Travelling from Chicago to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering the departure point for your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are Chicago's main airports.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is where you'll be landing in Johannesburg.
Johannesburg is seven hours ahead of Chicago and observes the UTC+2 timezone.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Chicago to Johannesburg flight.
Popular months like August or holiday periods such as spring break and Christmas will mean longer lines at check-in and security. If you're travelling then, play it safe and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of an international departure is a smart idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Johannesburg
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap Chicago to Johannesburg flight. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Chicago to Johannesburg is easier if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to see the best prices throughout the month and bag a fantastic deal.
Finding a cheap flight from Chicago to Johannesburg is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' Chicago to Johannesburg flights.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even explore another city. When browsing Chicago to Johannesburg flights departing from O'Hare International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
ORD is around 26 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 55 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Chicago to Johannesburg? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels near O'Hare International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of O'Hare International Airport, data shows 74.85% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Give yourself a moment to recharge during your Chicago to Johannesburg flight with a stopover. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a great option between Chicago Midway International Airport and Johannesburg.
MDW is about 14 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes 20 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg, stay in one of these hotels close to Chicago Midway International Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 77.88%. This figure highlights how often flights that depart from this airport arrive on schedule.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is approximately 23 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 30 minutes.
It typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you have a late flight from Chicago to Johannesburg, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near JNB:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion and explore beyond Johannesburg's main sights.
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle from O.R. Tambo International Airport around three weeks before your trip.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Lanseria International Airport (HLA) is about 32 kilometres from central Johannesburg. Once you've hopped off your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg, it takes approximately 50 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Lanseria International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire or Firefly powered by Hertz and set off in the blink of an eye.
Get first dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from HLA four weeks in advance often means more savings and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
July is the most popular month for flights from Chicago to Johannesburg. To skip the crowds, visit Johannesburg in February.
The warmest month in Johannesburg is January, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your Chicago to Johannesburg ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
July sees average temperatures of between 4ºC and 20ºC. Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Johannesburg around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Johannesburg
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Johannesburg right here. Browse these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Chicago to Johannesburg:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Constitution Hill, Maboneng Precinct and Johannesburg Zoo are essential stops on your Johannesburg itinerary.
Explore more of South Africa
Soweto is just one of the many places in South Africa waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Johannesburg. Around 18 kilometres to the west, its top attractions include Mjebha Park, Tutu House - Soweto tours and Go Green Go Clean.
Around 56 kilometres north of Johannesburg, Pretoria is another essential stop in South Africa. No visit is complete without checking out 32 Battalion Tree of Honour, Wonderpark and Viscount Memorial Wall.
