Questions about travel to South Africa

[tassie6]

We had a similar situation coming from Durban, Ended up getting a flight that got in at about 9am and booked a day use room at City Lodge (a walk, connected to terminal) and it was R1290 for the day, circa $114

Then strolled over at checkin open for QF64

Edit: Emailed them directly to book, room is available from 8am-5pm for that price, at the time of booking

 

[akenne21]

Lots of good info already provided.
A minor addition - last Nov we did the same CPT-JNB same day flight to connect to QF64 (1730 nominal departure time then).
Though we had good experiences on Airlink on other flights, that day we were on Fly Safair.
Nominally a LCC but they had a "business class" which was similar to Euro style with normal Y seats with an empty middle. Price differential was reasonable.
It also provided "Bidvest" lounge access at CPT. It was nice enough and the flight boarded via aerobridge. (in fact the one visible from the lounge).
Our arrival at JNB was scheduled 1350, and we had no rush collecting bags and checking in before going to the BA lounge. We would have been there maybe 3 hours ahead of departure and was initially very quiet.

Good to know! Hadn't even heard of Fly Safair! But good to know that the connection in JNB was manageable with a 1350 arrival and collecting bags to re-check.

 

[akenne21]

Was the daughter with you then?
If yes, you should have said, figuring then I would not put so much waffle...
I wouldn't have waffled so much.
(((Am in PER, my first time few years ago here it was scary.
Now it's blah))).
If daughter had been on previous trip, she would know all tricks, scams, whistles etc.

Just to be absolutely crystal clear...

My 17 year old daughter and I will fly together to SA in December 2026. We have 12 days there together and then she departs a few days before me as I am staying on for work.

I already have her ticket booked for the JNB-SYD sector, points booking in J on QF64.

As we will be in Cape Town, I was wondering what would be the best connecting flight for her from CPT-JNB. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions on what would be the best amount of time to leave in JNB to allow her plenty of time to get her bags and re-check for the QF flight.

My daughter has travelled plenty of times with me. While it is her first solo international flight, I am checking her in at first port of departure in CPT. She is 8 days off turning 18. She will have had the benefit of 12 days in SA with me prior to her departure and will have already done the trip in reverse with me.

 

[Quickstatus]

My daughter has travelled plenty of times with me. While it is her first solo international flight, I am checking her in at first port of departure in CPT. She is 8 days off turning 18. She will have had the benefit of 12 days in SA with me prior to her departure and will have already done the trip in reverse with me

Yes, just book the CPT -JNB connection on the day that gives the most ground time in JNB

Other than that, I suspect the lounge is slightly off limits

You will be in the country as well to sort out any potential issues - that's always a plus.

My daughter has travelled to many places solo too
Her first one was to SYD-MEL-YVR. The immigration person asked her if she was running away from home - she was 14.

At 17 she flew back home from Xinjiang to Beijing to SYD by herself

At 18 she and a uni friend travelled via DXB to Nairobi then Livingstone then taxi across the border into Zimbabwe, then CPT-DXB-SIN-SYD (classic award in part)

Eventually we have to let them be the adults that they already are. When I was a kid, and I suspect same for many of use, I could never dream of such travel let alone by myself.

Can also recommend Airlink (4Z). BA partners with them too.