London to Durban (LHR–DUR) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended departure date with at least two blank pages (South Africa is strict about the blank pages rule and will deny boarding or entry without them).

You need a return or onward ticket. Immigration at O.R. Tambo (JNB), Cape Town (CPT), or King Shaka (DUR) airports issues a visitor's visa stamp on arrival. Extensions are possible through the Department of Home Affairs but must be filed before the 90 days expire. If traveling with children under 18, carry a full unabridged birth certificate showing both parents' names. South Africa enforces this requirement and airlines check before boarding.

Direct flights from London Heathrow to Johannesburg run about 11 hours, to Cape Town about 11 hours 30 minutes. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and South African Airways operate the routes. The South African rand (ZAR) trades at roughly 18.5 ZAR per $1. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals on direct flights. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory if arriving from or transiting through an endemic country (common on routings via East Africa). Take malaria prophylaxis for Kruger and Limpopo province; it is not needed for Cape Town, Johannesburg, or the Garden Route.

Heathrow Express runs from London Paddington to T5 and T2/T3 in 15–21 minutes (£37 single, cheaper booked online or via the Heathrow app). Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is a lower-cost alternative; Paddington to T5 in 34 minutes from £13.50 with an Oyster/contactless cap of £14.90. The Elizabeth line also serves central London stations including Bond Street, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street.London Underground Piccadilly line serves all terminals (T2/T3/T4/T5) from central London in 40–60 minutes (£6 with Oyster). Taxis (black cabs) from central London cost £55–90 depending on traffic. Coach services from Victoria Coach Station (National Express) cost from £10 booked in advance.