How to Find Cheap Flights to Africa

How to Find Cheap Flights to Africa

Planning an affordable trip to Africa can be tricky, but savvy travelers use clever tricks to lower costs. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to find cheap flights to Africa no matter where you live. 

Best Tips for Finding Cheap Flights to Africa

Book Early for Discounted Africa Tickets  

The most important tip for cheap airfare to Africa is to book very early. Flights open for purchase about 11 months before departure, giving you almost a year to lock in low fares. Africa flight routes have limited options that fill up fast, so booking a year in advance guarantees you get one of those cheap seats before others claim them. Set a calendar reminder as soon as you decide on trip dates so you remember to purchase discounted Africa tickets with ample time to spare.

Be Flexible with Africa Travel Dates

If your schedule permits date flexibility, big savings await on Africa flights. Airfare costs fluctuate based on season, day of week, holidays, and events across the continent. Knowing when to travel reveals money-saving opportunities for cheap plane tickets to Africa. 

The peak summer months of July and August attract masses of American and European tourists enjoying school holidays. Similarly, crowds flock during the December and January peak season in Southern Hemisphere destinations like South Africa. Flights to Africa skyrocket in price when demand is highest, so opting for shoulder seasons right before or after summer brings cheaper airfare. 

Beyond seasonal trends, certain days and weeks offer airfare deals to Africa. Weekends tend to cost more than weekdays, especially avoiding Fridays when ticket prices peak. Thursdays and Sundays are typically the cheapest days to fly intercontinentally. Even choosing between Monday or Tuesday versus Wednesday or Thursday can make a difference for Africa flight bargains. 

School holidays also impact airfares, with trips doubling in cost when kids across America and Europe take extended breaks from school. Be strategic by traveling during term time instead of busy student vacation periods. The simple act of shifting your dates a week earlier or later can reveal big differences in flight costs. 

Finally, pay attention to major holidays and events in Africa that could send prices upward. Ramadan directly affects Muslim countries by limiting food services onboard and on the ground. Safaris spike during the Great Migration from July through October. Even music festivals and conferences occur at different times across cities and countries, so research your target destination’s calendar before committing to travel dates. Knowledge of holidays and happenings provides leverage to pinpoint the cheapest windows for scoring affordable plane tickets to Africa.  

Indirect Routes Equal Cheap Flights to Africa!  

Nonstop flights from America to Africa seem convenient on the surface, but they also come with premium price tags. The most budget-friendly way to reach the continent is by booking indirect routes with stopovers along the way. This takes more time and logistical planning but cuts costs substantially on Africa airfare.

In most cases, the cheapest routes connect through countries that previously colonized parts of Africa. Flights from the United States to South Africa often stop in London first, while Germany serves as the layover point for bargain airfare to Namibia. Former imperial power France still funnels indirect traffic to and from its former West African colonies. 

Certain global airlines utilize these colonial associations to offer discounted Africa tickets at rates far below their American and European counterparts. Carriers like Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, and Kenya Airways dominate affordable flights to Africa through well-developed hub airports in Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Dubai, and Nairobi. These geographic connection points then spray out flights at reduced rates across the continent.  

The tradeoff comes in extended layovers, which can stretch 10+ hours in length. Make sure to account for lodging and food costs incurred during lengthy stopovers when hunting for the cheapest net fares. Some countries also require transit visas depending on nationality, so factor any visa fees into total expenses. 

Despite extra logistics of indirect routes, the cost savings are undeniable for bargain flights to Africa. Opening your search to one or more stops along the way guarantees finding lower ticket prices.  

Leverage Flight Comparison Sites 

Skilled Africa travelers avoid paying commission fees to travel agents by booking discounted flights themselves online. This DIY approach relies on flight comparison websites like Skyscanner, Momondo, and Google Flights to scour all available fares and present the cheapest options on one screen. 

These meta search sites compile discounted ticket listings from both airlines and discount travel agencies alike. The varied data sources combined with an efficient sorting algorithm help uncover the lowest prices for any given route. Comparison platforms also allow flexible date searches spanning months at a time to pinpoint cheapest periods for securing airfare.

Many flight search tools offer customizable price alerts when fares drop below a target threshold. As an example, you could set an alert to notify you if Cape Town flights dip under $750. This lets opportunistic travelers pounce on temporary sale fares that might disappear quickly.  

Savvy students and budget travelers under age 26 should still check with student travel agency STA Travel in addition to mainstream flight websites. STA often secures exclusive discounted ticket allotments that other online sellers can’t access.  

Pay Close Attention to Fine Print  

The cheapest headline price displayed on flight search sites doesn’t always tell the full monetary story. Make sure to click through to understand what’s included with Africa ticket fares before making final purchase decisions. 

Many discount airlines lure in flyers with impressively low base fares then tack on fees for extras like checked baggage, seat assignments, food, and even payment processing. These unpleasant surprises can turn an apparently cheap flight into a subpar value after piles of fees accumulate. 

Be diligent in analyzing the true final price including taxes, add-ons, and exclusions. Avoid options trying to dupe you with introductory rates that balloon upon checkout. What first appears as the cheapest flight can end up rather expensive after accounting for all additional costs imposed by stingy budget carriers.

Consider Full Trip Costs  

When evaluating flight options and stopovers, look beyond airfare alone to incorporate likely costs at layover and destination points. A shorter layover saves money on a hotel stay yet leaves less time for rest, while an overnight stopover offers a chance to sleep but requires spending for lodging and meals. 

Destinations themselves also vary dramatically in affordability once on the ground. If you’re choosing between Johannesburg and Cape Town flights, for example, understand that costs like lodging, food, transportation, and activities run far higher in popular Cape Town. So a cheaper flight to Cape Town could still mean higher overall travel costs compared to pricier airfare to Johannesburg.   

Local Currency Values Matter Too

Since Africa consists of 54 diverse countries using dozens of currencies, exchange rates impact true affordability. A flight may appear cheap on its face when quoted in U.S. dollars or Euros but requires converting large sums of local African money upon arrival.

It’s wise for deal-seeking travelers to cross-reference listed fares against current exchange rates in destination countries. A $500 ticket seems like a good price until realizing it equates to 50,000 South African Rand. Understanding realistic currency numbers helps assess if advertised airfares actually reflect good values or not.   

Book Connecting Flights as a Single Ticket 

When planning a multi-city African itinerary requiring internal connecting flights, make sure to purchase the full journey on a single ticket. Booking separate legs with individual airlines or online travel agencies might save a few dollars upfront but carries major risks.

If a delay or cancellation causes you to miss a booked flight, having a single integrated ticket requires the airline to rebook you on the next available departure free of charge. That guarantee disappears when flights exist as standalone transactions. Missing one segment booked separately forces you to buy brand new tickets for remaining trip portions, often at higher last-minute fares.

While booking connecting flights piecemeal appears convenient in theory, a single unified ticket protects against potential disruptions down the road. The minimal upfront savings fail to justify the huge expense risk posed by fragmented flight arrangements. Simply put, always book onward journeys as part of initial ticket purchase.

Use Reward Miles and Credit Card Points to Find Cheap Flights to Africa

Frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs provide one final avenue for scoring reduced Africa flights. Accruing miles and points through travel-centric credit cards gives options for redeeming awards instead of paying cash. American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One Miles each unlock flight deals if you strategically open and utilize the right card combinations.  

On top of welcome bonuses gained when newly approved, these travel rewards structures allow cardholders to earn points or miles through everyday spending. Charging normal purchases like groceries, gas, utilities, and other bills to your rewards card quickly adds up balances that convert into free flights later on. 

Just beware of cards with annual fees that diminish value along with tempting sign-up offers and bonus mile exchange rates. Analyze full program details to calculate expected returns and ensure chosen travel cards deliver sufficient rewards. 

With a bit of effort, those hard-earned rewards end up funding dream trips to Africa at reduced rates or possibly no cash outlay at all outside of taxes and fees. Put in time to study optimal loyalty programs and credit cards so points become the currency covering cheap African adventures down the road.  

Happy and Safe Travels to Africa!

Now equipped with comprehensive tips and tricks for finding affordable airfare, you can start planning budget African vacations full of excitement. Follow guidance in this guide to secure cheap flights to amazing destinations in Africa that match your interests, schedule, and bank account. Safe travels with plenty of money leftover thanks to scored flight deals!