ELS

R974 Find Cheap Flights to East London – Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
R1 980
Typical prices: R1 834-R3 198
FlySafair
Sun 28/10Sun 4/11
JNB - ELS • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
R974
Typical prices: R857-R1 718
FlySafair
Fri 12/10
JNB - ELS • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with FlySafair, Airlink, and Cemair. Average duration is 1h 32m
FAQs
FAQs
Top airlines
Most flights • 49 per week
Best reviews • 8,4 score
Airline reviews
+1
Airline reviews
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 58% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 6 weeks in advance save around 6% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 27% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you enjoy your trip to East London!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to East London

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to East London

Tue, Oct 27 - Tue, Nov 3
FlySafair Logo
15:55 - 17:30JNB  Johannesburg OR Tambo-ELS East London
1h 35mdirect
FlySafair Logo
13:40 - 15:15ELS  East London-JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
1h 35mdirect
R1 980FlySafair
Wed, Oct 28 - Wed, Nov 4
FlySafair Logo
15:55 - 17:30JNB  Johannesburg OR Tambo-ELS East London
1h 35mdirect
FlySafair Logo
18:05 - 19:35ELS  East London-JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
1h 30mdirect
R1 980FlySafair
Sat, Nov 21 - Sat, Dec 5
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:05 - 13:40JNB  Johannesburg OR Tambo-ELS East London
1h 35mdirect
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:30 - 9:00ELS  East London-JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
1h 30mdirect
R2 418Multiple Airlines
Sun, Jan 3 - Mon, Jan 4
Airlink Logo
18:05 - 19:30JNB  Johannesburg OR Tambo-ELS East London
1h 25mdirect
Airlink Logo
12:35 - 14:05ELS  East London-JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
1h 30mdirect
R2 580Airlink
Sun, Jan 17 - Mon, Jan 25
Airlink Logo
10:30 - 12:00JNB  Johannesburg OR Tambo-ELS East London
1h 30mdirect
Airlink Logo
12:35 - 14:05ELS  East London-JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
1h 30mdirect
R2 645Airlink
Mon, Dec 21 - Fri, Jan 1
Multiple Airlines Logo
15:55 - 17:30JNB  Johannesburg OR Tambo-ELS East London
1h 35mdirect
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:30 - 9:00ELS  East London-JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
1h 30mdirect
R2 678Multiple Airlines
Sat, Oct 10 - Mon, Oct 12
Hahn Air Systems Logo
13:40 - 15:15JNB  Johannesburg OR Tambo-ELS East London
1h 35mdirect
Hahn Air Systems Logo
18:05 - 19:35ELS  East London-JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
1h 30mdirect
R4 641Hahn Air Systems
Sat, Sep 26 - Sat, Oct 3
Hahn Air Systems Logo
6:40 - 8:15CPT  Cape Town Intl-ELS East London
1h 35mdirect
Hahn Air Systems Logo
8:50 - 10:30ELS  East London-CPT Cape Town Intl
1h 40mdirect
R5 648Hahn Air Systems
Fri, Sep 25 - Mon, Sep 28
Cemair Logo
16:40 - 18:10JNB  Johannesburg OR Tambo-ELS East London
1h 30mdirect
Cemair Logo
7:50 - 9:00ELS  East London-JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
25h 10m1 stop Cape Town Intl
R6 800Cemair
Fri, Sep 25 - Mon, Sep 28
Cemair Logo
16:40 - 18:10JNB  Johannesburg OR Tambo-ELS East London
1h 30mdirect
Cemair Logo
7:50 - 9:00ELS  East London-JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
25h 10m1 stop Cape Town Intl
R6 930Cemair
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for South Africa to East London flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from South Africa to East London with more confidence.

What is the cheapest flight to East London?

Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to East London is the cheapest route at R1 980 return, found in the past 5 days on KAYAK. KAYAK data shows this is also the most popular route.

How much is a flight to East London?

A return flight to East London costs R2 366 on average, based on data over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Return fares from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport average R2 229, while Durban runs a bit higher at R2 529.

What is the cheapest day to fly to East London?

Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly to East London at R2 288 return on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Sunday is the most expensive at R2 661.

What is the cheapest month to fly to East London?

  • February is the cheapest month to fly to East London with an average price of R1 736 return.
  • April (R2 921) and June (R2 775) are the most expensive.
  • Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to East London?

Evening flights to East London are the cheapest at R2 207 return on average. Afternoon flights are the most expensive at R2 564.

What is a good deal for flights to East London?

Flights under R1 834 are considered a good deal. 25% of KAYAK users found return flights to East London at or below these prices, with the lowest fares from:

  • Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport R1 756
.

When are flights to East London the cheapest?

Flights to East London are cheapest 6 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 6% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for flights to East London

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

R974
Best time to beat the crowds (27% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 18% lower on average.
Flights from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to East London

When to book flights to East London

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to East London based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your questions about flights to East London, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • Which airlines operate direct flights to East London?

    There are several airlines with direct lights to East London. FlySafair is one of the most common choices, offering direct flights from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), Cape Town International (CPT), and King Shaka Airport (DUR) in Durban. These flights are some of the most affordable. Hahn Air Systems also offers direct flights from these three airports. Airlink is one of the most costly options and only has direct flights from OR Tambo in Johannesburg.

  • What are the benefits of Airlink flights to East London?

    Airlink is a premium, full-service airline operating out of South Africa. It's one of the few airlines that offer in-flight entertainment and meals on domestic flights. The airline also includes a generous baggage allowance of one cabin bag weighing 8 kg and one checked bag of 23 kg for domestic routes. Most other airlines have limited entertainment options and don't provide in-flight beverages or food.

  • What is the difference between the most popular and the most frequent airline at East London?

    FlySafair operates the most flights from South Africa to East London at 49 per week, and for this route FlySafair is also the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from South Africa to East London. The two are sometimes different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveller choice.

  • How long are direct flights to East London from different departure cities?

    Direct flight time to East London varies depending on your departure city:

    • from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport: 1h 25m
    • from Durban: 1h 15m
    • from Cape Town: 1h 20m

  • Where can I fly from to get the cheapest fares to East London?

    Based on fares booked in the past 5 days, the cheapest flights to East London are from:
    • Johannesburg, from R1 980 return

  • How many flights serve East London?

    East London receives 9 flights per day and 66 per week from across the world. Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport has the most flights to East London with 43 weekly flights.

  • How do I know if a flight to East London is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to East London is around R1 834 return. This fare is in the lowest 25% of return flight prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

  • How expensive are last-minute flights to East London?

    Last-minute fares to East London – booked within 2 weeks of departure – run 1% above the average return fare of R2 366.

  • Which airlines should I consider for flights to East London?

Your guide to booking East London flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For the best chance at a low fare to East London, aim to book around 6 weeks before you fly. That window historically saves about 6% versus last-minute pricing based on KAYAK booking data over the last 12 months.
  • For flights to East London, recent KAYAK data shows that stronger deals tend to be around R1 834 return. If you see a fare below that threshold, it's a good deal – book before the price climbs back up.
  • If you can choose when to go, aim to travel to East London in February. Return fares historically average R1 736 that month – typically the cheapest month to travel based on the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond an ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to afternoon to save up to R357 per return. Afternoon flights to East London average R2 207 compared to R2 564 for midday flights. See the time-of-day chart above for the full breakdown.
  • Bag allowances vary by airline, fare type, cabin class, and route. On flights to East London, some airlines may include bags at no extra cost. For example, FlySafair includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, Cemair includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, and Airlink includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class. Always check the fare details before booking, since bag policies can change by ticket type.
  • East London Airport (ELS) has minimal public transport available. The most convenient way to get to the city centre is to arrange a private transfer through your hotel or catch a taxi from outside the main terminal building. The drive from the airport to the city is roughly 15 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic.
  • If you're jumping on a self-transfer flight to try and save money, consider your stopover time when booking tickets to ensure you have enough time to collect your luggage and check in again. There are certain flights with close to an hour stopover time, like flights from Johannesburg via Durban, which doesn't leave much time for collection and doesn't account for delays. Missing a connecting flight isn't covered by the airline on self-transfer flights.
  • If you're travelling with checked luggage, make sure your ticket includes a baggage allowance, as adding baggage to your ticket can be more expensive. FlySafair typically doesn't include checked luggage in the standard Economy ticket and only allows for one cabin bag. If you're booking with Hahn Air Systems, a checked bag of 23 kg is usually included in the price.

Reviews of the top 4 airlines flying to East London

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to East London? 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.
8,4
AirlinkOverall score based on 91 reviews
8,9Crew
8,3Comfort
8,1Food
6,4Entertainment
8,2Boarding
Airline reviews

Loved the in flight meal! Surprisingly good.! Staff on board were all friendly and professional! Book as far ahead as possible! Get your seat selection locked in ASAP

10,0 ExcellentGregory, Apr 2026
Read more Airlink reviews

Loved the in flight meal! Surprisingly good.! Staff on board were all friendly and professional! Book as far ahead as possible! Get your seat selection locked in ASAP

Far better than last return flight we had when the flight was delayed due to technical error and we missed our connection flight with no initial support from Airlink. This time thankfully all went well and will use again.

This was an excellent flight with great crew and a full complement service including a sandwich, a drink from the bar, tea, coffee or water with the meal and then a further bar service.

I can't understand how the priority boarding queue has so many people standing in it. I was travelling business class and arrived 40 minutes before boarding time and there we about 25 people in the queue ahead of me?

+ There was a great small meal even on the short flight + They gave our kids a magazine that kept them busy because there were no screens - We didn't get a boarding pass for our infant in arms for the connecting flight

Airlink is my preferred airline for travel in South and Southern Africa. Upington international airport is small so check in and security screening is a breeze. Boarding is easy and the flight was good. Took a while to get the luggage at OR Tambo airport but all in all a nice experience

this route is more expensive than you would expect. Boarding, disembarking was easy and fast. Cabin crew was friendly. Seats are small

Original flight was delayed due to technical issue. Very poor communication. The manager only appeared when we were climbing on board the plane.This resulted in us missing our follow on flight also with Airlink. No ticket issued from Skukuza and no assistance when we landed to address the issue. We had to make our own arrangements and go to their sales desk. Again they had no knowledge of the flight delay and of any passengers that had connecting flights. The lady (unfortunately with all the STRESS I have forgotten her name) at the counter was extremely helpful and is an excellent example of the type of employee Airlink need to promote and employ. Our luggage was in limbo due to all the missing information and assistance. We had to resort to buying extra tickets from South African Airways who were extremely helpful. I work at an airport so am familiar with its workings. I will infuture be looking for alternative flights.

Airline is the best airline experience I’ve ever had.

Easy boarding, smooth flight, friendly and helpful attendants. As with every other airline, there isn't enough leg room to be comfortable. Food was adequate.

Seat reclining, foot space; entertainment non-existent, but OK for sort flight! Staff super.

You get what you pay for. Uncomfortable seats, pay sky high prices for snacks, a passenger along side me was distressed and crying through most of the flight. I went to the tail of the plane to give to the distraught passenger. A stewardess approached me and I explained the situation. I was then charged R19 for a small bottle of water.!!!

A snack was advertised on my booking but when they came around I was told that is wrong. I wanted juice so I had to pay for it. I flew business class and was unable to book a business class seat on the website. Lucky there was still one available when I checked in at the airport.

I love FlySafair! PUNCTUALITY is what they do best, and thier schedule is so flexible, how they've structured Departure slots, one can decide to leave any time of the day. I am a coffee lover, I was astonished with their partnership with Boottleggers to allow us have specialty coffee on board, so wonderful.

Seats are very narrow. Boarding was delayed. The R85 voucher is insufficient for a wine and mixed nuts. Needs to be increased for "business class".

Our flight was canceled. The airline was apparently on strike.

Don’t waist money on priority. Changed the gates. Then let everyone through while priority row was twice as long. Got sooner to my seat jumping to the end of the line

Old planes and lack of attention to detail. Horrible experience.

Very good experience considering that is low cost company. Good value for money.

Great airline. Will use again. Keep up the great work though and maintain your customer retention. And please keep an eye on the bottom line and stay in business for decades to come and grow from strength to strength.

My wife’s checked luggage was missing her glasses,and some jewelry. The suitcase was inspected before boarding by your staff of thieves. So sad that your country suffers from so much domestic thievery. My wife is South African.

Your flight from CPT to JNB was delayed 3 times !!! Operational issues tells the customer, me , nothing!!! Issues really were bad weather; and mechanical failures due to poor sub- standard preventive maintenance. Blame the weather all you want, but a delay of 5 hours should be unacceptable to your management. The Cemair staff in JNB dropped the ball !!!!!! And the answer here in South Africa is a lack of CARING . Understand????

My original flight was cancelled and I was rebooked on a flight that departed 7 hours later. I was advised by Emirates (with whom my full itinerary was booked) that I was not able to cancel and change airlines. Needless to say, not happy.

Female pilot and co-pilot handle themselves very well. Professional.

Plettenberg Bay is a unique airport, so boarding with always have certain quirks. Cemair has zero regard for passengers, and their commitment to adhering to departure times. In two flights we had 3 flight changes, and a 1.5h delay. If you have any kind preceding or follow on plans, do not fly Cemair.

For now everything is good we want access to book direct to camair

send ourt booking confirmation numbers as soon as payment is done to simplify checkin

No A/C on the plane - and it was hot. Unmarked aircraft - looked sketchy.

Flight delayed with no explanation was only made aware lats min when already arrived at the air port

Efficient low cost operation.. Gets you from A to B, not much else.

I arrived at the airport and the flight did not exist

They find a way to Nickel and dime you in all creative ways. The boarding crew seems to have target collection amount. If you are flying internationally, avoid them at all costs.

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