R10 847 Find cheap flights from San Francisco to South Africa

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San Francisco to South Africa departing on 28/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Best South Africa Flight Deals

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Cape Town
Cape Town1 stopR16 955
George
George2 stopsR43 676
East London
East London2 stopsR95 639
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg2 stopsR94 612
Upington
Upington2 stopsR127 441

Good to know

Low season

February

High season

December

Cheapest flight

R10 847
Best time to beat the crowds (12% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (27% more expensive on average)
Flight from San Francisco to Johannesburg

FAQs - booking South Africa flights

  • Is it a good idea to buy a ticket with an airport change during a layover?

    It depends. Some tickets from SFO to South Africa require you to change airports within a city during a layover or to collect your bags and check in again for the next leg of your flight. This can be time-consuming, and getting across town to another airport could get expensive. Before you book a ticket with a re-check-in or an airport change, make sure that the ticket leaves you enough time to do it and that all aspects of the change or the re-check-in are feasible.

  • What documentation do I need in order to fly to South Africa?

    US citizens flying to South Africa need a valid passport that is still valid at least 30 days beyond the date when you enter South Africa. This passport must have two consecutive empty pages per entry. You do not need a visa if you plan to leave South Africa in 90 days or fewer.

  • Does SFO have therapy dogs?

    Yes. When you are at SFO waiting for your flight to South Africa, you might encounter the Wag Brigade, therapy dogs roaming Departures with their trained handlers. SFO hopes these therapy dogs can delight, distract, and comfort passengers waiting to travel. The Wag Brigade includes several dogs, a pig, and a rabbit.

  • Does SFO have a hotel at the airport?

    Yes. If you would like to stay at the airport the night before your flight to South Africa, consider staying at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at SFO. Connected to all of the terminals by way of the free AirTrain, this upscale hotel offers free Wi-Fi, room service, a fitness center, a business center, and much more.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Francisco to South Africa?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from San Francisco to South Africa.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from San Francisco to South Africa?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to South Africa from San Francisco is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from San Francisco to South Africa?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to South Africa with an airline and back to San Francisco with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Francisco to South Africa?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to South Africa from San Francisco up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to South Africa

  • Morning departure is around 47% more expensive than an evening flight, on average*.
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a hub for Alaska Airlines. When you fly from the shores of the San Francisco Bay to South Africa, you will have many choices of destination city, airline, flight time, and price.
  • When you fly from SFO to Johannesburg, chances are you will be landing at the O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Turkish Airlines, Delta, and KLM are among the airlines that offer one-stop flights from San Francisco to Johannesburg. Some common layover cities include Istanbul, Atlanta, Amsterdam, and others. Alaska Airlines, Ethiopian Air, and United are among the carriers that offer two-stop flights from SFO to JNB.
  • If you want to fly from SFO to Cape Town at the southern tip of South Africa, you'll most likely be landing in the Cape Town International Airport (CPT). Turkish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and KLM are among the carriers that offer one-stop flights from SFO to CPT, with layovers in cities such as Istanbul, Zurich, and Amsterdam. KLM, Ethiopian Air, and Delta are among the airlines that offer two-stop flights from SFO to CPT.
  • If you want to fly to Durban on the east coast of South Africa, you will most likely be landing at the King Shaka International Airport (DUR). Qatar Airways, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines are among the many carriers that offer two-stop and three-stop flights from SFO to DUR., with stops in Istanbul, Johannesburg, Paris, and others.
  • If you are flying into the city of Pietermaritzburg, about an hour inland from Durban, you will most likely be landing at the Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB). You can find two-stop flights from SFO to PZB on airlines such as Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines, with stops in cities such as Istanbul, Johannesburg, and Doha.
See more tips
*Average of the lowest prices shown in KAYAK’s search results for departures within the next 30 days

Top 4 airlines serving from San Francisco to South Africa

Need help choosing which airline to fly with from San Francisco to South Africa? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7,5
Qatar AirwaysOverall score based on 3832 reviews
7,7Boarding
8,0Crew
7,5Comfort
7,5Entertainment
7,4Food
Airline reviews

Did not like anything. Seats were crammed, leg space was minimal and food was terrible. This was the first time traveling overseas in American Airlines and was the worst experience ever. Have learned a lesson to never travel in American Airlines.

2,0 MediocreAnonymous, Nov 2024PHL - DOH
Read more Qatar Airways reviews

Did not like anything. Seats were crammed, leg space was minimal and food was terrible. This was the first time traveling overseas in American Airlines and was the worst experience ever. Have learned a lesson to never travel in American Airlines.

Delayed my flights and no communication. We end up spending 6 hrs in Doha. No food or any concern from the airline. Terrible

Check in desk people constrained by fear. Obvious typo on Uganda visa, even though approved, caused loss of flight. Something is definitely wrong with this system.

Between Air India and Qatar my luggage was lost for three days. I eventually found my own luggage location using the Apple Air Tag. Air India used a paper form to report my lost luggage. I could never get past getting past luggage personnel with my report number before they would hang up on me. Only after them specifically telling Air India at Chandigarh airport where my luggage was located which was right under their noses did they react. After three days I finally received my luggage. The Air India luggage folks didn’t seem proactive in finding the luggage’s rightful owner.

Besides the flight cancellation, everything else was prefect. Kudos to Malaysian Airlines.

Operated by American Airlines. Very chaotic and the crew was bit rough responding any enquiries. Restricted leg space.. Qatar would have been better

Qatar airways from Doha to guangzhau was excellent big bird Boeing 777 more room and smoothly flight, I Love it

It was good no problems made it on time for the next flight overseas!

The made us waiting and held our passports and boarding pass making us miss our flights

Not impressed. Only allowed one carry on on such a long flight.

Seats were old and dirty, for a long haul flight you expect to be able to recline and for the av to work properly. Choice for vegans was fruit….

The Virgin Atlantic crew was very good. However, the equipment was OK, the seats were OK, but her bags did not arrive with me. Two bags showed up a day later and I’m still waiting for my third back.

The crew was very good. However, the equipment was a bit dated. Some of the electronics were not working. To top it, three bags didn’t arrive with me. Two of them were delivered a day later. I’m still waiting for the third bag, I was so looking forward to this virgin Atlantic flight, but, I am disappointed.

My only complaint is that the pocket in front of me was ripped and my things, like iPad and airline magazines, kept slipping to the floor.

Flight delayed yet again. Crew apathetic and unhelpful re affect on connecting flight.

I think Virgin is one of the best flying experiences, especially from/to the UK. The staff are so helpful and fun, the food is good, seats comfortable, goof entertainment and great value. Check in and boarding is pretty pain free. I also find that the other passengers are generally so kind and considerate than when I've flown other airlines.

Cabin crew on our flight showed lack of any customer service gruff and acting annoyed if you asked anything and I mean anything Example a man on the seat over dropped his beer on my husbands blanket We asked if we could switch out blankets cabin crew Said. No we don’t have any extras OK well can you take the wet one Cabin crew looked disgusted and annoyed Took it no OK or yes just a growl

Quick flight. But cabin crew were very noisy and talking too much, especially when we were seated at the back of the plane trying to sleep through the night .

My ticket was for Premium Economy and all the seats were taken, I was placed in Economy class and I’m looking for a refund.

Unfortunately delayed 2 hrs due to faulty tyre.. which had to be changed, but better safe than sorry.

Check in was not available online. It was super long line to check in

I did not have a good experience from the first point of contact to the check in person to boarding and the comfort of the seats. I would not travel on Turkish again. I will let my family and friends know about my experience which was not a pleasant one.

Food quality and the overall service of the staff and significantly decreased. The flight was delayed at the Istanbul airport and the passengers were kept onboard for more than 3 hours. The staff didn’t kept the passengers informed and everyone was upset.

Cross Atlantic flight terrible aircraft TK10 on the way back : Old configuration tacky . The boarding in Istanbul at the gate fly TK686 was a mess unorganized , very rude ground staff . Overall never again

The food served was frozen salad and hummus. The hot meal was fine. Crew was doing bare minimum

I enjoy flying with Turkish Airlines and such good hospitality among the crew memebers

Good food and wine. Some of the Guy who are in charge to board Passengers on the plane couldn’t use the word “Please” to direct them drop their hand luggage to be loaded on Plane bcos he said the inside storage may not have enough room for all.

Turkish Airlines apparently no longer gives you 2 checked bags allowance on international flights, so that pleasure cost me $165 for my second suitcase at the airport. On top of that, they damaged that very suitcase, which happens to be a designer one and part of a set - ripped one of the four wheels right off.

Pretty standard for long haul international flying. Food was fine, tv/movie selection was great, wifi did not work at all, crew was pleasant enough.

Very poor service. Not friendly and special food ordered but not served

There was no USB plug in my section of the plane. So I could not charge my phone. Also, there was no screen to watch movie or anything like that. Wish I had known that in advance, I would’ve brought my iPad.

Made all groups except 2 check despite ample bin space. Inflight WiFi and entertainment didn’t work most of the time.

Not enough room between rows and food was gross. $160 baggage charge?! Never again.

Waited for our plane from HNL so we didn't miss connection. AMAZING Service for that, then really clean plane. Nice airline attendants.

Excellent staff helping my 96 year old senior promptly with her oxygen needs

Basics were there, but a 5:15 flight with almost no food ans no entertainment, it is quite long.

Moody attendants that can barely look up at the passengers. I’m all for people having an off day, but you can tell some Untied Airlines Employees have lost their zeal for their jobs

Some of the issues with my UA flight to a connecting flight: United said the SF to Frankfurt flight was getting late making us miss 10:50 flight and could only put us on a flight that left at 4:15 PM from biz to coach. then they canceled the ticket on the connecting flight. I didn’t have a seat, etc., etc., and over an hour dealing with UNITED blaming Lufthansa and Lufthansa pointing to UNITED. The flight itself was fine (food sucked) and we landed in time that I could’ve made the 1050 flight. but the LH gate agent said I couldn’t get on because United issued the ticket and only they could change tix back. Gave up and wasted the next five hours plus of our vacation and ended up being totally wiped out by the time we reached the hotel.

Check-in was a little confusing. I paid for extra luggage, but when i checked in the system didnt seem to know. Arrived in Paris early after a late departure. Luggage arrived on the same flight with no apparent damage.

Flight was quite late as there was no pilot Crew is usually excellent, this flight not as good as usual there were more mistakes, slower and less friendly service But honestly the aircraft was too cramped and uncomfortable for a 4 hour flying get so, do to the aircraft liability the very best you could ever do is mediocre.

Book cheap flights from San Francisco to South Africa

Recent return flight deals

17/2Mon
1 stopAmerican Airlines
25h 20mSFO-CPT
3/3Mon
1 stopAmerican Airlines
30h 15mCPT-SFO
R16 955
17/3Mon
1 stopAmerican Airlines
27h 40mSFO-CPT
25/3Tue
1 stopAmerican Airlines
27h 00mCPT-SFO
R16 973
22/1Wed
2 stopsAmerican Airlines
29h 42mSFO-CPT
7/2Fri
1 stopAmerican Airlines
27h 00mCPT-SFO
R17 045
4/2Tue
1 stopTurkish Airlines
31h 10mSFO-CPT
11/2Tue
1 stopTurkish Airlines
33h 30mCPT-SFO
R17 297
28/1Tue
1 stopTurkish Airlines
35h 40mSFO-JNB
11/2Tue
1 stopTurkish Airlines
31h 35mJNB-SFO
R17 351
16/3Sun
1 stopQatar Airways
27h 10mSFO-JNB
30/3Sun
1 stopQatar Airways
38h 00mJNB-SFO
R18 703
2/4Wed
1 stopQatar Airways
26h 30mSFO-JNB
16/4Wed
1 stopQatar Airways
38h 00mJNB-SFO
R18 955
9/3Sun
1 stopVirgin Atlantic
29h 15mSFO-CPT
29/3Sat
1 stopVirgin Atlantic
37h 20mCPT-SFO
R24 937
2/12Mon
2 stopsUnited Airlines
32h 05mSFO-JNB
21/1Tue
2 stopsUnited Airlines
34h 37mJNB-SFO
R26 865
2/12Mon
2 stopsUnited Airlines
32h 05mSFO-JNB
21/1Tue
1 stopUnited Airlines
30h 25mJNB-SFO
R27 333

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Recent one-way flight deals

28/3Fri
1 stopCathay Pacific
34h 15mSFO-JNB
R10 847
20/4Sun
3 stops
52h 30mSFO-CPT
R12 757
20/4Sun
1 stopQatar Airways
33h 40mSFO-CPT
R13 243
20/1Mon
1 stopQatar Airways
33h 45mSFO-CPT
R13 315
27/12Fri
1 stopTurkish Airlines
30h 00mSFO-JNB
R18 739
27/12Fri
1 stopTurkish Airlines
35h 40mSFO-JNB
R18 757
2/1Thu
1 stopVirgin Atlantic
32h 50mSFO-JNB
R20 288
27/3Thu
2 stopsUnited Airlines
32h 52mSFO-JNB
R20 865
27/12Fri
2 stopsUnited Airlines
29h 11mSFO-CPT
R21 838
18/12Wed
1 stopVirgin Atlantic
29h 15mSFO-CPT
R35 333

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Last minute flights from San Francisco to South Africa

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

22/11Fri
multi-stopBritish Airways
29h 30mSFO-CPT
2/12Mon
multi-stopBritish Airways
54h 20mCPT-SFO
R20 811
22/11Fri
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
25h 20mSFO-CPT
3/12Tue
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
30h 15mCPT-SFO
R25 117
22/11Fri
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
30h 05mSFO-CPT
3/12Tue
multi-stopAmerican Airlines
30h 15mCPT-SFO
R26 685
22/11Fri
multi-stopBritish Airways
25h 20mSFO-CPT
3/12Tue
multi-stopBritish Airways
30h 15mCPT-SFO
R26 721
22/11Fri
multi-stopQatar Airways
30h 24mSFO-JNB
2/12Mon
multi-stopQatar Airways
38h 30mJNB-SFO
R33 135
21/11Thu
multi-stopVirgin Atlantic
29h 15mSFO-CPT
1/12Sun
multi-stopVirgin Atlantic
38h 50mCPT-SFO
R35 315
22/11Fri
multi-stopQatar Airways
41h 45mSFO-JNB
2/12Mon
multi-stopQatar Airways
38h 30mJNB-SFO
R35 495
21/11Thu
multi-stopUnited Airlines
32h 10mSFO-JNB
2/12Mon
multi-stopUnited Airlines
30h 50mJNB-SFO
R35 712
21/11Thu
multi-stopUnited Airlines
31h 35mSFO-CPT
3/12Tue
multi-stopUnited Airlines
30h 40mCPT-SFO
R35 712
23/11Sat
multi-stopTurkish Airlines
30h 00mSFO-JNB
25/11Mon
multi-stopTurkish Airlines
31h 40mJNB-SFO
R105 045

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Everything you need to know for your flight from San Francisco to South Africa

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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