Distance from Cairo to Johannesburg

About This Route

6,264 km is the great-circle distance between the two city centres, calculated with the haversine formula. Flight paths are usually somewhat longer because aircraft follow air-traffic routes, and airports are not in the city centres. From Cairo, Johannesburg lies to the south.

Flights

EgyptAir has operated nonstop flights between Cairo and Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo); the flight takes roughly 8–8.5 hours. One-stop alternatives connect via Addis Ababa, Nairobi or Gulf hubs.

The flight time shown (8 h 20 min) assumes a nonstop flight at an average of 800 km/h plus about 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Airports: Cairo International Airport (CAI) and O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).

By Road and Land Borders

There is no practical road trip: the overland route would be over 8,000 km and cross Sudan, which is not advisable because of the war that began in 2023. The journey is made by air.

About Cairo, Egypt

Egypt's capital, on the Nile just south of the delta, and one of the largest urban areas in Africa and the Middle East. Egypt is also building a New Administrative Capital east of the city, to which ministries have been moving.

About Johannesburg, South Africa

South Africa's largest city and economic centre, founded after the 1886 Witwatersrand gold rush. O.R. Tambo is the busiest airport in Africa by passenger numbers in most years and the main hub for southern Africa.

Practical Tips

• Time: Cairo and Johannesburg are on the same time while Egypt is on standard time (UTC+2, roughly November to April); from late April to late October Egypt uses summer time (UTC+3), which changes the difference by one hour.
• Currency: Cairo uses the Egyptian pound (EGP); Johannesburg uses the South African rand (ZAR).
• Visas: Entry rules between Egypt and South Africa depend on your nationality; check our visa requirements tool and official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Cairo from Johannesburg?

Cairo is 6,264 km (3,892 miles) from Johannesburg in a straight line. There is no practical road route between the two cities.

How long is the flight from Cairo to Johannesburg?

A nonstop flight takes about 8 h 20 min, based on 6,264 km at an average 800 km/h plus about 30 minutes for take-off, climb and landing. Scheduled times vary with winds and routing.

Can you travel from Cairo to Johannesburg by road?

Not in practice. The overland route is over 8,000 km and passes through Sudan, which is not advisable since the 2023 war.

What is the time difference between Cairo and Johannesburg?

Cairo and Johannesburg are on the same time while Egypt is on standard time (UTC+2, roughly November to April); from late April to late October Egypt uses summer time (UTC+3), which changes the difference by one hour.