Travelling from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Johannesburg: what you need to know
The timezone in Johannesburg is UTC+2. The city is eight hours ahead of San Jose, where Juan Santamaria International Airport is located.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to board your SJO to Johannesburg flight.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so allow a bit more breathing room. A good rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even tick a new city off your list. When browsing for flight tickets from SJO to Johannesburg, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
SJO is about 14 kilometres from central San Jose. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 2 hours 20 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Johannesburg? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to SJO:
Of the flights that depart from Juan Santamaria International Airport, 79.83% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Johannesburg
The best price we've found for a one-way Juan Santamaria International Airport to Johannesburg flight is Rs151,794. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs304,018. Bear in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from SJO to Johannesburg, book as early as possible. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when tickets are first released.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price across every month when looking for your Juan Santamaria International Airport to Johannesburg ticket.
There's no need to keep checking in to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from SJO to Johannesburg.
Find a cheap flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Johannesburg with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is around 29 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're opting for a ride-share or a cab, the drive takes about 30 minutes.
It'll take around 1 hour 10 minutes when travelling by public transport.
Look into staying at a hotel close to JNB if you're coming in on a late flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Johannesburg. Choose one of these accommodation options and make your arrival easier:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion and explore beyond Johannesburg's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the best rate by booking your vehicle from O.R. Tambo International Airport around three weeks ahead of your flight from SJO to Johannesburg.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
The centre of Johannesburg is located around 48 kilometres from Lanseria International Airport (HLA). After your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Johannesburg has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 50 minutes.
There are some great places to drop your things at near HLA. Unwind and get cosy after your SJO to Johannesburg flight at one of these well-located options:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Grab a Lanseria International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Check out the availability and rates from First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire and Firefly powered by Hertz.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Booking your ride from HLA four weeks in advance often means more savings and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
Carefully consider your travel dates before locking in your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Johannesburg. The city comes alive in peak season, but hotel rates are generally higher and attractions can get crowded. Plan your trip to Johannesburg in low season if you want a more relaxed vibe.
Before locking in your Juan Santamaria International Airport to Johannesburg flight ticket, think about the kind of weather you prefer. January is the warmest month in Johannesburg, with temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 30ºC.
July has average temperatures of between 4ºC and 20ºC. Search for a cheap ticket from SJO to Johannesburg around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Johannesburg
Start your Johannesburg trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Johannesburg, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Maboneng Precinct and Constitution Hill are just a couple of the leading attractions to put on your Johannesburg to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Johannesburg Zoo.
Explore more of South Africa
Johannesburg is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of South Africa you should also see. About 451 kilometres south-east of Johannesburg, a trip to Pietermaritzburg will keep your itinerary busy. Start with leading attractions like KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, Comrades Marathon House and The Old Prison.
If there's time to check out another great destination in South Africa, consider Bloemfontein, about 370 kilometres south-west of Johannesburg. Naval Hill Planetarium, Bloemfontein Zoo and Anglo Boer War Museum are highlights.
