Travelling from Nairobi to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Start your holiday planning by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL) are the main airports in Nairobi.
Disembark at Johannesburg's chief entry point, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Around 4 hours 15 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Nairobi to Johannesburg flight.
Johannesburg is one hour behind Nairobi and is in the UTC+2 timezone.
The busiest route for flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg is from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Choose from 33 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from NBO to JNB is the 02:15 Airlink (South Africa) service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last departure is at 21:20 with Kenya Airways.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Nairobi to Johannesburg flight.
During popular months such as July, it's best to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg
Lock in cheap Nairobi to Johannesburg flights by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time frame for landing a bargain.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Nairobi to Johannesburg. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
There's no need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you the moment a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Nairobi to Johannesburg flights.
Flying from Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Take off from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) on a nonstop flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg. From NBO, you can fly directly to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Kenya Airways is a popular carrier that offers direct Nairobi to Johannesburg plane tickets leaving from NBO.
We make it a breeze to find a Nairobi to Johannesburg flight with a stopover. To see your options departing from Jomo Kenyatta International 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:
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN)
RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE)
Located around 11 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi, NBO can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, data shows 67.1% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg takes about 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 21 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near JNB:
Grab an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car and explore Johannesburg and beyond with your own wheels. Carwiz, Alamo and Green Motion are top providers to choose from here.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from O.R. Tambo International Airport around three weeks ahead of your departure.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
After your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in around 50 minutes by car. Central Johannesburg is approximately 32 kilometres from Lanseria International Airport (HLA).
First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire and Firefly powered by Hertz make picking up a Lanseria International Airport rental car simple. These trusted companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Score the best price by securing your ride from HLA four weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
July is the most popular month for flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg. To travel when it's less crowded, go to Johannesburg in February.
Before locking in your Nairobi to Johannesburg tickets, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. January is the warmest month in Johannesburg, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC (59ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Nairobi to Johannesburg in July if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC (39ºF) and 20ºC (68ºF) on average.
More about Johannesburg
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Johannesburg right here. Browse these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Constitution Hill, Maboneng Precinct and Johannesburg Zoo are essential stops on your Johannesburg itinerary.
Explore more of South Africa
Soweto is just one of the many cities in South Africa waiting to be explored after you've seen Johannesburg. Around 18 kilometres to the west, popular attractions include Mjebha Park, Tutu House - Soweto tours and Go Green Go Clean.
Pretoria is another favourite destination in South Africa and is around 56 kilometres north of Johannesburg. No trip is complete without experiencing 32 Battalion Tree of Honour, Wonderpark and Viscount Memorial Wall.