Cheap SAA flights to East London

East London enjoys warm days, moderate to cool nights, and rainfall throughout the year. When it comes to visiting the wildlife reserves around East London, the best times to visit are from December to January (early to mid-summer) and April to September (mid-autumn to early-spring), when the rainfall averages around 10 days a month and the temperatures comfortably range from the low to mid-20s. Be prepared for higher accommodation rates and longer queues at attractions, and make sure you book a hotel room well in advance. If you’re willing to brave more wet weather to get more availability and better accommodation costs, then visit from February to March (late-summer – early-autumn), when the rainfall is at its highest, but the temperatures still sit around the low to mid-20s.

South African citizens do not need a visa to visit East London. For international visitors, visa requirements for South Africa depend on your nationality, the purpose of your visit and the length of your stay. Before travelling, check with the South African Department of Home Affairs or your nearest South African embassy or consulate to confirm whether you need a visa and how to apply.

Before booking your flights to East London on Travelstart, check the official South African visa requirements or contact your nearest South African embassy or consulate.

Home Affairs contact centre: 0800 60 11 90 within South Africa.

Travel information disclaimer: Visa, passport, entry and transit requirements may change without notice. This information is a general guide and does not guarantee visa approval, boarding or entry. Always confirm the latest requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate or immigration authority for every country you will visit or transit through, and with your airline before departure. Travellers are responsible for obtaining the correct documents. To the extent permitted by law, Travelstart cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies, changes to requirements, visa refusals, denied boarding or entry, or resulting costs.

Before you depart for East London, make sure to get all the routine vaccinations. Additionally, you should take care to prevent getting hepatitis B (transmittable through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products), hepatitis A, and typhoid (these last two being transmittable through contaminated food and water). Since you may be spending time outdoors, make sure to prevent mosquito bites (there is a small risk of malaria infection in South Africa) and take care when interacting with animals due to rabies, which is spread from the bites of infected mammals. There is no risk of yellow fever in the country, but if you do travel through a country that is afflicted by this disease, you will need to get the necessary vaccination and a yellow fever certificate.

When exploring East London take care to practise the following:

• Secure your valuables in a hotel safe

• Keep your hotel door locked at all times

• Decide on your route before you leave your hotel

• Ask for advice on the surrounding area from your host or hotel personnel

• Valuables, such as phones and cameras should be kept out of sight

• Always keep your car doors locked

• Lock any personal items and luggage in the boot of your car

• Park in well-lit areas when you’re out at night

• For alternative transport, use only credible taxi companies

• Never swim alone

• And avoid leaving belongings unattended on the beach.

Find accommodation in East London to suit your trip, from budget-friendly guesthouses and self-catering apartments to boutique stays and beachfront hotels. Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a business trip or a coastal break, compare East London accommodation by location, facilities and price.

Consider Quigney for beachfront stays, Nahoon for accommodation near the beach or Gonubie for a relaxed coastal escape. Choose a location close to your planned activities, and check parking, Wi-Fi, breakfast options and cancellation terms before booking. Compare accommodation on Travelstart and book an East London stay that fits your plans and budget.

Getting around East London can involve car rental, ride-hailing services and pre-booked transfers, depending on your itinerary. Choose accommodation close to your planned activities and arrange transport between the beachfront, suburbs and nearby coastal destinations.

For shorter journeys, check ride-hailing availability or ask your accommodation provider to arrange a transfer. Confirm fares, pick-up points and return arrangements before setting off, especially when travelling beyond the city centre.

Walking can suit short outings along the beachfront or Gonubie boardwalk. For journeys from King Phalo Airport (East London Airport), compare rental cars and pre-booked transfers based on your arrival time, luggage and accommodation location. Confirm collection details before travelling and allow extra time for traffic.

Planning to explore Nahoon, Gonubie or beyond East London? Compare car rental options with Travelstart for your pick-up location and dates. Check insurance, deposits, mileage limits and driving-document requirements before booking, and factor parking, fuel and any toll fees into your budget.

SAA offers flights to East London, which may include services operated with partner airlines. Select your travel dates to see currently available flights, routings, departure times and arrival airports.

Your arrival airport is King Phalo Airport (ELS), which is approximately a 15-minute drive from East London’s city centre.

Baggage allowances depend on the fare and cabin class selected. Compare the cabin baggage, checked baggage and optional extras included in each fare before booking.

Travellers must carry a valid passport and meet the United Kingdom’s entry requirements, which may include a visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) depending on nationality. Check the current UK entry requirements and SAA’s travel document guidelines before travelling, particularly for children and passengers transiting through another country.

Compare several departure and return dates if your plans are flexible. Midweek or off-peak travel may cost less, although fares change with demand and availability. Search your dates on Travelstart to compare the flights and prices currently available.