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Find cheap flights from Chicago to South Africa from R12 841

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Chicago to South Africa departing on 6/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
Sun 26/5
Sun 2/6

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Best South Africa Flight Deals

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Cape Town
Cape Town1 stopR18 336
Hoedspruit
Hoedspruit2 stopsR31 158
Polokwane
Polokwane2 stopsR29 059

Good to know

Low season

September

High season

December

Cheapest flight

R12 841
Best time to beat the crowds (9% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (23% more expensive on average)
Flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Cape Town

FAQs - booking South Africa flights

  • What can I do at the Chicago Airports?

    You can rehydrate at the airport showers at ORD, which are open to all passengers. At Gates D, in the passenger area, there is a Transit Hotel that is open around the clock. Further, there are numerous places where people can get employment. In addition, there are those at the Service Center's parking lot 2 and the Family Services facility at Gates E. On the other hand, at MDW, you can visit the yoga room in Concourse C airside and stretch out your muscles before your trip.

  • Do Chicago airports have USO lounges?

    Military personnel flying out through MDW can use the USO lounge located in Concourse C. On the other hand, if you are flying through ORD, you will find the lounges in Terminals 2 and 3. USO lounges allow the US military and their families to access their services at no extra cost.

  • Can I have access to limited mobility services at South African Airports?

    Passengers with limited mobility arriving at any South African airport can access accessibility services to ease their navigation within the airport. The airports are equipped with elevators, and you can also get extra assistance upon request. However, if you want to access these services, ensure that you contact your airline 48 hours before your travel date.

  • Which airline is ideal when flying from Chicago to South Africa?

    There are multiple airlines offering exceptional flight services along Chicago South Africa route. However, these airlines offer different onboard services at different rates. For instance, Emirates offers inflight assorted meals and sleeping blankets. So, your choice of airline when flying to South Africa from Chicago depends on your budget and preferences.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Chicago to South Africa?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Chicago to South Africa.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Chicago to South Africa?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to South Africa from Chicago is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Chicago to South Africa?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to South Africa with an airline and back to Chicago with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Chicago to South Africa?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to South Africa from Chicago up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to South Africa

  • Morning departure is around 4% more expensive than an evening flight, on average*.
  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is the primary airport serving Chicago. Therefore if you are flying from Chicago to South Africa, it is bound to be your departure airport. Alternatively, you can fly out through Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), which also serves international flights in Chicago.
  • You have many options if you are looking for a parking space at any of the Chicago airports. At ORD, you can park at the long-term parking lot, the Economy Parking Lot F, which is located on MMF floors 4 and 5. If you want to park short-term, you can use the parking lots in Terminal 5. On the other hand, MDW has long-term parking lots near the main terminal, while the short-term parking lots are located in Terminal garage levels 2 and 6.
  • The primary South African Airport which serves major international flights is Oliver Tambo International Airport (JNB). From Chicago to South Africa, you can also land at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and King Shaka International Airport (DUR).
  • When you land in any of the South African airports, it is possible to escape the commotion and clamor of the airport and take advantage of complimentary refreshments, snacks, and sitting in a more relaxed setting. There are many lounges at these airports; some are exclusive to particular airlines, and others are accessible to everyone.
  • When looking for a location to exercise after arriving in South Africa, you can make reservations at your arrival airport onsite hotel. Visitors are welcome to use the airport's onsite hotels' fitness and wellness facilities for their own delight.
See more tips
*Average of the lowest prices shown in KAYAK’s search results for departures within the next 30 days

Top 5 airlines serving from Chicago to South Africa

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Chicago to South Africa? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7,8
KLMOverall score based on 1626 reviews
7,6comfort
7,3food
7,8boarding
8,4crew
7,2entertainment
Airline reviews

The food from Lagos to Amsterdam was was very poor compared to AMS-YYZ

8,0 ExcellentJacob Oluleke, Apr 2024LOS - AMS
Read more about KLM reviews

The food from Lagos to Amsterdam was was very poor compared to AMS-YYZ

We left one hour late because of technical difficulties. The economy comfort seats are great for the price. The crew was mediocre, they do not provide a pleasant experience, they just deliver food and drinks and give orders, not very amicable, no service and hospitality focus.

no issues at all... Kudos to the food. This time was really really good

Overall a good experience. We were disappointed when we had to check our carry on due to the plane being full. KLM hadn’t notified us and we had valuable items in the carry on but they still made us check it. Some of the food was great and some was mediocre. Crew is really kind and funny.

Mostly fine. Minor delays departing and arriving. Quite a cramped plane, not so much as regards legroom but very narrow seats. Quiet nice food. Non-working USB charger. Flight attendants were helpful but not particularly proactive — one had to work to get their attention (but all was fine once they notice you), very Dutch style:)

The flight itself it was great nice food the crew were very nice and helpful, Checking in from Birmingham wasn't great long queues for bag dropped, And I had my hand luggage case taken away from me even though I requested to have it with me as I had breakables items. I was told I can not because of the length of the flight with no explanation at all no options was given for me to take my fragile items out of my case it was taken away with hold buggage I find the staff member who was checking me in very unpleasant !! Can we please be advise if the rules have changed about the the carry on hand luggage it will be easier to be advise on booking your tickect if we not allowed to take the hand luggage with me. Overall I had a good flight .

The plane was clean and the staff was friendly. Food and drinks as expected on international flights. The entertainment system was old style, with a pullout controller, and selections not as extensive as on other flights.

I requested wheel chair assistance , it was confirmed via email that inwoood get it but I didn’t get it . The last leg of my trip to Nigeria was the worst.

Amazing KLM service and brilliant economy comfort seats. Well worth the extra.

The boarding was one of the worst I’ve ever experienced. The fault lays on Ohare Airport and not so much the airline. The waiting area by the gate was the size to accommodate a regional flight for 20-30 people and right next to a busy walkway. When you cramped nearly 300 passengers into that space is was unbearable.

Nothing really was great as such. Seen other no name airlines perform better.

Quality of service on board was very inconsistent. FA service primarily seemed robotic and they barely engaged with passengers

I’m unclear why I had to pay extra for assigned seats as Turkish airlines did not honor the seating. We were placed across the aisle from each other on TK 34, and were seated behind one another on TK 694. Because my name was misspelled on e-ticket (Klawiter, instead of Klawitter) I could not log onto website to get the connection gate number in Istanbul. The monitors in the airport were a jumbled mess 1/2 Arabic and 1/2 English.

On line check in needs a lot of improvement. I tried and gave up.

Food not good, flight attendants not the best, not accommodating very ruff

the female flight attendant was racist towards me. I could tell she treated the two other passengers next to me with more softness.

Oh my god! For an13 hour flight they serve you food just one time. Also don’t be thirsty they give you a little small cup of soda to drink. They seem like their goal is to feed you one so they don’t have to be bothered with you. It quite surprise for such a long flight there are several times to eat at least three and the food was well lackluster. The food and lack of offering drinks which were always hot no ice provided.

We were traveling first class. Checkin counter lady and her manager, both were in bad mood and did not treat us well about checking in the handbag. The gate agent took care of it right away. I travel Turkish twice a year in first class. No one has ever refused to check in the hand bag. Not sure, why this agent and her manager refused. Everything else was excellent.

The 787 economy was a disaster for long haul. The space was too little compared to 777 or 747. Also the extremely low tray table behind the seat made any dining effort a nightmare. However, the movies were up to date, and the food taste was good, despite of terrible serving process caused by small space.

A little bit more comfort. It’s tight space around the seats. But all else is great and a smooth flight!

Nothing beats ANA customer service on my opinion. Maybe because of their Japanese culture (and food). Arigatō

delay several times and wait extra long to board. no entertainment service because there are problem for some rows. always encounter some delays for the last flight of the day.

Flight delayed for 2 hours due to a part. The plane sat waiting for boarding for a long time and during final preflight inspection the issue was found. Why not do the preflight inspection sooner if you know the plane is being used?

The flight experience was very good! Especially the United Club!

I was not able to buy food in the flight. They refer to include your Credit card in the APP, and if you are not from USA (i have a credit card form Canada) it is not possible

Aircraft has better leg room than any of United's larger planes. We had requested mobility assistance for this and related flights. United's response to all was superb.

The flight from Ottawa to Chicago took a lot longer due to DC in Ottawa. We got to Chicago and went to our gate to catch our flight. We only had nine minutes I found that very stressful.

Good boarding. Crew started quick with drinks and food. They came around several times for trash which I really liked. Other than turbulence due to storms in the area, flight was great.

my seat got changed twice after checking on then boarding it had been given to a family so by the time they found a seat for me no overhead storage left. i ended up losing my Sony Headphones case because i could even access underthe seat in front of my when deplaning.

All good, useful to have the united app from check in to boarding

The gate was changed at the very last moment and no one informed us. The flight was one hour late and the screen broken, the remote control not working. One toilet was out of order . the other toilets were also not totally functioning, because the washbasin was plugged and the water couldn't flow away.

The food could be better, the beef was quite tough. The crew were friendly and helpful on this flight, which has not being my experience on other Ethiopian flights.

The crew were extremely unfriendly. The plane was dirty and the entertainment system did not work, so they did not even give out earphones to anyone.

Seat in front of my wife was broken so it reclined further than normal and without having to push the recline button so my wife had absolutely no room the entire 17 hour flight. My seat was broken and wouldn't recline at all. Also.. my tray table was sticky and dirty right away before I even used it. Also...the floor in the back of the plane from our row of seats on back was totally soaked and both times we landed water came rushing out of the food/servant area like a flood onto the same already wet carpet. It got everything wet that was placed around our feet...including our shoes and socks.

Flight was smooth but unnecessary long because we had to refuel at FCO Rome. Air hostesses service and response to call light could be better. Both planes were old with broken seat arms and toilets. Why Africans had to be given the farthest Gates is what baffles me and why we have to pay for Aisle seats I found really strange. Is there ever an end to ripping people off even after paying over $2300 for one seat.

On my return flight the TV did not work the entire flight! They knew it wasn’t working but they let me sit there. The guy sitting nièce to me told me he was ok the previous flight and it wasn’t working. This is business class by the way!

The entertainment (movies) blockbuster and classics never change. I am a frequent Ethiopian flyer and this should be addressed. Not much changed from my summer flight and my December flight. It is annoying - surely you can update the selections more often. Same with food options. It becomes extremely boring to be offered the same exact meals from Washington to Addis to Maputo every trip, each time. AS

Entertainment was very poor. Couldn’t watch anything. Ear pieces were the wrong type .

Food was horrible. Our flight was not comfortable due to turbulence, seats was not comfortable, Very tight barely can not move anywhere.

The check in staff was amazing. Best customer service! The plane was old! My entertainment on the first flight didn't work at all, in my seat or in the seat next to me. The bathroom doors were old and troublesome. One of the bathrooms, the whole sink panel was broken. Everything felt old and falling apart. The airline stewardesses were amazing and quite hospitable. When there were delays, they kept us well informed. Transit was GREAT! I wasn't sure how I would make it to my next flight in 1 1/2 hours but the security lines were short and efficient. The C gates in Addis Ababa were CROWDED! That whole space downstairs was too crowded and challenging to manuever. I usually fly Ethiopian within Africa and was interested to see how the experience would be intercontinental. Overall, I would choose it again if it was cheaper than Delta/Air France or Lufthansa/KLM. I wouldn't make it a first choice if the prices were the same because the planes are so old! The food and entertainment also weren't as good. Good selection of movies but as I mentioned, on the first flight they didn't work at all (I slept so it was okay) and the 2nd flight it was glitchy. All in all, I didn't hate it but it would be a first choice only if it's cheaper.

Excellent! Great flight attendants, good food (in business class, at least), very comfortable. Touchscreen and remote wasn’t great.

In economy and food was ok, but with limited leg space (and I was in a 2 seat configuration) it was difficult to eat with a tiny seat tray. I spilt wine on my trousers. First time on British Air (I usually fly Turkish Air) and in a 777. Heathrow was pleasant but changing terminals awkward.

Starting with the flight Cairo to London the plain was so poor no entertainment at all uncomfortable seats although it’s 5 hours long,then an American airline plain took me from London to Miami it was a bad experience the crew most of flight time not available and they asked us to help our selves for any snacks if we need. From Miami to London actually was perfect flight with a huge plain and perfect crew but from London to Cairo was horrible plain with stiff fixed seats not movable no entertainment or wi fi very poor Menu which is unacceptable for a business class

I've done hundreds of flights in my life, and this flight was one of the best I've ever taken, From beginning to end, everything went smoothly, professionally, and with a smile and friendly attitude from all employees I interacted with. The food was delicious (and free), as were the drinks. There was just a genial and effective way in the way that British Airways organized the flight -that reminded of days in the 70's, 80's, and 90's, when flying was a fun, and exciting adventure. I enjoyed and had confidence in the abilities of the flight crew, I'll be flying British Airways several more times this summer. Thank you so much for the great experience! Cheryl Olso

My baggage did not arrived with me. Took 3 days to get it after so may calls and follow up

Terrible! I missed my flight to my final destination and British airlines and American Airlines keep pointing fingers on each other’s. Nobody wants to take responsibility

Terrible. Flight was 3 hours delayed and I missed my other flight to my final destination

The crew on board were all very pleasant and happy to help. The flight had the old business class seats. The departure board in the business lounge did not update and kept on saying ' gate open' but never said boarding. When I got nervous about the departure time and walked to the gate I was told off rudely for being late.

Overall, terrific service, accommodations, and experience. Only reason comfort was rated lower was because it was difficult to keep a comfortable sleeping position for the overnight flight, but I also had an economy seat.

Not sure if the crew were experiencing something unknown to me,but the service of passing water was non-existent.In addition,please take consideration when providing yogurt as alternative for breakfast as some of us, could be lactose intolerant.. thanks

Book cheap flights from Chicago to South Africa

Recent return flight deals

6/10Sun
1 stopEthiopian Air
26h 45mORD-JNB
23/10Wed
2 stopsEthiopian Air
24h 35mJNB-ORD
R14 520
14/10Mon
1 stopEthiopian Air
26h 45mORD-JNB
30/10Wed
2 stopsEthiopian Air
24h 55mJNB-ORD
R14 653
17/9Tue
1 stopTurkish Airlines
30h 45mORD-JNB
15/10Tue
1 stopTurkish Airlines
22h 35mJNB-ORD
R17 382
7/10Mon
1 stopBritish Airways
28h 00mORD-JNB
28/10Mon
1 stopBritish Airways
31h 00mJNB-ORD
R18 031
8/9Sun
1 stopTurkish Airlines
32h 20mORD-CPT
25/9Wed
1 stopTurkish Airlines
24h 05mCPT-ORD
R18 336
7/10Mon
1 stopBritish Airways
29h 10mORD-JNB
28/10Mon
2 stopsBritish Airways
28h 48mJNB-ORD
R18 756
13/5Mon
1 stopUnited Airlines
19h 50mORD-JNB
21/5Tue
2 stopsUnited Airlines
25h 34mJNB-ORD
R19 290
13/5Mon
2 stopsUnited Airlines
21h 22mORD-JNB
21/5Tue
2 stopsUnited Airlines
25h 34mJNB-ORD
R19 366
10/5Fri
1 stopKLM
22h 05mORD-CPT
24/5Fri
1 stopKLM
22h 00mCPT-ORD
R25 472
20/5Mon
1 stopKLM
21h 40mORD-CPT
5/6Wed
1 stopKLM
22h 00mCPT-ORD
R26 006

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Recent one-way flight deals

6/10Sun
2 stops
51h 26mORD-CPT
R12 841
10/10Thu
1 stopEthiopian Air
26h 45mORD-JNB
R13 967
16/10Wed
1 stopEthiopian Air
21h 15mORD-CPT
R14 081
6/10Sun
1 stopTurkish Airlines
32h 20mORD-CPT
R15 398
13/5Mon
2 stopsUnited Airlines
21h 22mORD-JNB
R16 008
10/10Thu
2 stopsUnited Airlines
38h 45mORD-JNB
R16 027
20/5Mon
1 stopBritish Airways
29h 00mORD-CPT
R17 687
17/6Mon
1 stopTurkish Airlines
31h 00mORD-JNB
R18 946
17/5Fri
1 stopKLM
22h 00mORD-JNB
R21 923
21/5Tue
2 stopsKLM
24h 05mMDW-JNB
R21 999

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Last minute flights from Chicago to South Africa

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

28/4Sun
multi-stopUnited Airlines
27h 15mORD-JNB
30/4Tue
multi-stopUnited Airlines
34h 36mJNB-ORD
R29 860
28/4Sun
multi-stopKLM
22h 00mORD-JNB
30/4Tue
multi-stopKLM
22h 30mJNB-ORD
R30 146
28/4Sun
multi-stopKLM
24h 05mORD-JNB
30/4Tue
multi-stopKLM
22h 30mJNB-ORD
R30 242
28/4Sun
multi-stopEthiopian Air
38h 55mORD-JNB
30/4Tue
multi-stopEthiopian Air
40h 30mJNB-ORD
R32 188
28/4Sun
multi-stop
32h 15mORD-JNB
30/4Tue
multi-stop
34h 50mJNB-ORD
R34 611
28/4Sun
multi-stopKenya Airways
25h 35mORD-JNB
29/4Mon
multi-stopKenya Airways
47h 40mJNB-ORD
R47 318

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Flights to South Africa

Return flight deals:

South Africa - Chicago

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