Joburg to Cape Town Flights Now Cost Almost Double

If you have been planning a trip to Cape Town, you might want to sit down before checking flight prices.

Fares between Johannesburg and Cape Town have roughly doubled in recent weeks. What used to be a R700 to R1,100 one way ticket now costs over R1,700. Return flights that were R1,700 to R2,200 are now pushing past R3,600.

What Happened

Airlines including FlySafair and Airlink introduced temporary fuel surcharges in March 2026 after jet fuel prices spiked sharply.

FlySafair said the surcharge was necessary and would be clearly listed on every ticket for transparency. The carrier estimated the fuel price spike has added about R35,000 per flight hour to its operating costs on Boeing 737 aircraft.

The surcharge applies to all new bookings and covers flights departing until 12 May 2026.

Why Fuel Prices Jumped

The price surge has been linked to tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted oil supply routes and driven up jet fuel costs around the world.

Fuel typically makes up 25 to 30 percent of an airline's operating expenses. FlySafair says for its operations, that number is closer to 50 to 55 percent. So when fuel goes up, ticket prices follow fast.

What You Can Do

Book as early as possible. Fares vary depending on travel dates, so flexibility helps. And keep an eye on whether the surcharge gets extended past May or dropped if fuel prices settle.

For now, that quick weekend in Cape Town just got a lot more expensive.

The Bottom Line

This affects every Joburg resident who flies domestically. Whether it is a holiday, a work trip, or visiting family, the cost of getting between South Africa's two biggest cities has jumped significantly. Until fuel markets calm down, travellers will be paying a premium.