Africa’s big so to make things easy, we’ve selected the three major metropolises as arrival points. If there’s a direct flight, you’re in luck; more often than not you’re in for a long-haul and will need all sorts of tips to keep your sanity. It’ll all be worth it, though, when you step onto African soil in one of these three cities.
Note: All flight prices are approximates for economy class return tickets.
Flights to Cape Town, South Africa
Africa’s southernmost city is a bustling hub of art, spectacular scenery and gourmet cuisine. There’s plenty to do in what South Africans call ‘the Mother City’.
London to Cape Town
The British capital connects directly with Cape Town, meaning you’ll be flying almost the entire length of the globe! Unsurprisingly, these flights come at a premium, meaning budget travellers might need to endure a layover, too.
Flight time
An 11 hour, 45 minute flight is considered speedy for a direct flight into the coastal city.
Price
The direct flight from Heathrow costs about $1214 but an 18 hour flight with a layover will save you money at just $813.
New York to Cape Town
Flight time
The fastest flight from JFK airport takes 18 hours and 35 minutes, including a 1 hour and 35 minute layover in Johannesburg. Cheaper flights may take longer.
Price
Fast flights into Cape Town come in at around $2196 for return tickets. Cheaper, slower flights can be had for approximately $1533.
Hong Kong to Cape Town
Flight time
The fastest way to fly into Cape Town is with a direct flight to Johannesburg, a 1 hour and 50 minute layover and, finally, a connecting flight to South Africa’s southern city. All in all, that’s a 16 hour and 40 minute journey.
Price
That quick trip across the Indian Ocean will cost you, though. The price tag is a whopping $4758. It’s around $973 for a 19 hour, 30 minute flight with stops in Singapore and Johannesburg before touchdown in Cape Town.
Sydney to Cape Town
Flight time
First fly into Johannesburg with Qantas, wait an hour and 45 minutes, then take a South African Airways flight down to Cape Town: that’s a total journey of 18 hours.
Price
Unusually, in this case, the fastest flight can also be the cheapest flight: the price tag is about $1067 for a return ticket.
Singapore to Cape Town
Flight time
13 hours and 45 minutes onboard Singapore Airlines will bring you to beautiful Cape Town. There’s a brief connection of an hour at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo.
Price
$1192 will get you the speediest journey, while $892 buys you the cheapest return ticket (a 19 hour, 55 minute trip).
Flights within South Africa
You can book many cheap flights with Mango Airlines, Kalulu, FlySafair, Sa Airlink, and many other budget domestic arilines
Flights to Lagos, Nigeria
This port city exudes power and confidence. During the day, it’s all business but at night, the city keeps on shining with a thriving music scene. Rest well on the flight over; you’ll need all your energy for all this metropolis offers.
London to Lagos
Flight time
Lagos isn’t far away: just 6 hours and 35 minutes directly by plane.
Price
A direct flight is around $978; on the other hand, a budget-friendly $640 buys you a lengthy 16 hour and 13 minute journey to the Nigerian metropolis.
New York to Lagos
Flight time
10 hours and 55 minutes is a direct flight across the Atlantic into Lagos.
Price
The expected price tag is $1336. A 14 hour and 35 minute flight is more budget-friendly at $1093.
Hong Kong to Lagos
Flight time
A good flight time is 19 hours and 15 minutes. That’s with a 2 hour and 50 minute connection in Abu Dhabi.
Price
The quickest journey is also sometimes the cheapest: get this journey at about $709.
Sydney to Lagos
Flight time
25 hours and 10 minutes is the quickest journey time, including a layover in Abu Dhabi.
Price
That swift flight costs in the region of $1635, while the more affordable option sits at around $1339 with a total time of 30 hour and 40 minute.
Singapore to Lagos
Flight time
Ethiopian Airlines will bring you to Lagos in 17 hours and 25 minutes with a stopover in Addis Ababa.
Price
The $1111 you’re charged is the best deal in terms of time and cost.
Flights to Cairo, Egypt
There’s more to Cairo than the Pyramids of Giza. The capital’s contemporary scene includes great bazaar shopping, park restaurants and art galleries.
London to Cairo
Flight time
A flight from Heathrow lands directly in Cairo after just 4 hours and 40 minutes.
Price
The ideal direct flight is set at around $3088, while the perfect budget journey is $373 for 7 hours and 35 minutes.
New York to Cairo
Flight time
10 hours and 30 minutes is a direct flight into the Egyptian capital.
Price
$1067 is the approximate cost of a direct flight, while $961 will bag the cheaper option of a 14 hour and 55 minute flight.
Hong Kong to Cairo
Flight time
A flight with one layover in Guangzhou will take 13 hours and 45 minutes.
Price
The quicker flight works out to about $1080, while the cheaper alternative is a 15 hour flight at approximately $824.
Sydney to Cairo
Flight time
20 hours and 55 minutes is one of the best flight times between the two cities, including a 2 hour and 35 minute layover.
Price
The cost of a quick flight comes to about $2159, while the more affordable option is a 22 hour and 55 minute connection for $1342.
Singapore to Cairo
Flight time
An Emirates-Etihad flight will bring you to the ancient city in 12 hours and 43 minutes with a 1 hour and 20 minute connection in Dubai.
Price
$1339 buys you that ideal, quick connection, while $670 gets you to Cairo in 29 hours and 20 minutes, depending on the length of your Addis Ababa transfer.
These three African cities are top destinations for numerous reasons: history, scenery, art and unforgettable character. Don’t let the long flights to Africa put you off: good things take time.
