Flying from Melbourne to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Planning your getaway begins with working out where you'll fly out of in Melbourne. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the city's main base, so explore your options for reserving 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 is in the UTC+2 timezone.
Allow plenty of time to get on your Melbourne to Johannesburg flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You can expect bigger queues during popular months such as January. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
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)
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your Melbourne to Johannesburg flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular options:
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, MEL can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 40 minutes.
In search of a handy hotel close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure lounge:
Of the flights that depart from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 67.71% arrive on time at their destination.
Arriving in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is approximately 23 kilometres from the centre of Johannesburg. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 30 minutes.
Getting there by public transport will take you around 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg. Stay at one of these accommodation options near JNB instead:
Grab an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car and explore Johannesburg and beyond with your own wheels. Carwiz, Alamo and Green Motion are well-known companies you can book with here.
Secure the lowest price by booking your ride from O.R. Tambo International Airport about three weeks before your travel date.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Lanseria International Airport (HLA) is about 32 kilometres from central Johannesburg. Following your flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg, it'll take you approximately 50 minutes to get to 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. Grab your wheels from First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire or Firefly powered by Hertz and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Booking your ride from HLA four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
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
Start your Johannesburg trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Johannesburg, check out our range of accommodation options including:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Constitution Hill, Maboneng Precinct and Johannesburg Zoo are attractions you won't want to skip in 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.
