Cheap Flights to George Airport (GRJ)

George Airport (IATA: GRJ, ICAO: FAGG) is the primary airport serving George and the broader Garden Route region of the Western Cape, South Africa. Owned and operated by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the airport is located approximately 10 kilometres from the George city centre, set dramatically between the Indian Ocean coastline and the Outeniqua Mountains.

The airport was originally built in 1977 under the name P.W. Botha Airport — named after the apartheid-era politician who lived in the region and later became State President — and was constructed as an exact replica of Keetmanshoop Airport in Namibia. Following South Africa’s democratic transition, it was renamed George Airport in 1994. A major runway extension and terminal renovation were completed ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, significantly improving capacity and the range of aircraft the airport can accommodate.

George Airport holds two remarkable distinctions. First, it has won the ACI (Airports Council International) award for Africa’s best airport in the under-two-million-passengers category six times, most recently in 2017 — a testament to its consistent operational quality relative to its size. Second, in September 2015, it became Africa’s first solar-powered airport — and only the second in the world at the time, after Cochin Airport in India. Its 2,000 solar panels produce up to 750 kW per day, more than enough to power the entire airport, with surplus electricity fed back into the George municipal grid.

George Airport also serves as an important cargo hub for the Western Cape, with a cold storage facility handling shipments of flowers, oysters, fish, and berries — perishable exports for which the Garden Route is famous. In 2025, GRJ had its best year on record, handling over 911,000 passengers with 11% year-on-year growth. A R310 million terminal expansion — set to begin October 2026 and complete by July 2028 — will double the airport’s annual passenger capacity to over one million.

Popular flight routes to George Airport are from Johannesburg to George and Cape Town to George.

George Airport offers a compact but well-organised selection of shops, food outlets, and services within its single terminal — everything you need for a comfortable start or end to a Garden Route trip.

Food and drink at George Airport: Wimpy is located on the first floor of the departures area, while Illy Express operates in the ground-floor concourse and departures hall — ideal for a quick coffee before your flight.

Shops at George Airport include: Sunglass Hut and Louis57 Golf Shop on the first floor (the golf shop is a nod to the region’s world-class courses), Sweets Treats in the concourse and departures, and VodaShop in the concourse for mobile accessories and SIM cards.

Services at George Airport include: ATMs (Nedbank and Standard Bank in the main concourse), Imali Express currency exchange in the arrivals hall, public telephones, porter assistance, a viewing deck, a 30-seat conference room and 10-seat boardroom on the first floor, chapel, and prayer rooms.

Most shops and services are accessible before security. Always check baggage restrictions before purchasing at the airport.

George Airport offers a solid range of facilities for a regional airport, with recent upgrades improving passenger comfort and a major expansion underway to prepare for future growth.

Lounge at George Airport:

• Bidvest Premier Lounge — located airside in the departures area, open daily from 07:00 to 19:00. Available to qualifying lounge programme members and premium ticket holders, offering refreshments, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi in a relaxed pre-flight environment.

General facilities at George Airport include:

• Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal
• ATMs (Nedbank and Standard Bank)
• Imali Express foreign exchange (arrivals hall)
• Viewing deck
• Public telephones
• Prayer rooms and chapel
• First aid facilities
• Porter services
• Conference facilities (30-seat room and 10-seat boardroom, first floor)
• Car rental desks in the arrivals hall
• Disabled access throughout

George Airport’s solar power system — 2,000 panels producing up to 750 kW daily — powers every service in the terminal, from check-in desks and baggage carousels to restaurants and ATMs, with excess electricity returned to the George municipal grid.

The R310 million expansion (starting October 2026, completing July 2028) will increase boarding gates from 6 to 8, add lounge space, and double annual passenger capacity to over 1 million.

Accommodation near George Airport ranges from peaceful mountain-view guesthouses to world-class golf hotels, all within easy reach of the terminal and the Garden Route’s most celebrated attractions.

Ibis Place Guest House

This tranquil 3-star guesthouse is just a 7-minute drive from George Airport, positioned with stunning views over the Outeniqua Mountains. Facilities include an airport shuttle, outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi. An ideal base for exploring George and the surrounding Garden Route.

Oubaai Hotel Golf & Spa

This exceptional 5-star hotel is a 10-minute drive from George Airport and is home to South Africa’s first Ernie Els signature golf course — one of the most acclaimed golf destinations in the country. Guests enjoy a swimming pool, gym, tennis and squash courts, a full-service spa, a whale-watching deck, and conference facilities. A genuinely world-class property in a spectacular coastal setting.

Dragonfly Cottage

This relaxed self-catering cottage is a 10-minute drive from George Airport — a practical and affordable option for those wanting independence and space. Amenities include secure parking, free Wi-Fi, and communal satellite TV.

Imali Express is the foreign exchange provider at George Airport, located in the arrivals hall — conveniently placed for international passengers connecting via Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Most exchange bureaus in South Africa allow you to purchase foreign currency up to 60 days before your departure date.

The following documents are required to purchase foreign exchange in South Africa:

• A valid passport
• Proof of travel arrangements (flight tickets and accommodation bookings)
• An original ID document or temporary resident permit
• Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement less than 3 months old)

ATMs from Nedbank and Standard Bank are located in the main terminal concourse for cash withdrawals in South African Rand.

George Airport offers a variety of parking options for both short and long-term stays, with covered and open-air bays conveniently located close to the terminal.

Parking options at George Airport include:

• Short-term parking bays for quick drop-offs and collections
• Long-term shaded and covered parking for extended trips
• Disabled parking bays

Pre-booking a parking bay in advance — ideally a month or more ahead — can save considerably on the standard rate. During peak Garden Route season (December/January and Easter) parking fills quickly. Get a parking quote and pre-book via Airport Parking Assistant.

The current expansion works (starting October 2026) include enlarged parking facilities as part of George Airport’s broader upgrade to handle growing passenger numbers.