Travelling from Los Angeles to Johannesburg: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Los Angeles. Check out your options leaving from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY) when searching for a flight from Los Angeles to Johannesburg.
Come in for landing at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), the major arrival point in Johannesburg.
The timezone in Johannesburg is UTC+2, which is nine hours ahead of Los Angeles.
To ensure you don't miss your Los Angeles to Johannesburg flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
If you're flying during a popular month like July, get to the airport even earlier. You'll want to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. Expect lines to be longer during peak periods like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Johannesburg
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap Los Angeles to Johannesburg flights if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird deals.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price in every month when searching for your plane ticket from Los Angeles to Johannesburg.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Los Angeles to Johannesburg couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when a better deal is available.
Find a cheap Los Angeles to Johannesburg flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even tour another city. When browsing Los Angeles to Johannesburg flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
LAX is around 19 kilometres from central Los Angeles. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 55 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Los Angeles to Johannesburg? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to Los Angeles International Airport:
Los Angeles International Airport has a strong on-time performance, reducing your chances of a delayed flight. Departures from LAX land on schedule 81.05% of the time.
The address for LAX is One World Way.
Arriving in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg takes about 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 23 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Los Angeles to Johannesburg. Reserve one of these accommodation options near JNB instead:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion and experience more of Johannesburg and beyond.
For the best deal, reserve your vehicle from O.R. Tambo International Airport about three weeks ahead of your Los Angeles to Johannesburg flight.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
The centre of Johannesburg is located around 32 kilometres from Lanseria International Airport (HLA). As soon as your flight from Los Angeles to Johannesburg has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 50 minutes.
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or cab lines. Pick up a Lanseria International Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare rates and availability from First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire and Firefly powered by Hertz.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Reserving your ride four weeks before your arrival at HLA will save you money.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
February is the quietest month for flights from Los Angeles to Johannesburg, while July is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to visit Johannesburg based on whether you like a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Los Angeles to Johannesburg ticket departing in January if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Johannesburg to range from 15ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Johannesburg in July if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC and 20ºC on average.
More about Johannesburg
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Johannesburg right here. Browse these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to Johannesburg:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Constitution Hill, Maboneng Precinct and Johannesburg Zoo are must-visits when exploring Johannesburg.
Explore more of South Africa
Johannesburg has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of South Africa waiting to be discovered. About 18 kilometres west of Johannesburg, a trip to Soweto will keep you on the go. Start with attractions like Mjebha Park, Tutu House - Soweto tours and Go Green Go Clean.
If you're looking to explore another major stop in South Africa, consider Pretoria, about 56 kilometres north of Johannesburg. 32 Battalion Tree of Honour, Wonderpark and Viscount Memorial Wall are among its highlights.
