Intercape JNB to CPT from R580*

United States flights booked on this page qualify to earn exclusive SouthAfrica.TO flight discount vouchers. Simply email a writeup of your trip to cheapflights@southafrica.to and we'll send you vouchers - easy.

New York Stock Exchange

Click here to see USA visa requirements.

Once landing in the USA, compare Greyhound bus prices with internal USA flights, to find the cheapest travel prices.

Cheap Flights to the USA

The only direct flights between South Africa and the USA are from Johannesburg to New York (with South African Airways) and Johannesburg to Atlanta (with Delta), but flying the "wrong way" via the Middle-East is often cheapest (think Etihad, Qatar Airways and Emirates).

US Electronics Ban: The US announced that passengers travelling from selected airports will be prohibited from bringing most types of electronic devices - excluding smartphones - into the cabin for U.S. bound flights from the 25th of March 2017. Instead, passengers will have to check in their laptops, cameras, tablets, e-readers, portable DVD players, electronic gaming devices and travel printers or scanners

The ban includes passengers travelling from Cairo, Egypt; Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Istanbul, Turkey; Doha, Qatar; Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City; Casablanca, Morocco; Jeddah, Riyadh and Saudi Arabia. This affects passengers travelling on the following airlines: Emirates, Etihad and Qatar even from South Africa.

Emirates Airlines has come up with a solution that will allow their passengers less inconvenience. Passengers will be allowed to utilise their electronic devices until the last possible moment – after which they will be required to hand their laptops or tablets into the care of Emirates staff just before boarding the US-bound flight. The devices will be carefully packed into boxes, loaded into the aircraft hold, and returned to the customer at their US destination. There will not be any charge for this service. Other airlines haven’t yet found a solution.

Passengers travelling on Turkish Airways, Qatar, Emirates and Etihad to the US will be affected which is surprising considering the airport's safety record.

Travel tips: Don't stereotype - not all Americans are obese, uneducated, NASCAR & football watching, Budweiser drinking, gun-loving loudmouths.

Social norms vary across the United States. Here's some examples:

  • People in the south may start to greet you when they're still a couple of metres away from passing you, with a smile on their face.

  • In New York you're expected to keep moving - don't slow things on the sidewalk by interrupting the flow of people.

  • When driving in the Midwest and not seeing another vehicle for ages, it is expected that you should acknowledge a passing driver by raising your hand.

If you are stuck in any way do not hesitate to Ask for Help - our travel agents are itching to show you the best flight deal to the United States.

From Johannesburg
From Cape Town
From Durban
Visa Requirements
Attractions
When to Go

Forbidden Items:

  • A new law coming into effect in November 2015 forbids passengers travelling to the USA from travelling with electronic sigarettes and all other electronic smoking devices in their checked baggage. Passengers will be allowed to package such devices in their hand luggage.

Visa Requirements

At the time of writing, visa requirements for South African citizens to enter the United States included:

  • Passport (the validity period for which is automatically extended by 6 months, so even if it expires less than 6 months after getting back from the United States, will still be valid for flights to the US, as long as you haven't passed the expiry date).

  • Completed online application form (submit confirmation number)

  • Travel itinerary

  • Details of the last 5 trips to the USA

  • CV

  • Application fee (submit payment confirmation)

  • All appropriate documents

For the latest up to date requirements, contact the Embassy of the United States at 012-431-4000. Their physical address in South Africa is at 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria. Visit the consulate in Johannesburg at 1 Sandton Drive, Sandhurst or call 011-290-3000. The consulate in Cape Town is found at 2 Reddam Avenue, Westlake (021-702-7300) and in Durban at the Old Mutual Building, 303 West Street (031-305-7600) The consulates are closed on both South African and USA public holidays.

South African High Commission in the United Arab Emirates

Keep these contact details handy in case you lose your passport, or something happens in the United States requiring embassy assistance.

 

Johannesburg to USA

  • Flights from Johannesburg to New York John F Kennedy (JNB-JFK) are with South African Airways (direct), Emirates (via Dubai), Virgin Atlantic (via London), Egyptair (via Cairo), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Cathay PAcific (via Hong Kong), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Delta Air Lines (via Atlanta), British Airways (via London Heathrow), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Swiss (via Zurich), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) or El Al (via Tel Aviv).

  • Flights from Johannesburg to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (JNB-ATL) are with Delta Air Lines (direct), Qatar Airways/codeshare (via Doha & Chicago), BA (via London), Emirates (via Dubai), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air Namibia/Delta (via Accra), Air France (via Paris), Virgin (via London) or Lufthansa (via Frankfurt).

  • Flights from Johannesburg to Chicago O'Hare International Airport with (JNB-ORD) are with Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), British Airways (via London), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Delta Air Lines (via Atlanta), Air France (via Paris), Virgin Atlantic (via London), Swiss (via Zurich) or Lufthansa (via Frankfurt).

  • Flights from Johannesburg to Los Angeles International Airport (JNB-LAX) are with Virgin Atlantic (via London), Emirates (via Dubai), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Thai Airways (via Bangkok), BA (via London), Singapore Airlines (via SIN), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris), Delta Air Lines (via Atlanta) or Swiss (via Zurich).

  • Flights from Johannesburg to Miami International Airport (JNB-MIA) are with Qatar Airways/American Airlines (via Doha & Paris), Virgin Atlantic (via London), British Airways (via London), Air France (via Paris), SAA/American Airlines (via Sao Paulo), Swiss (via Zurich) or Lufthansa (via Frankfurt).

Cape Town to USA

  • Flights from Cape Town to New York John F Kennedy (CPT-JFK) are with Emirates (via Dubai), Virgin Atlantic (via London), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), British Airways (via London Heathrow), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris) or SAA (via Johannesburg).

  • Flights from Cape Town to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (CPT-ATL) are with Qatar Airways/codeshare (via Doha & Chicago), BA (via London), KLM (via Amsterdam), Air France (via Paris), SAA/Delta (via Johannesburg) or Virgin (via London).

  • Flights from Cape Town to Chicago O'Hare International Airport are with (CPT-ORD) with Qatar Airways (via Doha), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), British Airways (via London) or Virgin Atlantic (via London).

  • Flights from Cape Town to Los Angeles International Airport (CPT-LAX) are with Virgin Atlantic (via London), Emirates (via Dubai), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines (via SIN), BA (via London), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Air France (via Paris), Condor/Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) or Lufthansa (via Munich).

  • Flights from Cape Town to Miami International Airport (CPT-MIA) are with Qatar Airways/American Airlines (via Doha & Paris), British Airways (via London) or Emirates (via Dubai).

Durban to USA

  • Flights from Durban to New York John F Kennedy (DUR-JFK) are with Emirates (via Dubai) or SAA (via Johannesburg).

  • Flights from Durban to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (DUR-ATL) are with Emirates (via Dubai) or SAA/Delta (via Johannesburg).

  • Flights from Durban to Los Angeles International Airport (DUR-LAX) are with Emirates (via Dubai).

  • Flights from Durban to Miami International Airport (DUR-MIA) are with Emirates (via Dubai).

Currency

The currency used in the United States is the U.S. dollar.

Languages

English is the national language

Attractions

Places of interest in the United States include:

  • California is the home of the American movie industry in Los Angeles, a sunny, energetic, sprawling city (head to Venice Boardwalk for a true taste of the city’s flavour). Liberal San Francisco is a creative hotbed and home of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The surrounding Bay Area is a perfect place for coastal biking and bike tours. Mt Tamalpais State Park offers endless trails as well as great beaches and camping.

  • Florida’s dreamy beaches keep travelers coming back for more (the Panhandle has the clearest water and best sand). If you’re looking for more excitement head over to Key West and South Beach for the party scene or to the Orlando area for amusement parks. For a taste of Latin culture head to Miami. Head inland to explore Florida’s semi-tropical wilderness with its moody forest and all number of birds and beasts.

  • New England has rural charm in spades whether it’s the leafy college campuses, white country churches, colourful fishing boats, or splendid fall colours. It’s a perfect place for outdoor adventures such as mountain biking, swimming, skiing/snowboarding, and paddling. New England’s vibrant cultural scene is also a highlight whether you’re checking out the arts scene in Boston or listening to an indie band in Providence.

  • Southwest USA brings back memories of cowboys and western movies with its red rock terrain and huge horizons. The Great Canyon is one of the main draws in the region. Visit Las Vegas to hit up one of the many casinos, see a show, dine on top-notch food, and party until the sun comes up. Don’t miss multicultural New Mexico’s awe-inspiring landscapes or Utah’s many national parks which offer biking, hiking, and skiing galore.

Happenings

  • February 2014 : Etihad's increasing number of alliances have been getting plenty of newsflow, but now they're getting an even bigger competitive advantage. A US border post has opened in Abu Dhabi's Airport - the 15th outside the US, and the first one the United States has opened in the last 20 years. This gives Etihad a massive advantage over other airlines, as passengers will be able to pre-clear matters in Abu Dhabi and avoid long lines & hassles when they land in the United States. Other US pre-clearing facilities are in Ireland, Canada and the Caribbean.

  • from July 2014 taxes on business class flights is almost doubling, from USD2.50 to USD5.60 per segment. This increase is expected to fund USD12bn over the next decade.

When to Travel to USA

Summer, which runs from May to September, is typically the best time to visit most parts of America. That said, New York City and desert areas may be too warm for comfort. Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) can bring pleasant temperatures. This can vary—it may not warm up in the Rockies and Sierras until June while spring may be more like summer in Austin. The southern US and ski destinations are the best places to visit in winter.

USA’s Public Holidays

You may either want to time your visit to the United States to coincide with a public holiday and join in the fun, or avoid the date so as to avoid additional travel costs (and possible crowds):

  • 1 January

  • 4 July (Independence Day)

  • 11 November (Veterans Day)

  • 25 December

Floating Public Holidays:

  • Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

  • President’s Day

  • Good Friday

  • Easter

  • Memorial Day

  • Thanksgiving

  • Labor Day

  • Columbus Day

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