South Africa Travel – All About Flights, Flyers & Their Fancies!!!

South Africa is one of the most popular destinations luring many including thousands of Britons to book tickets on flights to the country. It makes sense to get well acquainted with every facet of travel to ensure wrinkle-free South Africa holidays.

The Rainbow Nation, South Africa unfolds as one of the most entrancing corners in the African continent! The Land of Big Five ranks high on the popularity polls and the travel itineraries of thousands of holidaymakers from all over the world. A fair share of Britons also adds to the ever-increasing influx of visitors in the country, year on year. It is to vital to get well acquainted to each and every aspect of travel including popular carriers, popular airports, flight tips, entry requirements and other vital tips and advices before booking air tickets for holidays to South Africa, especially for the first-time visitors. Read on to know about some such tips.

Popular Carriers
There are several reputed carriers that offer tickets on direct/indirect flights arriving in South Africa from the key airports in the UK. Particularly from London Heathrow Airport, South African Airways makes for one of the best bets to net tickets on direct flights to the country. Some of the other carriers that offer tickets on direct/indirect flights to the country include British Airways, Qatar Airways, Egyptair, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad Airways and Emirates. Direct flights to the destination usually take between 10 and 11 hours to reach the destination airport from the London’s Heathrow Airport.

Popular Airports
South Africa features an array of futuristic international aerodromes. But the international airports located in major cities of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg remain the prominent gateways for maximum influx of foreigners buying tickets on flights bound for South Africa.

Based in South Africa’s City of Gold – Johannesburg, OR Tambo International Airport (IATA: JNB) is widely dubbed as South Africa’s most famous gateways to the world. The busiest airport in the country, this airport is fairly well connected to the UK and rest of the world by a host of full service carriers and low cost carriers.

Second largest and busiest in South Africa, Cape Town International Airport (IATA: CPT) is another popular gateway that tops the popularity charts amongst visitors who spend on tickets aboard flights to experience a slice of South Africa’s Mother City, Cape Town.

Another popular airport that constantly shows up on the travel itineraries of many visitors booking tickets on flights to the country is King Shaka International Airport (IATA: DUR). Named after the great 19th century Zulu warrior-king, the airport caters to thousands of visitors’ book tickets on flights to South Africa’s Surf City, Durban.

Entry Requirements
Britons planning South Africa holidays for less than 90 days do not require procuring a visa before-hand. Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s website states that the passport for Britons booking tickets on flights to South Africa must be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the last day of their intended visit. It is advisable to leave at least two blank pages in the passport for visa endorsements. One may seek extension of visa from the Department of Home Affairs.

Vital Flight Tips
 South African Airways is the flag carrier of South Africa and operates flights to destinations across the globe including the UK from its main hub at Johannesburg. Being a destination based airline, the airline is able to offer cheaper air tickets as compared to other carriers serving the UK-Johannesburg route.

 Johannesburg makes for one of the country’s preferred journey break city. Quite naturally, many airlines operate daily flights to this popular city in South Africa. The city also offers swift connection to country’s popular tourist destinations. Apart from Johannesburg, other popular cities such as Cape Town and Durban are also served by many international airlines.

 Tourists can also procure cheap air tickets offered by numerous regional airlines that join several regional destinations.

Tips to Net Cheap Flights
 Internet swarms with numerous comparison sites that offer multiple options for cheap flights arriving in South Africa. It is important to ensure researching the flight comparison sites well before booking your tickets. In fact, the country is a popular air travel route from the UK and airlines fall over each other to tempt flyers.

 The cost of air tickets for South Africa bound flights is likely to be on the steeper side during the months of January. Budget vacationers may plan their trips during the off-peak months of April/May or September/October to avail seasonal discounts on cheap flights and hotels.

 One of the best ways to ensure cheap air tickets to the country is by booking multi leg flights that connect at one or more stopovers enroute.

 It also makes sense to subscribe to email alerts. Most airlines serving the UK-South Africa route come up with special airfare deals from time to time.

 South Africa is one of the most popular destinations across the globe and tickets aboard flights to the nation sell as fast as greased lightening. It is smart to book well in advance.