Flying from Colombo to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Planning your holiday begins with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Colombo. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the city's main airport, so explore your options for reserving a flight from Colombo to Johannesburg taking off from here.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the primary arrival point in Johannesburg.
Leave enough time to catch your Colombo to Johannesburg flight. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're travelling during a bank holiday or other peak period, give yourself more time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Johannesburg
Booking early is often the key to finding a cheap Colombo to Johannesburg flight. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more you'll likely pay.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Colombo to Johannesburg across 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 Colombo to Johannesburg by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Colombo to Johannesburg flights.
Flying from Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Colombo to Johannesburg flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Bandaranaike International Airport. Take a pause at one of these airports:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 27 kilometres from central Colombo, CMB can be reached in about 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Colombo to Johannesburg? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near Bandaranaike International Airport:
When it comes to Bandaranaike International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 75.71% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
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 need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Colombo to Johannesburg. Reserve 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 popular outlets you can book with here.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle from O.R. Tambo International Airport about three weeks before your travel date.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Once your flight from Colombo to Johannesburg has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 50 minutes by car. Central Johannesburg is approximately 32 kilometres from Lanseria International Airport (HLA).
First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire and Firefly powered by Hertz make picking up a Lanseria International Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Securing your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at HLA can help you lock in a better rate.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
July is the most popular month for flights from Colombo to Johannesburg. To steer clear of the crowds, head to Johannesburg in February.
Book a Colombo to Johannesburg ticket departing in January if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Johannesburg to range from 15ºC to 30ºC.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Colombo to Johannesburg in July when temperatures average between 4ºC and 20ºC.
More about Johannesburg
After booking your flight from Colombo to Johannesburg, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Johannesburg:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Constitution Hill, Maboneng Precinct and Johannesburg Zoo are essential stops on your Johannesburg itinerary.
Explore more of South Africa
You've done Johannesburg, now it's time to explore other corners of South Africa. Journey about 18 kilometres west to Soweto to check off its top attractions. From Mjebha Park to Tutu House - Soweto tours and Go Green Go Clean, your itinerary will be busy.
If you want to check out another corner of South Africa, consider Pretoria, about 56 kilometres north of Johannesburg. 32 Battalion Tree of Honour, Wonderpark and Viscount Memorial Wall are key highlights.
