Flying from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS): what you need to know
Begin your journey 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 East London Airport (ELS) departing from either of these.
Expect to be travelling for 1 hour 32 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from Johannesburg to East London Airport.
Johannesburg and East London (where East London Airport is located) share the UTC+2 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch when you land.
The busiest route is from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to East London Airport (ELS), with 52 direct services every week. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from JNB to ELS is the 06:20 Airlink option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 18:20 with Airlink.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Be at the airport on time to catch your flight from Johannesburg to ELS.
You can expect longer lines in popular months such as July and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Go straight to your destination from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Direct flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS) are available from here.
Well-known airlines that operate direct flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport leaving from JNB include:
JNB is around 29 kilometres from central Johannesburg. To help work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This useful traveller tool will give you the quickest route and your public transport options.
Catching an early flight from Johannesburg to East London Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by picking one of these stays close to O.R. Tambo International Airport:
About East London Airport (ELS)
Reserve a hotel near ELS if you have a late flight from Johannesburg to East London Airport. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Getting from East London Airport (ELS) to central East London
East London Airport is approximately 13 kilometres from central East London. With your own car rental or if you take a cab, the drive is around 19 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS)
Rs11,005 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to East London Airport. Return flights start from Rs22,013. Prices may vary depending on availability at the time of booking.
9 months is how far you'll want to book ahead to find cheap tickets from Johannesburg to ELS.
The cheapest month for tickets from Johannesburg to East London Airport is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the most affordable day to fly if you're flexible with your plans.
Finding a cheap ticket from Johannesburg to ELS is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has fallen.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport.
The best time to fly from Johannesburg to East London Airport (ELS)
February is the quietest time to travel to East London. Alternatively, join the crowds and take your trip in July. This is the busiest month for flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport, but the best time to go is your call.
Before booking a flight from Johannesburg to ELS, think about the type of weather you enjoy. February is the warmest month in East London, with temperatures ranging from 18ºC to 27ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport in July if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 11ºC and 22ºC on average.
More about East London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in East London right here. Check out these options once you've locked in your flight from Johannesburg to East London Airport:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. East London Museum, Eastern Beach and Nahoon Beach are must-do's during your East London adventure.
Complete your East London trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in East London and explore at your own pace. Easily compare prices from trusted rental companies in one place after booking your hotel and cheap flights from Johannesburg to East London Airport.
