Flights · 🇿🇦 Johannesburg → 🇿🇼 Harare · August 2026
Cheap flights Johannesburg to Harare
Johannesburg to Harare is the busiest air corridor between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Daily frequencies on SAA, Airlink and FastJet; 1h 50m scheduled flight time. Live prices in ZAR below.
Distance
1,100 km
Flight time
1h 50m
Stops
0
Typical fare
R3,500–R8,500
01The route
Johannesburg to Harare — the practical guide
Johannesburg to Harare is the most-flown corridor between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Three airlines fly it daily — SAA, Airlink and FastJet — with 1h 50m scheduled flight times and 6–8 daily frequencies combined. SAA and Airlink share the route via codeshare; FastJet is the budget option. In August 2026, book 2–6 weeks ahead for the cheapest fares; same-week bookings can still come in reasonable.
02Airlines & fares
Who flies it, what they charge
| Airline | Routing | Typical fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| South African Airways | Direct JNB–HRE | R4,500–R7,500 | Codeshare with Airlink. Bags included. |
| Airlink | Direct JNB–HRE | R4,200–R7,000 | Daily, multiple frequencies. Most reliable. |
| FastJet | Direct JNB–HRE | R3,500–R6,500 | Cheapest. Bags extra. Same scheduled time. |
| Kenya Airways (via NBO) | Via Nairobi | R6,000–R10,000 | Only relevant for onward East Africa connections. |
FastJet is the cheapest one-way at R1,500–R2,500 — the catch is that bags are extra and routine fees stack up.
02BLive by airline
Cheapest right now, by airline
| Airline | Cheapest seen | Stops | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| FA | R1,446 | direct | 2026-08-30 |
| Kiwi.com | R3,385 | direct | — |
| Mytrip.com | R3,770 | direct | — |
| FN | R3,849 | direct | 2026-10-04 |
| City.Travel | R3,903 | direct | — |
03When to book
Cheapest months and lead time
Cheaper months are February–May and September–early November. Peak is December and South African school holiday windows (April–early May, late June–mid July, late September–mid October). Christmas fares can double; book by October.
03BBy month
Cheapest fare each month
Cheapest fare observed for each month on the Johannesburg — Harare corridor, aggregated from Travelpayouts cache. Use this to time your booking. Live prices for your specific dates are in the search above.
| Month | Cheapest | Airline | Stops | Best date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | R1,446 | FA | direct | 2026-08-30 |
| Sep 2026 | R1,514 | FA | direct | 2026-09-21 |
| Oct 2026 | R1,559 | FA | direct | 2026-10-06 |
| Nov 2026 | R4,211 | FN | direct | 2026-11-25 |
| Dec 2026 | R4,467 | FN | direct | 2026-12-10 |
04Layovers
Which hub to pick
- Direct on SAA / Airlink / FastJet — No layover. 1h 50m scheduled flight, 6–8 daily frequencies.
- Via Nairobi (Kenya Airways) — Only relevant if connecting onward — otherwise no reason to take an indirect routing.
05Practical
Baggage & visa on arrival
Baggage. SAA includes 1 × 23 kg checked. Airlink the same, with extras at R500–R900 each at booking. FastJet is the budget carrier — base fares exclude checked bags; budget R350–R700 per bag at booking, more at the airport.
Visa. South African passport holders do not need a visa for Zimbabwe for stays under 90 days. UK, US, Australian and Canadian connections through JNB will need a Zimbabwe visa on arrival at Harare (USD cash).
06FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much is a flight from Johannesburg to Harare?
R3,500 to R8,500 return depending on carrier and season. FastJet is usually cheapest at R3,500–R6,500; SAA and Airlink sit at R4,500–R7,500. Christmas fares can exceed R10,000.
Are there direct flights from Johannesburg to Harare?
Yes. SAA, Airlink and FastJet all fly direct Joburg to Harare, with 1h 50m scheduled flight time. Multiple daily frequencies on each.
How long is the flight from Johannesburg to Harare?
1 hour 50 minutes scheduled flight time. Including check-in, the full journey is around 4 hours.
Which is the cheapest airline Johannesburg to Harare?
FastJet is usually the cheapest, with one-way fares often under R2,000. SAA and Airlink come in higher but include more baggage and faster JNB connections.
How often do flights run Joburg to Harare?
Multiple times daily. Combined across SAA, Airlink and FastJet there are typically 6–8 daily frequencies in each direction, including early morning, midday and evening departures.
Can I fly to Harare from Joburg today?
Yes — same-day bookings are routine. Walk-up fares at OR Tambo are higher than online; budget R4,000–R6,000 one-way for a same-day booking.
What's the cheapest day to fly JNB to HRE?
Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually the cheapest; Sunday and Friday lift R500–R1,500 due to business and weekend travel demand.
Do I need a visa to fly from Joburg to Harare?
South African passport holders, no — visa-free for 90 days. Other nationalities need a Zimbabwe visa, issued on arrival at HRE for US$55 cash.
Sources & further reading
- Live price data: Travelpayouts, aggregating Skyscanner, Aviasales, WayAway and Kiwi.com.
- Fare ranges and route commentary are editorial, last reviewed 2026-08-20.
The Mutapa Times may earn a referral commission when readers book through the embedded search; this does not change the price you pay or which airlines we list.
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