Traveling from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport (LHR): What you need to know
Johannesburg's main base, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), is where plenty of awesome adventures begin. Explore your departure options from here for your flight from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
11 hours 15 minutes is the average journey time for a direct Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport flight.
London is two hours behind Johannesburg. London Heathrow Airport is located in London, which operates on the UTC+0 timezone.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most popular route. There are 21 direct flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, hop on the last flight with British Airways at 10:05pm. Choose the first JNB to LHR departure operated by Virgin Atlantic at 6:35pm if you want to get going earlier.
Your flight from Johannesburg to LHR won't wait if you're late, so show up at the airport on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're traveling internationally.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're traveling during high season, so allow some extra wiggle room. The recommendation for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is a convenient option for traveling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) take off from this terminal.
British Airways is a leading airline that operates direct flights from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport jetting out of JNB.
The majority of travelers choose to book seats with British Airways from JNB to LHR.
British Airways sets the standard for punctuality. An exceptional 81.67% of its services on this route complete the journey on schedule.
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Johannesburg to LHR. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Break the trip up (and maybe score a better deal) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
JNB is around 29 kilometers from central Johannesburg. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the center, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these hotels near O.R. Tambo International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of O.R. Tambo International Airport, 77.1% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Break up your flight from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport with a stop at Cape Town International Airport (CPT). A major stopover between Lanseria International Airport and LHR, it's the perfect opportunity to unwind before the next leg of your journey.
Depending on traffic, you can drive to HLA from the center of Johannesburg in about 50 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometers away.
Get a head start on your vacation with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Johannesburg to LHR flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Lanseria International Airport:
About London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport, few things top the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these options near LHR:
Follow your own route with a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and chase adventure across London and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle around one week ahead of your Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport flight.
Getting from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London
Central London is around 26 kilometers from London Heathrow Airport. Travel times by car rental or cab will vary depending on time of day and traffic conditions, so do some research ahead of time.
If you're traveling by public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport is $302. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $537. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
To snag cheap flights from Johannesburg to LHR, book your plane ticket 11 months before your departure date.
April is when you're most likely to find a bargain on a Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport ticket. If you need to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Johannesburg to LHR couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a price drop.
Find an affordable flight from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport by using filters. Choose your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Think about the kind of vacation you want when planning your trip dates. February is the quietest month to go to London. July is when most people book flights from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), which may be perfect if you're after more action.
The warmest month in London is July, with temperatures ranging between 11ºC (52ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Lock in your Johannesburg to LHR plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport in January when temperatures are between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF).
More about London
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in London right here. Check out these options after you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to London Heathrow Airport:
The British Museum and Westminster Abbey are just the start of the popular attractions to add to your London travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Big Ben.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
London will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of the United Kingdom you should also see. Around 153 kilometers north-west of London, a visit to Birmingham will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading sights like The Windsor Castle, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre.
If you're eager to discover another major stop in the United Kingdom, consider Bristol, about 145 kilometers west of London. Banksey, Banksy's You Don't Need Planning Permission to Build Castles in the Sky and Clifton Suspension Bridge are key reasons to visit.
