Travelling from Melbourne to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is Melbourne's main airport. Explore your options for booking a flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg taking off from here.
Hop off the plane at Johannesburg's major arrival point, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Johannesburg is nine hours behind Melbourne and observes the UTC+2 timezone.
To ensure you catch your Melbourne to Johannesburg flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Travelling during a peak time like July? Public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Johannesburg
To pick up cheap Melbourne to Johannesburg flights, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when tickets first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Melbourne to Johannesburg throughout the month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Melbourne to Johannesburg by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' Melbourne to Johannesburg flights.
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
We make it a cinch to find a Melbourne to Johannesburg flight with a stopover. To see the options leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
MEL is about 19 kilometres from central Melbourne. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 40 minutes.
Have an early flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
Of all flights leaving Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 67.71% land on time at their destination.
Arriving in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
The distance from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg is roughly 21 kilometres. It'll take you about 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you have a late flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near JNB:
Follow your own route with an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion and find adventure across Johannesburg and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from O.R. Tambo International Airport about three weeks ahead can help you secure the lowest rate.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Lanseria International Airport (HLA) is roughly 32 kilometres from the centre of Johannesburg. Once you've disembarked your flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg, it'll take you approximately 50 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Lanseria International Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire or Firefly powered by Hertz and be off and running.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at HLA will help you save.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
February is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to Johannesburg, while July is the busiest. Figure out the best time to go to Johannesburg based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Johannesburg is January, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your Melbourne to Johannesburg ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg in July when temperatures average between 4ºC and 20ºC.
More about Johannesburg
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Johannesburg right here. Browse these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Constitution Hill, Maboneng Precinct and Johannesburg Zoo are must-visits when exploring Johannesburg.
Explore more of South Africa
Johannesburg has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of South Africa just waiting to be discovered. Around 18 kilometres west of Johannesburg, a trip to Soweto will keep you on the go. Don't miss top attractions like Mjebha Park, Tutu House - Soweto tours and Go Green Go Clean.
Pretoria is another standout destination in South Africa and is around 56 kilometres north of Johannesburg. No journey is complete without a visit to 32 Battalion Tree of Honour, Wonderpark and Viscount Memorial Wall.
