Best Flight Deals – How To Find Cheap Flights To South Africa & Worldwide in 2025

Travelling doesn’t need to break the bank. This guide goes beyond South Africa — here’s how to find the best flight deals anywhere in the world. Whether you’re planning your first trip to South Africa or hunting for affordable flights to Asia, South America, or Turkey, this post shows smarter ways to fly. You’ll learn the expert tools, flexible strategies, and insider tips that help you spot cheap flights, score hot flight deals, and save real money on airfare.

👉 Start with my South Africa Travel Guide for local planning and hop to the regional guides below for destination-specific tips.

Why South Africa & Beyond Is Easy to Explore on a Budget

Booking flights isn’t just about hitting “search” and hoping for the lowest fare — it’s about strategy. Knowing how to find the best flight deals can save you thousands, especially if you travel frequently or fly long distances. Airlines use dynamic pricing that can change by the minute.

Fares shift depending on:

• Season & school holidays
• Route demand
• Time of day
• Even the device you search from

Travellers who understand how flight pricing works consistently find cheaper tickets — whether it’s a quick hop from Johannesburg → Cape Town or a long-haul trip to Bangkok.

💡 Smart flight booking isn’t luck — it’s knowing where to search, when to book, and staying flexible.

Best Websites to Find Cheap Flights (Local + International)

There are proven ways to uncover great fares — even during peak seasons. Below are the most effective tools and strategies to find cheap flights and special promotions worldwide.

🔎 Top Flight Search Engines to Find the Cheapest Fares

Not all flight search engines show the same results. Platforms like Travelstart, CheapOair, Qatar Airways, and 12Go Flight Finder compare hundreds of airlines to help you score the lowest airfares. Using more than one tool can make a big difference — prices often vary significantly between platforms.

💡 Pro tip: If travelling through Asia, check 12Go for combos including flights + buses + trains — great for popular routes like Vietnam → Cambodia.

🗓️ Be Flexible with Dates and Airports

Changing your travel dates by even 1–2 days can reduce costs dramatically.
The same applies to airports:
Sometimes flying into Johannesburg instead of Cape Town (and connecting domestically) can save up to 30% on certain routes.

🌐 Compare Round-Trip, One-Way, and Multi-City Deals

Sometimes, a multi-city flight deal can cost less than a standard return ticket. Use this strategy when exploring several destinations — especially in South America or Asia.

Herewith examples:

• 🛫 Fly into Istanbul, then book a multi-stop route to Cambodia or Vietnam for a lower combined fare.
• ✨Book a flight to Johannesburg first, then grab a cheap domestic flight – check options on Travelstart.

🇿🇦 Flights to South Africa – How to Find the Best Deals

Affordable International Flights INTO South Africa

When flying to South Africa, compare fares into Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT) and Durban (DUR) — prices can vary significantly depending on your arrival airport. For example, booking a long-haul flight to Johannesburg (JNB) and then connecting on a short domestic flight to Cape Town (CPT)can often save 20–30% compared to flying direct into Cape Town.

Many of the best deals route through major hubs like Doha (Qatar Airways) or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) — both excellent connection points with competitive fares into South Africa’s major cities.

✨ Use reputable booking platforms such as Travelstart  or CheapOair to compare international airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Ethiopian Airlines and more. These platforms allow you to quickly compare flight deals, seasonal promotions and multi-city options.

• Travelstart (Cape Town-based) frequently offers local deals & specials
• CheapOair covers a wide range of global routes — ideal for flexible travellers

🔎 How to Find the Best Flight Deals Anywhere

🗓️ Be Flexible with Dates & Airports

• Airfares fluctuate daily — moving your trip forward or back by just 1–2 days can lead to major savings.
• Timing is everything: Book early for peak seasons; midweek flights often cheaper.
• Use rewards & miles: Loyalty points can cover significant costs.
• Avoid peak travel dates: School holidays, Christmas, and major festivals = higher fares.
• Set price alerts: Tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights notify you when fares drop.
• Travel light & smart: Low-cost carriers charge for extras — a cabin bag + personal item often saves hundreds.

💻 Use the Right Flight Search Tools

Recommended Flight Platforms

• Travelstart: A leading Cape-based OTA (est. 2010) offering fast price comparisons on flights worldwide
• CheapOair: Global online travel agency founded in 2005, specialising in affordable flights and last-minute deals.
• Qatar Airways: A national airline (est. 1993) based in Doha – consistently competitive long-haul pricing.
• 12Go.com: Thailand-based booking platform since 2019 – ideal for Asia low-cost + cross-border bus/flight combos.

Top Global Comparison Sites 

• Google Flights
• Skyscanner
• Momondo
• Priceline

💡 Tip: Always compare across multiple platforms — fares can vary dramatically.

🎟️ Try One-Way or Multi-City Flights

Round-trip flights are not always cheaper. Sometimes booking two one-way tickets — even with different airlines — can unlock better pricing.Multi-city ticketing (also called open-jaw routing) is especially valuable on longer itineraries.

For example:

• Fly into Istanbul
• Continue overland or by air to Vietnam / Cambodia
• Fly home from a different city

This can often cost less than purchasing standard return fares — while giving you more itinerary freedom.

🛫 Domestic Flights in South Africa

Domestic flights in South Africa are fast, reliable and surprisingly affordable — especially when booked early. Carriers like FlySafair, Lift, Airlink and CemAir connect all major cities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, George and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

Specials on Low-Cost Domestic Flights South Africa

South Africa Lift Airlines operates Airbus A320s between Cape Town ↔ Johannesburg and Cape Town ↔ George.
The airline is known for flexible fares with no change penalties — ideal for spontaneous travel.

✈️ Book Lift flights for affordable routes within South Africa.

Popular Domestic Routes

Some of the most travelled routes — often with multiple flights daily — include:

• Cape Town ↔ Johannesburg
• Johannesburg ↔ Durban
• Cape Town ↔ Durban
• Johannesburg ↔ George
• Johannesburg ↔ Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

Also compare alternate airports: Choosing a nearby airport (even with a short transfer) can dramatically reduce your total fare.

• In South Africa → Johannesburg (JNB) vs Lanseria (HLA)
• In the UK → London Heathrow (LHR) vs Gatwick (LGW)

👉 Planning your trip? Don’t miss my South Africa Travel Guide packed with itinerary ideas, scenic routes and top experiences.

🌏 Flights to Asia – Turkey, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand & Beyond

Asia remains one of the best-value regions for travellers. With dozens of budget airlines and frequent deals from South Africa, Europe, and the U.S., you can fly farther for less while exploring diverse cultures.

🇹🇭 Southeast Asia Flight Deals

Budget carriers like AirAsia, Scoot, and VietJet often run unbeatable early-booking deals. Connect from Johannesburg or Cape Town to hubs such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore, then take short regional hops to Cambodia or Vietnam.

🇰🇭 Cambodia on a Budget

To reach Siem Reap or Phnom Penh cheaply:

• Fly first to a major hub (e.g., Bangkok) – then hop to Siem Reap 🛕 or Phnom Penh via regional low-cost carriers.
• Many travellers combine Vietnam and Cambodia in one trip — overland or air connections are easy and affordable.
• 🚌 For bus and flight comparisons, check 12Go Asia – it covers cross-border routes too.

👉 Planning your trip? Don’t miss my Cambodia Travel Guides packed with tips, experiences, including budget itineraries.

🇻🇳 Vietnam Adventures

Routes to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang are often cheapest via Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur.
Plan your trip using budget carriers and regional flights to save money.

👉 Explore my Vietnam Travel Guides 🇻🇳 for itineraries, cultural insights, and must-see destinations.

🕌 Turkey Travel Guide

✨ Turkey is both a destination and a gateway. Airlines like Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines frequently offer multi-continent specials.

• Istanbul (IST) is one of the world’s busiest hubs; flying there often lowers costs for connecting journeys to Europe or Asia.
• Turkish Airlines runs regular seat sales, and Pegasus Airlines offers exceptional budget options.
• From Istanbul, you can easily continue to Greece, Italy, or Eastern Europe on low-cost carriers such as Ryanair or Wizz Air.
• Compare prices on Travelstart or CheapOair to find the best deals.

👉 Discover my Turkey Travel Guides 🇹🇷 — from Istanbul city secrets to cultural highlights, itineraries, and adventure tips.

Flights to South America – Brazil, Peru & Argentina 

From African coasts to the Andes, South America calls adventurous travellers. Flight deals frequently appear via European or Middle Eastern hubs, so comparing airlines is key.

🇧🇷 Brazil Flight Deals  

São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have the most frequent discounted seats. Book early and compare platforms for the best fares.

🇵🇪 Peru & 🇦🇷 Argentina Adventures

Look for competitive fares to Lima (Peru) and Buenos Aires (Argentina). Combine destinations with multi-city or open-jaw tickets — for example:
Cape Town → Madrid → Lima → Buenos Aires → Johannesburg.

This strategy often saves money compared to standard round-trips and gives flexibility for exploring multiple cities.

From Lima, continue to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley via domestic or regional flights. Buenos Aires often has promotional fares, especially during the southern-hemisphere winter (June–August).

👉 Explore my Peru Travel Guides 🇵🇪 — Machu Picchu adventures, local culture, budget itineraries, to the Jungle and must-see experiences.

🌏 Flights to Asia – Thailand, Cambodia, Turkey, Japan & Beyond

Asia remains one of the best-value regions for travellers. With dozens of budget airlines and frequent deals from South Africa, Europe, and the U.S., you can fly farther for less while exploring diverse cultures.

🚌 Bus & Flight Comparisons Across Asia  

For combined bus and flight options, check 12Go Asia. They cover cross-border routes like Vietnam → Cambodia, making it easy to plan multi-country adventures on a budget.

👉 Explore my Vietnam Adventure Travel Guides 🇻🇳 for itineraries, cultural tips, and budget travel ideas.

🇯🇵 Japan & Korea 

Long-haul deals frequently appear from Europe and the U.S. during spring and autumn shoulder seasons.

• Booking in these periods can reduce fares significantly.
• Combine budget carriers with mainline airlines to maximise savings.

👉 Check my Adventure Travel Guides for destination inspiration.

💡 Pro Tips for Getting the Lowest Flight Fares

1. Book Early (but Not Too Early)
   For international routes, the sweet spot is usually 2–4 months before departure; for domestic flights, 4–6 weeks.
2. Fly Midweek
   Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently offer the lowest fares.
3. Use Points & Miles
   Join airline loyalty programs, even if you fly only a few times a year. Points add up quickly through partner shopping or credit-card offers.
4. Avoid Peak Holidays
   Travelling just before or after major holidays can save 30–50%.
5. Check Alternative Routes
   Sometimes, two shorter flights with a stopover in a hub like Istanbul or Doha are cheaper than taking a direct route.

❓ FAQs – Finding Cheap Flights Anywhere

Where can I get cheap flights to South Africa?

Start with comparison sites such as Google Flights or Skyscanner. Be flexible with travel dates and consider flying into Johannesburg (JNB) instead of Cape Town (CPT) for better deals.

What’s the best site for booking cheap airline tickets?

Each site has its strengths:

• Google Flights – excellent for research and fare trends
• Priceline & Momondo – great for finding discounts
• Direct airline websites – often best for final bookings and promos

Are one-way flights cheaper than round-trip flights?

Not always, but they can be — especially on low-cost or multi-city itineraries. Always price both options.

How far in advance should I book international flights?

• International flights: 2–4 months ahead is ideal
• Domestic South African flights: About 1 month in advance usually works best

Which airlines offer the best international flight deals?

• Long-haul / global promotions: Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, KLM
• Budget-friendly regional hops: AirAsia, Pegasus, FlySafair

🧭 Final Thoughts

Scoring the best flight deals isn’t about luck — it’s about knowledge, timing, and flexibility. With the right tools and strategies, you can fly anywhere — from Cape Town to Cambodia, or Istanbul to Peru — for far less than most people think possible.

👉 Continue planning your journey with my destination guides:

Major International Airports in South Africa

• O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) — Johannesburg
• Cape Town International Airport (CPT) — Cape Town
• King Shaka International Airport (DUR) — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
• Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) — Bloemfontein
• Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) — Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth
• Upington International Airport (UTN) — Upington

Happy travels — and may every ticket you book take you closer to your next great adventure. 🌍💫