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

Direct flights offer convenience by minimizing travel time and avoiding layovers. However, they are not always the cheapest option. Flights with one or more stops can sometimes be significantly more affordable, depending on the route and airline.

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Johannesburg flights?

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

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 also charge for meals or entertainment. Understanding these additional expenses helps you compare the true total cost of your flight.

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

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Johannesburg

Prices updated 1 day ago

476 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Oct 12, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Johannesburg

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Chicago to Johannesburg

2026-11-09 – 2026-11-30
CHI - Johannesburg
80% AI deal score
$1,144
$1,035
Round trip
2026-12-08 – 2026-12-15
CHI - Johannesburg
87% AI deal score
$1,408
$1,160
Round trip
2026-10-26 – 2026-11-10
CHI - Johannesburg
77% AI deal score
$1,206
$1,222
Round trip
2026-11-05 – 2026-11-20
CHI - Johannesburg
76% AI deal score
$1,153
$1,223
Round trip
2026-11-22 – 2026-11-29
CHI - Johannesburg
74% AI deal score
$1,187
$1,226
Round trip
2026-11-03 – 2026-11-10
CHI - Johannesburg
76% AI deal score
$1,192
$1,243
Round trip
2026-11-09 – 2026-11-18
CHI - Johannesburg
76% AI deal score
$1,164
$1,244
Round trip
2026-11-09 – 2026-11-20
CHI - Johannesburg
76% AI deal score
$1,157
$1,244
Round trip
2026-10-26 – 2026-11-17
CHI - Johannesburg
76% AI deal score
$1,190
$1,244
Round trip
2026-11-02 – 2026-11-17
CHI - Johannesburg
76% AI deal score
$1,153
$1,244
Round trip

Chicago to Johannesburg: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

A typical journey from Chicago to Johannesburg takes about 34h 10m including connections. This reflects the reality of a long-haul route covering a significant distance, where connecting flights are the norm. Given that most itineraries connect at least once, this duration accounts for layovers and transfers, providing a realistic expectation for the total travel time.

For travelers seeking cheap flights from Chicago to Johannesburg, prices typically range from $2291–$3045, with a median of $2667. Right now, fares are below the typical level, indicating a potentially favorable time to consider booking. However, the share of recent fares classified as a good price is 0%, suggesting that finding exceptionally low prices can be challenging on this route.

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg is often in October, with a median fare of $1687. Following closely, September also offers more affordable options, with a median fare of $1809. Even December presents a median fare of $2699, which is still within the typical range for this route.

Most itineraries from Chicago to Johannesburg connect at least once, with 0% of recent fares being non-stop. For those flights that do connect, the typical number of stopovers is 2. This means travelers should anticipate at least two connections when planning their journey to Johannesburg from Chicago.

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Johannesburg

Regular price: $1,048 - $1,616

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

The regular price range for this route is $1048 to $1616. The current lowest deal is $1221 with Turkish Airlines, for travel from Nov 2-Nov 24.

now $1,221

Low $1,048

High $1,616

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

Flights from Chicago to Johannesburg are cheapest in October, with a median price of $1687. The most expensive month to fly is December, with a median price of $2776. Prices are generally lower from September to October.

October

Cheapest

Flights from $1,687

December

Most Expensive

Flights from $2,776

Sep

Oct

Dec

Direct flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

Turkish Airlines

Egyptair

Kenya Airways

Ethiopian Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Johannesburg

Thu, Oct 15

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

JetBlue Airways

$1,305

$1,356

One-way

Fri, Oct 16

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Egyptair

$1,385

$1,279

One-way

Tue, Oct 20

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Turkish Airlines

$1,335

$1,486

One-way

Sun, Oct 25

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Turkish Airlines

$1,405

$1,458

One-way

Thu, Oct 29

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Turkish Airlines

$1,213

$1,223

One-way

Thu, Oct 29

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

United Airlines

$1,341

$2,249

One-way

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

3 nights

Oct 26 - Oct 29

$1,323 → $1,243

3 nights

Oct 24 - Oct 27

$1,338 → $1,265

2 nights

Dec 8 - Dec 10

$1,456 → $1,444

4 nights

Dec 3 - Dec 7

$1,438 → $1,445

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

Chicago - Johannesburg route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares for Chicago to Johannesburg are below the typical level, with a median of $2667.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in October for the lowest prices

Historically, October is the cheapest month to fly, with a median price of $1687.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights average 34h 10m

Flights from Chicago to Johannesburg typically involve connections, with a median duration of 34h 10m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

This route is dominated by connecting flights, with no direct flights available in the last 90 days.

🏆 Airline highlight

Turkish Airlines offers the most deals

Turkish Airlines has 82 deals, making it a frequent option for this route.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are rare for this route

Deals for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg are rare, so book when you see a good price.

Chicago main airports to depart from

O Hare International (ORD)

Cheapest

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

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

💸 Flights from ~$1,070

Johannesburg main airports to arrive at

O. R. Tambo International (JNB)

Cheapest

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

📍 ~21 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$1,070

Airports nearby Johannesburg used as alternative

Durban International (DUR)

Cheapest

Durban International is a major international hub and the most reliable backup for connectivity.

📍 ~500 km from Johannesburg (approx. 5-6 hours by road)

💸 Flights from ~$1,333

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Johannesburg

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

Elite

Best Elite deals to Johannesburg

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

From ORD

Elite

Oct 10

Johannesburg, South Africa

93% AI deal score

$7,832

$4,299

Save $3,533

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Feb 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

92% AI deal score

$6,840

$4,557

Save $2,283

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Feb 03

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,574

$4,553

Save $2,021

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Feb 03

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,571

$4,555

Save $2,016

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Jan 23

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,532

$4,560

Save $1,972

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Feb 21

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,749

$4,560

Save $2,189

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Feb 19

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,754

$4,594

Save $2,160

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Feb 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,880

$4,677

Save $2,203

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Feb 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,790

$4,680

Save $2,110

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Feb 25

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,653

$4,680

Save $1,973

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Jan 23

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,674

$4,682

Save $1,992

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From ORD

Elite

Feb 21

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,746

$4,682

Save $2,064

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

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 in advance often provides more options and potentially better prices, especially for longer international routes. However, last-minute deals can sometimes appear. Monitoring price trends and setting up price alerts can help you decide the optimal booking time.

Comparing nearby airports at both your origin and destination can sometimes reveal different flight options and prices. While it may require additional travel to and from these airports, the potential savings on airfare can be significant. Always factor in the total cost and convenience.

Related routes

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Flights to Johannesburg from other cities

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Chicago to Johannesburg: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Johannesburg

Regular price: $1,048 - $1,616

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

The regular price range for this route is $1048 to $1616. The current lowest deal is $1221 with Turkish Airlines, for travel from Nov 2-Nov 24.

now $1,221

Low $1,048

High $1,616

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

October

Cheapest

Flights from $1,687

December

Most Expensive

Flights from $2,776

Sep

Oct

Dec

Direct flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

Turkish Airlines

Egyptair

Kenya Airways

Ethiopian Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Johannesburg

Thu, Oct 15

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

JetBlue Airways

$1,305

$1,356

One-way

Fri, Oct 16

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Egyptair

$1,385

$1,279

One-way

Tue, Oct 20

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Turkish Airlines

$1,335

$1,486

One-way

Sun, Oct 25

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Turkish Airlines

$1,405

$1,458

One-way

Thu, Oct 29

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Turkish Airlines

$1,213

$1,223

One-way

Thu, Oct 29

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Johannesburg

Chicago (ORD) - Johannesburg (JNB)

United Airlines

$1,341

$2,249

One-way

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

3 nights

Oct 26 - Oct 29

$1,323 → $1,243

3 nights

Oct 24 - Oct 27

$1,338 → $1,265

2 nights

Dec 8 - Dec 10

$1,456 → $1,444

4 nights

Dec 3 - Dec 7

$1,438 → $1,445

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

Chicago - Johannesburg route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares for Chicago to Johannesburg are below the typical level, with a median of $2667.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in October for the lowest prices

Historically, October is the cheapest month to fly, with a median price of $1687.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights average 34h 10m

Flights from Chicago to Johannesburg typically involve connections, with a median duration of 34h 10m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

This route is dominated by connecting flights, with no direct flights available in the last 90 days.

🏆 Airline highlight

Turkish Airlines offers the most deals

Turkish Airlines has 82 deals, making it a frequent option for this route.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are rare for this route

Deals for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg are rare, so book when you see a good price.

Chicago main airports to depart from

O Hare International (ORD)

Cheapest

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

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

💸 Flights from ~$1,070

Johannesburg main airports to arrive at

O. R. Tambo International (JNB)

Cheapest

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

📍 ~21 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$1,070

Airports nearby Johannesburg used as alternative

Durban International (DUR)

Cheapest

Durban International is a major international hub and the most reliable backup for connectivity.

Johannesburg, South Africa

91% AI deal score

$6,746

$4,682

Save $2,064

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Johannesburg

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Johannesburg

Chicago to Johannesburg: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Johannesburg

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

Direct flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Johannesburg

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

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

Chicago - Johannesburg route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Fly in October for the lowest prices

Connecting flights average 34h 10m

Connecting flights are dominant

Turkish Airlines offers the most deals

Deals are rare for this route

Chicago main airports to depart from

Johannesburg main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Johannesburg used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Johannesburg

Best Elite deals to Johannesburg

Oct 10

Feb 25

Feb 03

Feb 03

Jan 23

Feb 21

Feb 19

Feb 25

Feb 25

Feb 25

Jan 23

Feb 21

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Johannesburg

How can I find cheap flights from Chicago to Johannesburg?

When should I book flights from Chicago to Johannesburg?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg?

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

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Johannesburg flights?

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

Related routes

More routes from Chicago

Flights to Johannesburg from other cities

Chicago to Johannesburg: Overview

Insights for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Johannesburg

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

Direct flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Johannesburg

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

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg

Chicago - Johannesburg route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Fly in October for the lowest prices

Connecting flights average 34h 10m

Connecting flights are dominant

Turkish Airlines offers the most deals

Deals are rare for this route

Chicago main airports to depart from

Johannesburg main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Johannesburg used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Johannesburg

Best Elite deals to Johannesburg

Oct 10

Feb 25

Feb 03

Feb 03

Jan 23

Feb 21

Feb 19

Feb 25

Feb 25

Feb 25

Jan 23

Feb 21

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Johannesburg

How can I find cheap flights from Chicago to Johannesburg?

When should I book flights from Chicago to Johannesburg?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg?