Las Vegas to Johannesburg Flights (LAS to JNB): Routings, Travel Time and O. R. Tambo Arrival

One stop is possible, through London or an East Coast hub

There is no nonstop between Las Vegas and Johannesburg, but a one-stop itinerary is realistic because both a European airline and two US airlines connect the dots. As of recent schedules, the main options are:

• British Airways via London Heathrow. British Airways flies nonstop from Las Vegas to London, and from Heathrow to Johannesburg. One airline, one connection, and both long legs can be overnight flights. Virgin Atlantic has also flown Las Vegas to London and London to Johannesburg; check its current schedule.
• Delta via Atlanta. Delta flies Atlanta to Johannesburg, and Las Vegas to Atlanta is a straightforward domestic leg. The Atlanta to Johannesburg flight is one of Delta's longest.
• United via Newark. United flies Newark to Johannesburg, with plenty of Las Vegas to Newark flights to connect.
• Two-stop alternatives. Qatar Airways via Doha and Emirates via Dubai do not serve Las Vegas, so they need a US connection first, typically in Los Angeles, Dallas or Chicago. They add hours but suit travellers who prefer Gulf airlines or want a stopover.

For most travellers the choice is between London, with a good mix of daytime and overnight timings, and Atlanta or Newark, which keep the whole trip on one US airline.

Distance and travel time

Las Vegas to Johannesburg is roughly 10,000 miles (about 16,000 km) on the great circle, one of the longest city pairs you can fly with a single stop. Plan on 24 to 30 hours door to door.

Via London, Las Vegas to Heathrow takes about 10 hours and Heathrow to Johannesburg about 11. Via Atlanta, the domestic leg is about four hours and the Atlanta to Johannesburg leg 15 to 16. Via Newark, the domestic leg is about five hours and the Johannesburg leg around 14 to 15. Coming back, the long legs from Johannesburg are usually an hour or two longer because they fly against prevailing winds.

Leaving from Harry Reid International

Harry Reid International has two terminals. Terminal 3 handles international flights, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, along with several US airlines; Terminal 1 handles many domestic flights, including Southwest. Delta and United domestic flights have used both over time, so check your airline's terminal before you leave the hotel.

The Strip is only a few minutes' drive away, which makes it tempting to cut it fine. Security lines at Las Vegas are long on Sunday and Monday when weekend visitors fly home, and for a long-haul trip with checked bags three hours ahead is sensible. Ask for your bags to be checked through to Johannesburg.

Arriving at O. R. Tambo and getting into Johannesburg

O. R. Tambo International is Africa's busiest airport, and its international arrivals hall gets crowded in the morning when the overnight flights from Europe and the Gulf land. Immigration for US passport holders is usually straightforward, and the airline will have checked your passport pages and validity before you boarded.

The airport is in Kempton Park, east of the city:

• Gautrain. The rapid rail line runs from the airport station to Sandton in about 15 minutes, with connections to Rosebank, Park Station and Pretoria. Safe, clean and the most reliable way to reach the northern suburbs where many hotels are.
• Ride-hailing or metered taxi. 30 to 60 minutes to Sandton or Rosebank depending on traffic. Use the official taxi ranks or the signed ride-hailing pick-up points.
• Hotel shuttles and transfers. Most large hotels arrange airport pick-ups, worth booking after a 30-hour journey.

If you are heading on to a safari lodge in Kruger, Botswana or the Cape, many connections leave from O. R. Tambo the same day. Leave three hours or more between your arrival and an onward domestic flight, because immigration and baggage reclaim take time.

Entry rules for South Africa

As of recent rules, US passport holders can visit South Africa for tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport needs at least two blank visa pages and must be valid for 30 days beyond your departure; airlines check this in Las Vegas and will refuse boarding if it is short. Travellers with children should check the current rules on documents for minors.

A yellow fever certificate is required only if you arrive from or transit through a country with yellow fever risk, which does not apply to the London or US routings. Confirm the latest rules on the South African Department of Home Affairs website.

When to go

Johannesburg sits high on the Highveld, so its weather is milder than many visitors expect. Summer, from November to March, is warm with afternoon thunderstorms; winter, from May to August, is dry and sunny with cold nights. The winter months are prime safari season in Kruger and neighbouring parks, when vegetation thins and animals gather at water.

Fares from Las Vegas peak during the US summer holidays and over Christmas and New Year, when South Africans abroad also fly home. April to May and September to October are usually quieter, with good weather in the city and in the parks. Booking two to four months ahead gives you a choice of routings on a trip this long.

Time difference and jet lag

Johannesburg is on South Africa Standard Time, UTC plus two, with no daylight saving. Las Vegas is ten hours behind in winter and nine hours behind in summer. Jet lag is heavy either way, and the length of the trip adds to it.

The London routing gives you a natural break and a chance to sleep on two overnight legs. Whatever the routing, set your watch to Johannesburg time when you board the long leg, sleep when it is night there, and plan a quiet first day.

What travellers on this route get wrong

The first mistake is turning up with a passport that has no blank pages, which South Africa enforces strictly. The second is booking a same-day connection to a safari flight with too little time after a long immigration queue. The third is underestimating Highveld winter: Johannesburg nights in June and July are cold, and many guesthouses have little heating.