Flying from Chicago to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Chicago is home to two main airports where you can kick off your travels. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Chicago to Johannesburg flying out of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway Airport (MDW).
Come in for landing at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB), the chief entry point to Johannesburg.
Johannesburg is eight hours ahead of Chicago and observes the UTC+2 timezone.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your Chicago to Johannesburg flight.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Johannesburg
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap Chicago to Johannesburg flights if you book early. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Chicago to Johannesburg is easy if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to see the best prices across the month and walk away with an incredible deal.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll tell you when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Chicago to Johannesburg.
Save on your Chicago to Johannesburg flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
We make it simple to find a Chicago to Johannesburg flight with a stopover. To see your options departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
New York Newark Airport (EWR)
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
After a hassle-free start to your holiday? Stay near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Chicago to Johannesburg or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 70% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Consider adding a stop at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL). It's a popular stopover on a Chicago to Johannesburg flight leaving Chicago Midway Airport. Use a longer layover to get out and explore, or take advantage of a short break to freshen up at the airport.
MDW is about 14 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes 25 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not book an extra night away? Consider checking in to one of these accommodation options near Chicago Midway Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg:
76% of flights out of Chicago Midway Airport make it to their destination as expected.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Johannesburg
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB)
The distance from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg is roughly 23 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 35 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Chicago to Johannesburg. Check in to one of these accommodation options near JNB instead:
Go where the road takes you with a Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion and find adventure across Johannesburg and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport around three weeks in advance can help you get the lowest rate.
Lanseria Airport (HLA)
The centre of Johannesburg is located around 32 kilometres from Lanseria Airport (HLA). After your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg has hit the runway and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 45 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour 15 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg, rest your head at a hotel near HLA. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
First - Car Rental, Tempest - Car Rental and Firefly powered by Hertz make picking up a Lanseria Airport rental car simple. These companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Snap up the best price by reserving your ride from HLA four weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.
Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport (QRA)
Hop off your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg and head for your hotel or start checking out the sights right away. The centre of Johannesburg is about 11 kilometres from Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport (QRA).
Set your GPS and take off toward your next destination with a Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport rental car. Whether you're searching for a nimble compact or a family van, you'll find your ideal set of wheels from Avis or Budget.
Booking a couple of weeks in advance of your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg is always a good idea. As well as better deals, you might find it easier to get the make and model you prefer at QRA.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
March is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg, while April is the most popular. Figure out the ideal time to go to Johannesburg based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Chicago to Johannesburg tickets, think about the type of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Johannesburg, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 30ºC.
July has average temperatures of between 3ºC and 20ºC. Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Johannesburg around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Johannesburg
Start your Johannesburg trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg, explore our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Apartheid Museum, Nelson Mandela Statue and Top of Africa are popular attractions which should feature on any good Johannesburg itinerary.
Explore more of South Africa
Johannesburg has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of South Africa waiting to be discovered. Around 21 kilometres west of Johannesburg, a trip to Soweto will keep you on the move. Start with leading sights like Soweto, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Mandela's House.
Pretoria is another essential stop in South Africa and is around 56 kilometres north of Johannesburg. No trip is complete without visiting Nelson Mandela Statue, Ditsong National Museum of Natural History and Idube Game Reserve.
