Booking an international flight can look deceptively simple. Enter your destination, compare a few prices and choose the cheapest ticket.
But the cheapest fare displayed in a search result is not always the cheapest or most practical journey.
A flight with two connections may cost less than a direct or one-stop option, but could add many hours to your journey. A low headline fare may exclude checked baggage. A flight arriving in the early hours of the morning could create additional transport or accommodation costs.
For South African travellers, particularly those departing from Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, choosing the right flight means looking beyond the advertised ticket price.
This guide explains what to consider before booking and planning an international trip from South Africa, including fare price, baggage, stopovers, connection times, departure and arrival times, airports, airlines and the total cost of the journey.
1. Start With Your Real Travel Requirements
Before comparing flights, decide what you actually need from the journey.
Ask yourself:
- Where are you travelling from?
- Where are you going?
- Are your dates fixed or flexible?
- How much luggage will you take?
- How many connections are you prepared to make?
- Do you need to arrive at a particular time?
- Are you travelling alone or with other people?
- Is the journey overnight?
- Are you prepared to use different airlines?
- Is the cheapest possible fare your priority, or is convenience more important?
These questions can dramatically change which flights make sense.
For example, a traveller with only hand luggage may find a low-cost fare attractive, while someone travelling for several weeks may need checked baggage and therefore should compare the total fare including baggage.
2. Compare the Total Journey Cost, Not Just the Ticket Price
The first price you see is only part of the calculation.
Consider:
Total trip cost = ticket + baggage + seat selection + airport transport + accommodation caused by the schedule + other unavoidable costs
For example, imagine two flights:
| Option | Ticket | Baggage | Connections | Other costs | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight A | R9,500 | Included | 1 | R300 | R9,800 |
| Flight B | R8,200 | R1,000 | 2 | R900 | R10,100 |
Flight B appears cheaper in the initial search but may actually cost more.
This does not mean the more expensive ticket is automatically the better choice. It simply means you should compare like with like.
When comparing flights, check whether the price includes:
- Checked baggage
- Cabin baggage
- Meals
- Seat selection
- Airport taxes
- Change fees
- Cancellation conditions
- Other mandatory charges
This is particularly important when comparing different airlines or fare classes.
3. Decide How Many Stops You Can Accept
One of the biggest differences between international flights is the number of connections.
You may find:
- Non-stop flights
- One-stop flights
- Two-stop flights
- Multiple-airline itineraries
- Self-transfer itineraries
A non-stop flight is usually the simplest option because there are fewer opportunities for delays or missed connections.
However, it may cost considerably more.
A one-stop flight can provide a useful balance between price and journey time. Two-stop flights can sometimes produce significant savings, but the additional complexity needs to be considered.
Ask yourself what the saving is worth
If one itinerary saves R1,500 but adds 12 hours to your journey and another airport transfer, you need to decide whether the saving justifies the inconvenience.
There is no universal answer.
A traveller who is very price-conscious may be happy with the longer journey. Someone travelling for a short holiday may prefer to spend more time at the destination rather than in airports.
4. Pay Close Attention to Connection Times
Connection time is one of the most important details to check.
A connection that is too short can be stressful. One that is excessively long can turn a relatively short journey into an exhausting trip.
A reasonable connection depends on the airport, itinerary and whether you need to go through security, immigration or collect and re-check luggage.
Be particularly careful with self-transfers.
If you purchase separate tickets, the airlines may not be responsible for getting you to your final destination if the first flight is delayed and you miss the second.
For example:
Ticket 1: Johannesburg → Istanbul
Ticket 2: Istanbul → another destination
This may look like a convenient combination when searching for flights, but if the tickets are separate, you need to understand the risks.
A longer buffer can be sensible when travelling on separate tickets.
5. Understand the Difference Between a Connection and a Self-Transfer
These terms are sometimes confused.
Airline-protected connection
Your entire journey is generally booked as one itinerary.
If the first flight is delayed and you miss the connecting flight, the airline or relevant booking provider may have obligations to assist with rebooking, depending on the fare and applicable conditions.
Self-transfer
You effectively create your own connection using separate bookings.
You may need to:
- Leave the aircraft.
- Collect your luggage.
- Clear immigration or customs where required.
- Travel to another terminal or airport.
- Check in again.
- Drop your baggage.
- Pass security again.
- Board the next flight.
This can save money, but it requires considerably more planning.
If you are considering a self-transfer, check the airport layout, visa/transit requirements, baggage arrangements and minimum practical connection time before booking.
6. Check the Departure and Arrival Times Carefully
A flight’s duration is only part of the story.
A flight arriving at 23:30 may look excellent on paper, but consider what happens afterwards.
You may need to pay for:
- Late-night transport
- Airport transfer
- A hotel near the airport
- Additional accommodation because public transport has stopped operating
Likewise, an extremely early departure may require travelling to the airport during the night.
When comparing flights, look at the door-to-door journey, rather than simply the time shown on the flight search website.
For example:
Flight A
- Departs Johannesburg: 21:00
- Arrives destination: 10:00
- One connection
Flight B
- Departs Johannesburg: 02:00
- Arrives destination: 14:00
- One connection
Flight B might be cheaper, but depending on your circumstances, the additional inconvenience of travelling to the airport during the night may make Flight A more attractive.
7. Look at the Airport as Well as the City
Some destinations have multiple airports.
The cheapest flight may not land at the airport that is most convenient for your accommodation.
Before booking, check:
- Airport location
- Distance from the city centre
- Public transport
- Airport transfer costs
- Transfer operating hours
- Taxi or rideshare availability
- Whether your accommodation offers airport transfers
A cheaper ticket can become considerably less attractive if the airport is far from where you are staying.
This is particularly important when comparing alternative airports in large cities.
8. Check the Baggage Allowance Before Paying
Baggage can make a substantial difference to the actual cost of an international flight.
Check exactly what your fare includes.
Look for:
- Personal item
- Cabin baggage
- Checked baggage
- Number of checked bags
- Weight allowance
- Oversize restrictions
- Sports equipment rules
- Additional baggage charges
Do not assume that every airline or fare includes the same baggage allowance.
If you are travelling for several weeks, calculate the cost of adding your expected baggage before deciding which flight is cheapest.
A flight that costs R700 less but requires an additional R1,200 in baggage fees is not actually the cheaper option.
9. Consider Whether You Need Seat Selection
Some airlines allow passengers to choose a seat for an additional charge.
If you are travelling alone, you may not care where you sit.
If you are travelling with a partner, children or another group, however, paying for seat selection may become more important.
Think about whether you actually need:
- Window seat
- Aisle seat
- Extra legroom
- Seats together
- Front-of-cabin seating
Do not automatically add every optional extra during the booking process.
Instead, consider each one individually.
Small charges can add up quickly.
10. Consider the Length of the Journey
A flight itinerary can look attractive because of its price while hiding a very long total travel time.
When comparing options, record:
Departure time → arrival time → total elapsed journey time
For example:
| Flight | Stops | Total journey |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | 15 hours |
| B | 1 | 19 hours |
| C | 2 | 28 hours |
If Flight C saves a significant amount of money, it may be worth considering.
But if the price difference is relatively small, you may prefer to spend less time travelling.
Long journeys can also mean:
- More fatigue
- More time in airports
- Greater exposure to delays
- More complicated connections
- More opportunity for baggage problems
11. Check the Airline and Aircraft Details
Price should not be the only factor when comparing airlines.
Look at:
- Baggage allowance
- Flight schedule
- Number of stops
- Aircraft type
- Seat configuration
- In-flight entertainment
- Meals
- Wi-Fi availability
- Frequent-flyer benefits
- Change and cancellation conditions
The aircraft can also make a difference on a long-haul journey.
For a short connection, you may not care much about the aircraft.
On a 10-hour or longer flight, however, cabin layout, seating and onboard facilities can have a greater impact on your experience.
12. Be Careful When Combining Different Airlines
Using different airlines can sometimes produce cheaper itineraries.
For example:
Airline A: Johannesburg → Middle East
Airline B: Middle East → Europe
This can work well when everything is booked as one protected itinerary.
It becomes more complicated when you purchase separate tickets.
If you are combining airlines yourself, check:
- Baggage arrangements
- Terminal changes
- Transit requirements
- Visa requirements
- Check-in deadlines
- Whether luggage can be checked through
- What happens if the first flight is delayed
The cheaper fare may not be worth the additional risk if the connection is tight.
13. Check Transit and Visa Requirements
Do not assume that you can automatically transit through every country simply because you are not planning to leave the airport.
Transit rules can depend on:
- Your nationality
- Passport type
- Airport
- Length of transit
- Whether you leave the transit area
- Whether you need to collect baggage
- Whether you change airports
This is especially important when creating your own multi-airline itinerary.
A route that looks excellent on a flight search website may become impractical if you need additional travel documentation.
A couple of things South African travellers should check before booking an international trip.
14. Think About Travel Insurance
International travel involves costs that can be difficult to recover if something goes wrong.
Travel insurance can provide cover for certain situations depending on the policy, such as medical emergencies, cancellations, delays or lost baggage.
The important point is to understand the actual policy rather than assuming everything is covered.
Check:
- Medical cover
- Cancellation conditions
- Trip interruption
- Baggage cover
- Delayed baggage
- Flight delays
- Exclusions
- Excess amounts
- Pre-existing condition requirements where applicable
15. Compare Flexible Dates If Your Schedule Allows
One of the simplest ways to potentially find a lower airfare is to avoid treating your preferred date as fixed.
If you have flexibility, compare:
- The day before
- The day after
- Different departure times
- Different return dates
- Nearby airports
- Different connection options
Even a small change in your travel dates can sometimes produce a substantial difference in airfare.
However, always compare the whole trip, including additional accommodation or transport caused by changing the date.
16. Consider the Value of a Longer Stopover
A long stopover is not necessarily a disadvantage.
If you have a choice between:
Option A: 90-minute connection
Option B: 8-hour connection
Option A may be more convenient, but Option B may provide a more comfortable buffer against delays.
Some travellers deliberately choose longer stopovers and use the opportunity to explore the connecting city, provided they meet the relevant entry requirements.
If you do this, check whether you need a visa or other documentation before leaving the airport.
17. Don’t Ignore the Return Flight
When comparing international flights, consider the complete journey.
A cheap outbound flight can be paired with an expensive return flight.
Look at:
Outbound + return + baggage + extras
rather than focusing on the outbound fare alone.
This is particularly important when comparing different airlines or booking separate one-way tickets.
Sometimes two one-way tickets can be useful. Sometimes a return ticket is more convenient.
The correct choice depends on the destination, dates and available fares.
18. Use a Simple Flight Comparison Table
Before booking, create a basic comparison.
For example:
| Factor | Flight A | Flight B | Flight C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket price | R9,200 | R8,500 | R10,100 |
| Checked baggage | Included | Extra | Included |
| Stops | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Journey time | 16 hrs | 25 hrs | 14 hrs |
| Connection | 2 hrs | 5 hrs | 3 hrs |
| Arrival time | Afternoon | Evening | Morning |
| Airport | Main | Secondary | Main |
| Seat selection | Extra | Extra | Included |
| Overall convenience | Consider | Consider | Consider |
This makes it much easier to see what you are actually buying.
19. What Should Matter Most?
There is no single perfect flight for every traveller.
Instead, think about your priorities.
If your priority is the lowest possible price
Look at:
- Flexible dates
- One or two connections
- Different airports
- Different airlines
- Baggage costs
- Separate-ticket options
But check the additional risks and costs carefully.
If your priority is convenience
Look for:
- Fewer connections
- Reasonable connection times
- Convenient airports
- Suitable departure and arrival times
- Baggage included
- One protected itinerary
If your priority is a balance between price and convenience
A one-stop itinerary with a sensible connection and reasonable baggage allowance can sometimes provide a useful middle ground.
The important thing is to compare the complete journey rather than simply sorting search results by price.
20. A Practical Checklist Before You Click “Pay”
Before purchasing your international flight, check all of the following:
☐ Correct departure airport
☐ Correct destination airport
☐ Correct travel dates
☐ Passport details entered correctly
☐ Baggage allowance checked
☐ Total fare checked
☐ Seat-selection charges checked
☐ Number of stops checked
☐ Connection times checked
☐ Self-transfer identified
☐ Transit requirements checked
☐ Arrival time checked
☐ Airport transfer options considered
☐ Cancellation/change conditions checked
☐ Travel insurance considered
☐ Return flight checked
☐ Final price confirmed before payment
Taking a few extra minutes at this stage can prevent expensive mistakes later.
Final Thoughts
Choosing an international flight is about more than finding the lowest advertised fare.
For South African travellers, the best way to compare flights is to look at the complete journey: price, baggage, connections, travel time, airports, arrival times and additional costs.
A flight that costs slightly more may provide a much simpler journey, while a cheaper multi-stop itinerary could be worthwhile if you are flexible and prepared to spend longer travelling.
The key is to compare the options based on what matters to you rather than allowing the booking website’s default sorting order to make the decision.
Take the time to calculate the real cost, understand the itinerary and check the conditions before paying.
A few minutes of careful comparison can make a major difference to the quality and cost of your international trip.