Flying from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur: what you need to know
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is Johannesburg's main airport. Explore your options for booking a flight from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur jetting off from here.
Touch down in Kuala Lumpur at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
The timezone in Kuala Lumpur is UTC+8, which is six hours ahead of Johannesburg.
To ensure you board your Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur flight. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur throughout the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's a better deal on cheap flights from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur.
Save on your Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur flights departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU)
JNB is around 23 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near O.R. Tambo International Airport:
Of the flights that depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport, 77.1% arrive on time at their destination.
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
The distance from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to central Kuala Lumpur is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes around 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur. Check in to one of these accommodation options near KUL instead:
Travel at your own pace with a Kuala Lumpur International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from ASIA CAR, Paradise or GoSoCar and discover more of Kuala Lumpur and beyond.
For the lowest price, book your vehicle from Kuala Lumpur International Airport about four weeks ahead of your Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur flight.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) is about 16 kilometres from the centre of Kuala Lumpur. After your flight from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur, it'll take you approximately 25 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Travelling by public transport will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to SZB. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Sixt, WAHDAH or Agtran and get going in the blink of an eye.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Reserving your ride one week before your arrival at SZB will help you save.
Best time to go to Kuala Lumpur
February is the quietest month for flights from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur, while August is the most popular. Pick the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Kuala Lumpur is March, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 21ºC (70ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Kuala Lumpur
Start your Kuala Lumpur trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Kuala Lumpur, browse our range of hotels including:
Petronas Twin Towers and Merdeka Square are just the start of the top-rated attractions to add to your Kuala Lumpur travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Central Market Cultural Performances.
Explore more of Malaysia
Kota Bharu is just one of the many cities in Malaysia waiting to be explored after you've seen Kuala Lumpur. Around 338 kilometres to the north, check out popular attractions including Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Siti Khadijah Market and Handicraft Village and Craft Museum, Kelantan.
Next up? Set out for Kampung Baru Subang. It's roughly 18 kilometres west of Kuala Lumpur and boasts highlights like Simflightkl.