Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Johannesburg: what you need to know
The timezone in Johannesburg is UTC+2. The city is 9 hours ahead of San Francisco, where San Francisco International Airport is located.
Leave enough time to catch your flight from SFO to Johannesburg. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Popular months like August or high seasons such as Christmas and New Year will mean longer queues at check-in and security. Travelling then? Play it safe and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and up four hours ahead of an international flight is a smart move.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from SFO to Johannesburg. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing the departures. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
You can enter South Africa for tourism purposes without a visa if you hold a passport from United States. But before reserving your cheap tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg, make sure you have the most up-to-date information. Visa rules are subject to change, and you may need some travel documents if your trip is for work or other reasons.
SFO is around 21 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be approximately 47 minutes.
Booked an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to SFO:
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Johannesburg
Rs168,484 is the best price for a one-way ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg. Return flights start from Rs294,827. These fares can change depending on demand and availability.
It's usually best to book ahead of time if you're hoping to get cheap tickets from SFO to Johannesburg. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the date of departure.
Getting cheap tickets from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg is more likely if you can be flexible with your dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to show the lowest prices throughout the month and snap up a great deal.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for flight tickets from SFO to Johannesburg every day.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg. Enter your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg takes about 29 minutes by car. It's approximately 29 kilometres away.
Getting there by public transport takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg. Stay at one of these accommodation options near JNB instead:
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 51 minutes by car. Central Johannesburg is approximately 48 kilometres from Lanseria International Airport (HLA).
After your flight from SFO to Johannesburg, unwind at a hotel close to HLA. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Johannesburg
July is the most popular month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg. To skip the crowds, visit Johannesburg in February when it's quieter.
Book your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg for January to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 15ºC to 30ºC.
July sees average temperatures of between 4ºC and 20ºC. Search for cheap flights from SFO to Johannesburg sometime around then if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Johannesburg
Once you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Johannesburg:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. Constitution Hill, Maboneng Precinct and Johannesburg Zoo are top attractions which should feature on every Johannesburg itinerary.
Complete your Johannesburg trip with a car rental
Select one of our car rentals in Johannesburg and see the sights in your own time. Easily compare options in one place to find the perfect ride once you've booked your hotel and cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport to Johannesburg.
