
Explore more of South Africa
Durban is just one of the many places in South Africa waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Richards Bay. Around 161 kilometres away to the south-west, popular attractions include Durban Beach, Ushaka marine and Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Pietermaritzburg is another must-experience destination in South Africa and is around 193 kilometres south-west of Richards Bay. No journey is complete without experiencing Sri Siva Soobramoiniar And Marriamen Temples, KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.