Are direct flights from Chicago to Johannesburg always the best option?

Direct flights offer convenience by reducing travel time and avoiding layovers, but they are not always the most budget-friendly choice. Flights with one or more connections can sometimes be significantly cheaper. Consider your priorities for cost versus convenience when making your decision.

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Johannesburg flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can often lead to finding more affordable flight options. Prices can vary significantly between different days of the week or even within the same month. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may unlock better deals.

What extra costs should I check before booking Chicago to Johannesburg flights?

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines may charge for amenities that others include in the base fare. Be aware of these additional expenses to get a complete picture of your travel cost.

Flights From Chicago

To Johannesburg

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

Browse current best options from Chicago. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Chicago

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Prices updated today

405 airlines compared

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Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Jul 26, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Johannesburg

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Chicago to Johannesburg

Round trip

Sort by: Cheapest

September 17 - September 28

Cheapest

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,212

$1,033

Round trip

September 23 - September 27

Best

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,288

$1,034

Round trip

September 21 - September 27

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,254

$1,039

Round trip

September 14 - September 21

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,240

$1,039

Round trip

September 21 - September 28

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,255

$1,039

Round trip

September 19 - September 27

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,220

$1,042

Round trip

September 6 - September 21

Earliest

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,181

$1,065

Round trip

September 8 - September 25

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,173

$1,091

Round trip

September 27 - September 29

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,295

$1,098

Round trip

October 1 - October 6

ORD - Johannesburg

$1,295

$1,104

Round trip

Unlock all 500+ flight deals to Johannesburg and get alerts when great deals appear

Chicago to Johannesburg: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

For cheap flights from Chicago to Johannesburg, fares typically range from $2180–$3178, with a median of $2788. Right now, current fares are above the typical level, and there are currently no recent fares classified as a good price. New deals show up several times a week, so setting a price alert can be beneficial.

When considering the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg, April stands out as the most affordable month, with a median fare of $682. Following closely, January offers a median fare of $701. December also presents a relatively lower median fare of $781, making these three months the most economical options for this route.

A typical journey from Chicago to Johannesburg takes approximately 64h 44m, including connections. Most itineraries connect at least once, with the median number of stopovers for connecting flights being 2. There are currently no direct flights from Chicago to Johannesburg available in recent observations, meaning all itineraries involve at least one stop.

The distance between Chicago and Johannesburg is 14019 km, classifying this as a long-haul route. This significant distance means that all flights will involve substantial travel time and typically multiple connections.

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Johannesburg

Regular price: $1,098 - $1,610

Prices for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg is between $1098 and $1610. The current lowest deal is $1029 with Kenya Airways for travel from Sep 17-Sep 28.

now $1,029

Low $1,098

High $1,610

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg is April, with a median price of $682. The most expensive month is August, with a median price of $2828. Prices are generally lower from January to December.

April

Cheapest

Flights from $682

August

Most Expensive

Flights from $2,828

Jan

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Dec

Direct flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

Turkish Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines

Egyptair

Kenya Airways

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Johannesburg

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Ethiopian Airlines

$1,405

$1,525

One-way

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Ethiopian Airlines

$1,563

$2,348

One-way

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Ethiopian Airlines

$1,404

$3,243

One-way

Wed, Jul 15

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Ethiopian Airlines

$1,405

$1,477

One-way

Wed, Jul 15

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Ethiopian Airlines

$1,469

$3,243

One-way

Thu, Jul 16

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Ethiopian Airlines

$1,405

$1,387

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

7 nights

Dec 23 - Dec 30

$1,566 → $1,268

19%

4 nights

Sep 23 - Sep 27

$1,288 → $1,034

20%

17 nights

Dec 9 - Dec 26

$1,611 → $1,358

16%

6 nights

Sep 21 - Sep 27

$1,254 → $1,039

17%

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

Chicago - Johannesburg route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level.

Recent fares from Chicago to Johannesburg are above the typical level for this route.

📅 Best time to fly

April is historically the cheapest month to fly.

Historically, April is the cheapest month to fly, with a median price of $682.

⏱️ Flight duration

Flights are typically 64h 44m with 2+ stopovers.

Flights from Chicago to Johannesburg typically take 64h 44m, with 2 or more stopovers.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant on this route.

This route is dominated by connecting flights, with no direct options available historically.

🏆 Airline highlight

Kenya Airways offers a recent deal for $1029.

Kenya Airways recently offered a flight for $1029 from Chicago O'Hare to Johannesburg O. R. Tambo.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly for this route.

Deals for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg appear regularly, about every 30 days.

Chicago main airports to depart from

O Hare International (ORD)

Cheapest

O'Hare International Airport offers the cheapest flights from Chicago to Johannesburg.

📍 ~25 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$1026

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Chicago Midway International Airport is an alternative for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg.

📍 ~15 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$1421

Chicago Rockford International (RFD)

Chicago Rockford International Airport is another option for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg.

📍 ~120 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$2037

Johannesburg main airports to arrive at

O. R. Tambo International (JNB)

Cheapest

O. R. Tambo International is a primary gateway for flights arriving in Johannesburg from Chicago.

📍 ~20 km from city center (reachable by car, bus, or train)

💸 Flights from ~$1026

Lanseria International (HLA)

Lanseria International offers an alternative arrival option for flights to Johannesburg from Chicago.

📍 ~30 km from city center (reachable by car or bus)

💸 Flights from ~$1552

Airports nearby Johannesburg used as alternative

Durban International (DUR)

Cheapest

Durban International is a major international hub and a reliable backup for long-haul and domestic connectivity.

📍 ~500 km from Johannesburg (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$1,287

Maputo International (MPM)

Maputo International is a major international gateway for the region, but requires an international border crossing.

📍 ~440 km from Johannesburg (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$1,301

Sir Seretse Khama International (GBE)

Sir Seretse Khama International is a capital city airport and the closest international alternative, requiring a border crossing.

📍 ~280 km from Johannesburg (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$1,514

Kruger Mpumalanga International (MQP)

Kruger Mpumalanga International is a well-established regional airport with no international border crossing required.

📍 ~330 km from Johannesburg (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$1,424

Bloemfontein (BFN)

Bloemfontein is a stable domestic hub serving the central region of South Africa with straightforward domestic transit.

📍 ~390 km from Johannesburg (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$1,395

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Johannesburg

Discover luxury on the budget with premium cabin class on flights from Chicago to Johannesburg.

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Best Elite deals to Johannesburg

Exclusive daily First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy flight deals, refreshed every 24 hours.

From ORD

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Oct 08

Johannesburg, South Africa

92% AI deal score

$7,705

$5,069

Save $2,636

From ORD

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Sep 03

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$7,160

$5,069

Save $2,091

From ORD

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Nov 19

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,664

$5,069

Save $1,595

From ORD

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Aug 27

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,516

$5,087

Save $1,429

From ORD

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Jun 29

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$7,181

$5,218

Save $1,963

From ORD

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Jun 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

90% AI deal score

$7,416

$5,211

Save $2,205

From ORD

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Aug 29

Johannesburg, South Africa

90% AI deal score

$6,534

$5,237

Save $1,297

From ORD

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Nov 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

90% AI deal score

$6,638

$5,269

Save $1,369

From ORD

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Dec 02

Johannesburg, South Africa

90% AI deal score

$7,523

$5,658

Save $1,865

From ORD

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Dec 06

Johannesburg, South Africa

90% AI deal score

$7,547

$5,658

Save $1,889

From ORD

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Nov 10

Johannesburg, South Africa

89% AI deal score

$6,655

$5,393

Save $1,262

From ORD

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Jun 28

Johannesburg, South Africa

89% AI deal score

$7,408

$5,657

Save $1,751

From ORD

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Jun 27

Johannesburg, South Africa

89% AI deal score

$7,422

$5,657

Save $1,765

From ORD

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Jun 24

Johannesburg, South Africa

89% AI deal score

$7,448

$5,657

Save $1,791

From ORD

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Sep 10

Johannesburg, South Africa

89% AI deal score

$7,203

$5,819

Save $1,384

From ORD

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Nov 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

88% AI deal score

$6,667

$5,283

Save $1,384

From ORD

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Jun 27

Johannesburg, South Africa

88% AI deal score

$7,230

$5,657

Save $1,573

From ORD

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Jun 24

Johannesburg, South Africa

88% AI deal score

$7,327

$5,657

Save $1,670

From ORD

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Jun 30

Johannesburg, South Africa

88% AI deal score

$7,297

$5,657

Save $1,640

From ORD

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Jun 27

Johannesburg, South Africa

88% AI deal score

$7,230

$5,657

Save $1,573

From ORD

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Jun 27

Johannesburg, South Africa

88% AI deal score

$7,230

$5,657

Save $1,573

From ORD

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Aug 20

Johannesburg, South Africa

84% AI deal score

$6,613

$5,566

Save $1,047

From ORD

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Sep 24

Johannesburg, South Africa

84% AI deal score

$6,977

$5,818

Save $1,159

From ORD

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Sep 21

Johannesburg, South Africa

84% AI deal score

$6,894

$5,818

Save $1,076

From ORD

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Sep 21

Johannesburg, South Africa

84% AI deal score

$7,017

$5,818

Save $1,199

From ORD

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Oct 20

Johannesburg, South Africa

83% AI deal score

$7,458

$6,286

Save $1,172

From ORD

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Oct 01

Johannesburg, South Africa

83% AI deal score

$22,659

$19,387

Save $3,272

From ORD

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Aug 05

Johannesburg, South Africa

82% AI deal score

$6,524

$5,636

Save $888

From ORD

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Aug 05

Johannesburg, South Africa

82% AI deal score

$6,507

$5,636

Save $871

From ORD

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Jul 12

Johannesburg, South Africa

82% AI deal score

$6,665

$5,640

Save $1,025

From ORD

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Jul 03

Johannesburg, South Africa

82% AI deal score

$6,671

$5,657

Save $1,014

From ORD

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Aug 14

Johannesburg, South Africa

82% AI deal score

$6,688

$5,658

Save $1,030

From ORD

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Sep 14

Johannesburg, South Africa

82% AI deal score

$22,415

$19,132

Save $3,283

From ORD

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Oct 04

Johannesburg, South Africa

82% AI deal score

$22,706

$19,897

Save $2,809

From ORD

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Jul 14

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,587

$5,640

Save $947

From ORD

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Jul 14

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,658

$5,645

Save $1,013

From ORD

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Jul 02

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,649

$5,657

Save $992

From ORD

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Jul 31

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,649

$5,657

Save $992

From ORD

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Jul 31

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,643

$5,657

Save $986

From ORD

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Jul 10

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,670

$5,657

Save $1,013

From ORD

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Jul 19

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,649

$5,658

Save $991

From ORD

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Jul 27

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,653

$5,658

Save $995

From ORD

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Jul 27

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,659

$5,658

Save $1,001

From ORD

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Jul 26

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,649

$5,658

Save $991

From ORD

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Jul 16

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,649

$5,658

Save $991

From ORD

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Jul 13

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,658

$5,658

Save $1,000

From ORD

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Jul 26

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,653

$5,658

Save $995

From ORD

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Jul 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,649

$5,658

Save $991

From ORD

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Jul 30

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,610

$5,658

Save $952

From ORD

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Jul 30

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,650

$5,658

Save $992

From ORD

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Jul 30

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$6,643

$5,658

Save $985

From ORD

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Aug 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

81% AI deal score

$21,432

$19,110

Save $2,322

From ORD

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Nov 09

Johannesburg, South Africa

79% AI deal score

$6,681

$6,376

Save $305

From ORD

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Jun 21

Johannesburg, South Africa

79% AI deal score

$8,378

$7,736

Save $642

From ORD

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Sep 21

Johannesburg, South Africa

79% AI deal score

$23,312

$22,242

Save $1,070

From ORD

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Aug 10

Johannesburg, South Africa

77% AI deal score

$25,211

$24,983

Save $228

From ORD

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Oct 20

Johannesburg, South Africa

77% AI deal score

$3,389

From ORD

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Nov 10

Johannesburg, South Africa

77% AI deal score

$3,389

From ORD

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Nov 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

77% AI deal score

$3,389

From ORD

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Nov 15

Johannesburg, South Africa

77% AI deal score

$3,439

From ORD

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Oct 12

Johannesburg, South Africa

77% AI deal score

$3,585

From ORD

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Oct 12

Johannesburg, South Africa

77% AI deal score

$3,585

From ORD

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Oct 21

Johannesburg, South Africa

77% AI deal score

$3,585

From ORD

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Oct 20

Johannesburg, South Africa

77% AI deal score

$3,585

From ORD

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Nov 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

76% AI deal score

$3,081

From ORD

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Oct 27

Johannesburg, South Africa

76% AI deal score

$3,237

From ORD

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Nov 03

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$22,490

From ORD

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Nov 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,256

From ORD

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Nov 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,256

From ORD

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Nov 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,256

From ORD

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Nov 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,258

From ORD

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Nov 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,265

From ORD

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Nov 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,265

From ORD

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Nov 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,267

From ORD

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Oct 13

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,280

From ORD

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Dec 02

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,377

From ORD

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Dec 02

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,379

From ORD

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Dec 02

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,386

From ORD

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Dec 02

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,386

From ORD

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Oct 07

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,416

From ORD

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Oct 08

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,416

From ORD

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Dec 06

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,425

From ORD

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Nov 03

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,430

From ORD

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Sep 21

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,430

From ORD

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Dec 06

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,434

From ORD

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Dec 06

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,434

From ORD

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Oct 04

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,482

From ORD

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Oct 11

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,482

From ORD

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Aug 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,536

From ORD

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Sep 09

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,580

From ORD

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Aug 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,580

From ORD

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Aug 04

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,580

From ORD

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Aug 18

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,580

From ORD

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Oct 16

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,620

From ORD

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Oct 23

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,620

From ORD

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Oct 09

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,620

From ORD

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Sep 28

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,629

From ORD

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Aug 03

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,783

From ORD

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Aug 24

Johannesburg, South Africa

75% AI deal score

$3,783

From ORD

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Aug 22

Johannesburg, South Africa

74% AI deal score

$22,243

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Johannesburg

To find potentially cheaper flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices across different airlines and booking sites can also help you identify better deals. Sometimes, flying on weekdays or during off-peak seasons may offer more affordable options.

Booking flights in advance often provides more competitive prices, though the ideal booking window can vary. Prices may fluctuate, so monitoring fares over time can help you decide when to purchase. Generally, last-minute bookings can sometimes be more expensive.

Comparing nearby airports can sometimes reveal different flight options and potentially lower fares. While not always the case, expanding your search to include alternative departure or arrival points may offer more choices. Remember to factor in any additional transportation costs and time if you choose a different airport.

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