How to get from Chicago to Johannesburg: connecting flights, about 19h 56m total

Flights from Chicago to Johannesburg

Pick a departure date to see flights and seller prices

We search agencies and airlines for your day: nonstop and connecting flights, baggage, departure and arrival times.

Best fares from Chicago to Johannesburg

Lowest one-way prices found by recent searches for the next 120 days; press a card to search that date

Cheapest one-way $706 5 December 2026, with a connection Cheapest weekend departure $706 Sat, 5 December 2026 Cheapest month December 2026 tickets from $706

Where to connect

Options with one connection, fastest first

fastest, via New York: 19h 56m
two tickets, via Madrid: $867
connection options: 5
straight-line distance: 8,689 mi (13,983 km)

fastest

Via New York

19h 56m

with the connection

Chicago to New York flight 2h 11m

Connection of about 3h Arrival: John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International. Departure to Johannesburg: Newark Liberty International.

New York to Johannesburg flight 14h 45m

Via Atlanta

20h 9m

with the connection

Chicago to Atlanta flight 2h 4m

Connection of about 3h

Atlanta to Johannesburg flight 15h 5m

two ticketsfrom $1,856

Via Madrid

Spain

21h 20m

with the connection

Chicago to Madrid flight 8h 15m

Connection of about 3h

Madrid to Johannesburg flight 10h 5m

two ticketsfrom $867

Via Amsterdam

Netherlands

22h

with the connection

Chicago to Amsterdam flight 8h 10m

Connection of about 3h

Amsterdam to Johannesburg flight 10h 50m

two ticketsfrom $1,650

Via Munich

Germany

22h

with the connection

Chicago to Munich flight 8h 30m

Connection of about 3h

Munich to Johannesburg flight 10h 30m

two ticketsfrom $1,197

One ticket or two

How the options are calculated and what to keep in mind at the connection

Flight times come from the nonstop schedule (estimated from the distance where there is no schedule), with 3h allowed for the connection. The price of an option is the sum of the lowest known fares for each leg; their dates may not match, so treat it as a guide. The search shows tickets for your dates, including connections on a single ticket.

Nearest nonstop flights

The closest you can get without a connection

From Chicago to cities closest to Johannesburg

Chicago to Cairo Cairo: 3,892 mi (6,264 km) from Johannesburg, flight 11h 10m from $374 Chicago to Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi: 3,917 mi (6,303 km) from Johannesburg, flight 13h 20m from $508 Chicago to Dubai Dubai: 3,989 mi (6,420 km) from Johannesburg, flight 13h 35m from $451 Chicago to Amman Amman: 4,051 mi (6,520 km) from Johannesburg, flight 11h 40m from $572 Chicago to Tel Aviv Yafo Tel Aviv Yafo: 4,052 mi (6,521 km) from Johannesburg, flight 11h 28m Chicago to Athens Athens: 4,444 mi (7,152 km) from Johannesburg, flight 10h 15m from $454

To Johannesburg from cities closest to Chicago

Atlanta to Johannesburg Atlanta: 589 mi (948 km) from Chicago, flight 15h 5m from $753 New York to Johannesburg New York: 711 mi (1,144 km) from Chicago, flight 14h 45m London to Johannesburg London: 3,948 mi (6,353 km) from Chicago, flight 11h 5m from $438 Amsterdam to Johannesburg Amsterdam: 4,106 mi (6,608 km) from Chicago, flight 10h 50m from $454 Paris to Johannesburg Paris: 4,133 mi (6,651 km) from Chicago, flight 11h 23m from $448 Madrid to Johannesburg Madrid: 4,179 mi (6,725 km) from Chicago, flight 10h 5m from $463

Frequently asked questions

Is there a nonstop flight from Chicago to Johannesburg?

There are no nonstop flights in the schedule. You will need a connection, the fastest is via New York.

What is the fastest way to fly from Chicago to Johannesburg?

Via New York: 2h 11m to the connection, 14h 45m after it, about 19h 56m in total with 3h for the connection.

How much does a flight from Chicago to Johannesburg with a connection cost?

Two nonstop tickets via Madrid from $867. This is the sum of the lowest known prices for each leg, and their dates may not match.

Which cities can you connect in between Chicago and Johannesburg?

New York (19h 56m total), Atlanta (20h 9m total), Madrid (21h 20m total), Amsterdam (22h total) and Munich (22h total).

How far is Johannesburg from Chicago?

8,689 mi (13,983 km) in a straight line between the cities.

How much time should I allow for the connection?

The options allow 3h. On a single ticket the carrier is responsible for the connection; on separate tickets you set the margin yourself, allowing time to collect and re-check your bags.