Flying from RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 45 minutes.
Harare (the location of RG Mugabe International Airport) and Johannesburg are in the same timezone — UTC+2.
RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the most popular route, with 79 weekly flights to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from HRE to JNB is with Airlink (South Africa) at 18:40. Opt for the first departure operated by Fastjet Zimbabwe at 06:00 if you want to get on your way earlier.
For a relaxed start to your HRE to Johannesburg flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Travelling during a peak period like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. For peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Direct RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg tickets are available for booking. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is where you'll be touching down.
Direct flights from RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg are offered by a good range of airlines. Travel with one of these:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially land a cheaper flight ticket from HRE to Johannesburg. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these connecting airports:
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN)
Kigali International Airport (KGL)
To get to HRE from central Harare, it'll take about 20 minutes if you're travelling by car. It's roughly 11 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Searching for a hotel near HRE? If you're catching an early flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
Of the departures from RG Mugabe International Airport, 78.56% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) to Johannesburg
The best price we've found for a one-way RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg flight is RM489. The cheapest price for a return flight is RM835. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap flight from HRE to Johannesburg. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg across the month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your dates are flexible.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from HRE to Johannesburg by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg takes around 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 29 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg. Check in to one of these accommodation options near JNB instead:
Go where the road takes you with an O.R. Tambo International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion and chase adventure across Johannesburg and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by booking your vehicle from O.R. Tambo International Airport around three weeks in advance of your flight from HRE to Johannesburg.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Lanseria International Airport (HLA) is about 48 kilometres from central Johannesburg. Once you've hopped off your flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg, it'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
After stepping off your HRE to Johannesburg flight, settle in at a hotel near HLA. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or slow-moving cab lines. Grab a Lanseria International Airport rental car and take your trip in whatever direction you choose. Check out the availability and rates from First - Car Hire, Tempest - Car Hire and Firefly powered by Hertz.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from HLA four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
Travel to Johannesburg during peak season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book flights from RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg during low season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
Book a RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg flight ticket with a departure in January if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 15ºC (59ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 4ºC (39ºF) and 20ºC (68ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from HRE to Johannesburg around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Johannesburg
Once you've booked your flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Johannesburg, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these options your base for exploring Johannesburg:
Maboneng Precinct and Constitution Hill are just the start of the major attractions to put on your Johannesburg to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Johannesburg Zoo.
Explore more of South Africa
Johannesburg has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of South Africa waiting to be explored. About 451 kilometres south-east of Johannesburg, a trip to Pietermaritzburg will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, Comrades Marathon House and The Old Prison.
Bloemfontein is another well-known destination in South Africa and is around 370 kilometres south-west of Johannesburg. No trip is complete without experiencing Naval Hill Planetarium, Bloemfontein Zoo and Anglo Boer War Museum.