Figuring out when the cheapest time to travel to Africa from the US is quite a challenge, even for a savvy traveler. But don’t let this stop you from planning a heart-warming family reunion in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, or whichever country your loved ones live in! ASAP Tickets’ travel experts have analyzed extensive data to pinpoint the cheapest time to travel to Africa and the airlines offering the best-priced deals.
Whether you’re planning to visit family, return home, or explore new horizons, knowing how to book cheap flights to Africa can save you hundreds of dollars.
Here’s where you can really start saving. Many of the best flight deals to Africa aren’t shown online. Talking to robots can be tough. You speak to a real person who works with you to find the most convenient and affordable way to fly. You can call us at any time of the day.
Now that you know how to book cheap flights to Africa, let ASAP Tickets do the hard part for you.
How to BOOK CHEAP FLIGHTS (Tricks that ACTUALLY work)
Understanding the Basics
Putting aside direct flights from the US to Africa, even one or two-stop flights will cost over $600 during the low season and more than $1000 during high season. And that’s only talking about East Coast departures.
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Besides the obvious (basic rules for booking plane tickets to Africa) and the not-so-obvious (such as unpublished airfares) ways to minimize the flight costs, there are at least three more separate tips that usually only travel agents know. Luckily, we are African Travel Experts.
ASAP Tickets has over 15 years of experience in international air travel. Our expert travel agents work hard to find cheap flights to Africa. Whether you are going to West or East Africa, Central, or South, we will ensure you get the lowest airfares to Africa.
Here are some key strategies to consider:
- Book in Advance: For cheap flights to Africa, book at least 2-5 months in advance. Some of the best deals are found 90-120 days before departure.
- Be Flexible with Travel Dates: Sometimes, you can save even more by delaying or moving up your trip by just a week. Let your travel agent know if you’re flexible on departure and return dates.
- Consider Midweek Travel: Midweek travel (Tuesday or Wednesday) is often cheaper than weekend departures. Fridays are also more expensive days to travel.
Long-haul flights that leave on a Thursday and return on a Monday usually cost about 20% less than those that leave on a Friday and return on the weekend.
To make it simple for you, we’ve compiled a detailed table showcasing the best times and airlines for your trip. We’ve checked our past flight data and found some of the cheapest times to travel to Africa. These are historical averages, so they may vary a little each year.
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Top Airlines for Affordable Flights to Africa
The following premium airlines will provide you with everything!
- Emirates: This airline needs no introduction because they have been awarded as the World’s Best Airline many times. Emirates is well known for operating one of the youngest fleets in the world (6.2 years).
- South African Airways: South African Airways is the flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa. The airline flies to 56 destinations worldwide, in 26 countries. It is one of the few airlines that offer services to all six inhabited continents. Thanks to their on-demand in-flight entertainment system, boredom is not an option! There are over 100 movies to enjoy, up to 100 TV features including series, comedy and kids programs. If that’s not enough, there are also 170 albums, 14 radio channels, and 15 games. SAA also offers a selection of high-quality, internationally inspired dishes. Award-winning South African wines are complimentary and complementary to your meal!
- Ethiopian Airlines: A leader for almost 70 years, it is Africa’s largest and most profitable airline - with awards to prove it! It flies to more destinations in Africa than any other airline. Their onboard services include complimentary drinks, blankets, pillows and amenity kits. Last, but not least, EA offers complimentary accommodation for certain passengers.
- Those with forced layers of 8-24 hours in Addis Ababa.
- Those coming from cities with no morning arrival at Washington Dulles International Airport.
- Turkish Airlines: The national flag carrier airline of Turkey. It operates to 290 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Turkish Airlines is the fourth-largest carrier in the world by the number of destinations. Turkish Airlines flies to 115 countries, more than any other airline. Of course, they also offer cheap flights to Africa. Turkish Airlines’ award-winning service will make your flight a truly special experience. Flight Camera - footage of takeoff and landing from cameras mounted on the front and back of the airplane.
- Brussels Airlines: The flag carrier and largest airline of Belgium. Brussels Airlines connects US and Africa through their hub in Brussels. It operates flights to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Liberia, Cameroon, Congo and many other African destinations. Their onboard services will make your flight to Africa relaxing and enjoyable. Their amazing in-flight system has one of the largest touch screens in economy class. The ergonomic seats have an adjustable leather headrest & generous leg space. Food & beverages include a choice of hot meals with a fresh salad and dessert. Complimentary drinks are available throughout the flight, and there is even ice cream! Find your cheap plane tickets to Africa with Brussels Airlines here.
Leveraging Stopover Programs
Flights to Africa often involve long layovers or multiple stops. or Canada can take many hours. However, booking your flights to Africa with a stopover doesn’t have to mean long waits in airports. These programs can include free hotels, meals, discounted luxury stays, and even short-stay visas for sightseeing.
This guide explains the best Africa-bound stopover hubs for 2025. A well-planned stopover can make a big difference in your trip.
- Break up a long journey, which reduces fatigue.
- Offer you a chance to explore a second destination.
- Provide free or discounted hotels, meals, and tours.
- Sometimes reduce the cost of your ticket.
The key is knowing which hubs and airlines offer the most benefits.
Airline Stopover Programs
- Emirates Airlines (Dubai Connect):
- Be the shortest available connection for your route. If a faster option exists, you won’t qualify.
- Have a layover in Dubai of 8-26 hours for Economy and Premium Economy, or 6-26 hours for Business and First Class.
- Meet the minimum fare requirement: at least US $700 for a one-way or US $1,000 for a return trip starting in the Americas, Africa, Europe, or Asia.
- Be booked under one ticket with Emirates or an eligible codeshare, operating through Terminal 3.
- Be booked for Dubai Connect at least 24 hours before arrival in Dubai.
- Allow you to enter the UAE (visa rules apply).
Even if you don’t meet the free program’s requirements, Emirates also sells affordable stopover packages with hotel stays, transfers, and activities.
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- Qatar Airways (Discover Qatar Stopover): Qatar Airways offers the Discover Qatar Stopover program, which brings real value and flexibility to your layover. Plus, you can add airport transfers and choose exciting activities-like a desert safari, a stroll through Souq Waqif, or a round of golf-at special rates to make your stopover feel like a mini-vacation.
- You must hold a confirmed ticket with Qatar Airways, a codeshare partner, or an airline in the oneworld alliance.
- Travelers from over 100 countries can enter Qatar visa-free, but if you’re not eligible, you can easily add a Qatar Transit Visa to your stopover booking.
- Doha is a great choice if you’re heading to destinations like Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, or Lagos.
- Turkish Airlines (Touristanbul): Turkish Airlines makes long layovers in Istanbul rewarding. Whether you’re flying via Accra, Lagos, Nairobi, or Johannesburg, these options turn a long layover into a refreshing pause-or even a mini holiday. You can either unwind at a nice hotel or experience Istanbul’s rich culture with guided sightseeing.
- Saudia (96-hour Transit Visa): Saudia offers a 96-hour transit Visa (Stopover Visa), allowing travelers to leave the airport and explore Saudi Arabia for up to four days.
- Stay up to 96 hours (4 days) in Saudi Arabia before your onward flight.
- Ideal for routes to West Africa (e.g., Lagos, Accra) or East Africa (e.g., Nairobi, Addis Ababa) when flying with Saudia or Flynas.
- A short city break or restful night can make your journey less tiring and more scenic-worth calling ASAP Tickets about.
- Ethiopian Airlines: Ethiopian Airlines turns layovers into perks. If your layover in Addis Ababa is between 8 and 24 hours, you may qualify for a free stopover package, regardless of your travel class.
- A free hotel night, typically at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, one of Africa’s largest and located near the airport.
- Your arrival and departure must be on the same ticket with Ethiopian Airlines.
- Your layover must be between 8-24 hours.
- There must be no shorter connection available at booking time.
- You don’t need to pre-book the hotel-it’s automatically included if eligible. At check-in, request your stopover vouchers. If not handed over, go to the transit desk at the airport upon arrival.Show your voucher at immigration. You’ll likely stay in one of them.
- Royal Air Maroc: Royal Air Maroc offers helpful perks during long layovers at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport.
- Less than 4 hours: Staff will assist you in the transit zone to ensure smooth connections.
- 4-8 hours: You’ll receive a meal voucher valid during designated meal times (breakfast 5-10 am, lunch 11:30 am-2:30 pm, dinner 7-10 pm). You’ll also enjoy access to the Oasis Transit Lounge.
- Over 8 hours (staying within the airport): You get a meal voucher, and if available, a hotel room in the transit area.
- If you plan to leave the airport, you must verify whether you need a Morocco transit visa or exit permit, based on your nationality.
- Royal Air Maroc’s service is especially useful if you’re routed through Casablanca on your way to destinations like Dakar, Abidjan, or Conakry.
Choosing the right hub depends on your final destination and your priorities. For example, if you want luxury and shopping, Dubai is a good fit.
Essential Tips for Stopover Planning
- Check the rules: Some perks require specific fare classes or booking directly with the airline.
- Know the visa requirements: Even short stays can require a visa.
- Plan the timing: Many benefits start only after a layover of at least eight hours.
- Book early: Stopover hotels can fill quickly during peak seasons.
Finding the right stopover is more than picking a city. Suggest stopovers that give the best value for your trip. Make sure you meet the rules for hotels and visas.
Book flights that save you money and add a second destination to your journey. Call 844-300-7983 today.
Exploring Layovers in Key Cities
It takes quite a lot of time to travel to Africa and the Middle East and often includes a layover. The multi-stop flight to Africa and the Middle East, however, can not only save you cash but also bring amazing memories.
Casablanca, Ataturk, Cairo, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Addis Ababa, and Johannesburg are the most popular layover points for multi-stop flights to Africa and The Middle East.
You’ll be amazed that these incredible airports are very modern and passenger-friendly.
We’ve gathered some The Middle East and Africa Travel Tips on how to make the most of your multi-city trip and time spent in an unknown city.
Some airports offer services for a layover, others do not. Here are some tips for making the most of your layover in key cities:
- Casablanca: Casablanca Airport is located outside the city, therefore layover time should always be considered. If it’s three hours, you could visit the nearest neighborhoods Bouskuora and Californie. Both suburbs have amazing massive houses, green gardens, and golf courses. Six hours allow the opportunity to explore Casablanca further. Take a train to the Old Medina to stop at Casa Port from the airport and see some of the beauty of Casablanca. Walk from the railway station to the Medina and watch narrow streets with endless stalls filled with traditional handmade items, women offering henna tattoos, leather clothing, and more. Stop at any Medina restaurant and eat deep-fried seafood together with mint tea. After spending a good couple of hours inside the Old Medina, discover the New Medina, enjoy its wide streets, white buildings with a Europe-meets-Morocco kind of architecture, and wooden doors and stairs.
- Ataturk (Istanbul): Ataturk airport is Europe’s fourth busiest airport. During the layover, you could visit TAV Gallery in the International terminal and check out the artwork, which is inspired by Turkish Nature. Additionally, the airport has a variety of shops and dining options. You can buy local specialties like halva and Turkish delight at a market-inspired shops, which are designed to look similar to a real market. Taxi, Havatas airport shuttle and the metro are the only options for those who want to visit the city center.
- Cairo: Central Cairo is located 13.5 miles away from the airport, making it possible for you to get out of the airport and see some of the landmarks. You can use the airport’s Shuttle Bus that can take you to any of the destinations: Heliopolis, Nasr-City, Downtown Cairo, Giza, Mohandesin, Zamalek, Maadi, and Haram (the Pyramids area). Buses depart every half hour and charges in Egyptian pounds. You could do it on your own or book a tour. There is also plenty to do at the Cairo airport for travelers stuck on a layover. There are a number of amenities at the airport, including hotel staff who can book a room for you, tourism offices, hotels and cafes, banks, lounges, duty-free shopping, and medical services. The airport seems to have little choice of food, but there are eateries with Middle Eastern, international, and Western cuisine.
- Doha: Qatar Airways has partnered with the Qatar Tourism Authority to provide a free Doha tour for transit travelers, meaning you don’t have to travel or set up your own itinerary. Tour highlights include the Pearl Qatar, Katara Cultural Village, the Museum for Islamic Art, and the Souq Waqif.
- Abu Dhabi: There are a few ways to keep you comfortable if you’re at Abu Dhabi Airport with a layover. There are plenty of boutiques and cafes, many are accessible 24 hours a day. If you’ve got 3+ hours and choose to get out of the airport, the Al Ghazal Golf Club offers golfers a wonderful way to stretch legs between flights. Additionally, you could visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the city’s most iconic landmark. Furthermore, visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the company new region of the iconic art museum. The public bus connects all airport terminals with the city center. With dozens of dining options, you’ll undoubtedly find something delicious to eat. Middle Eastern, Indian, Thai, Italian, Irish, Tex Mex, and Japanese cuisine are all available. Shopping is a serious activity here, with seemingly endless Duty-Free areas and a whole host of international boutiques.
- Dubai: Dubai Airport is located just a few minutes from the Dubai city center. Combined with easy transit options and a layover of at least 5 hours, checking out the city may be the best way for you to pass the time until your next flight. Plenty of tour operators offer half- or full-day excursions in and around the city.
- Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa is one of the layover points at a multi-stop flight to Africa, India, and the Middle East. Ethiopian Airlines offers cheap flights to these otherwise-hard-to-reach destinations. So many travelers find themselves with a long layover in Addis Ababa either at the beginning of their Ethiopia journeys or en route to somewhere else. Travelers and locals recommend visiting Ethiopian Ethnological Museum, Africa Hall, Trinity Cathedral, St. Addis Ababa is a huge city, with lots of different neighborhoods and traffic. Fortunately, the parts of interest to tourists are in a relatively compact area.
- Johannesburg: Johannesburg Airport is another popular layover point taking a multi-stop flight to Africa has multiple shopping and dining areas. Two viewing areas are a quieter place to watch planes coming and going. Each terminal has an observation area. If you want to stick to public transit, you can ride the Gautrain to Sandton, a shopping district known as “Africa’s Richest Square Mile”. You can spend your time here, or switch to a train line that connects to downtown Johannesburg. Get your excursion started at Constitution Hill, a former prison that today describes the tumultuous history of the 20th century here. The Apartheid Museum is another must-see, though it is south of the city center. Visit the hipster-feeling Maboneng neighborhood - a successful example of urban renewal. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Delta Park are good respites from the city.
No matter where you would like to go to Africa, our expert travel agents can help you find the best value deals for your travel dates.
Additional Tips for Affordable Travel
- Consider Nearby Airports: Also, flying into a nearby airport and taking ground transportation can sometimes cut costs. While the distances may be long, it can make sense if you’ve got friends you want to visit in another city. Nairobi vs. Mombasa Lagos vs. Abuja Johannesburg vs. Also, remember you can always spend a couple of days in one of these cities and then take a cheap local flight to your final destination.
- Unpublished Airfares: Here’s where you can really start saving. Many of the best flight deals to Africa aren’t shown online. Flights to Africa often involve long layovers or multiple stops. You speak to a real person who works with you to find the most convenient and affordable way to fly. You can call us at any time of the day.
- Promotions and Discounts: ASAP Tickets runs regular promotions, including limited-time discount codes and seasonal sales.
- Book in Advance: For cheap flights to Africa, book at least 2-5 months in advance. Some of the best deals are found 90-120 days before departure. Need to travel soon?
- Peace of Mind: When you book with ASAP Tickets, you don’t just save, you get peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find affordable flights to Africa?
Booking your flight several months in advance is generally a good strategy to secure lower fares.
Are there special deals for travel packages to Africa?
ASAP Tickets agents can help you pick the right window to save big. You can also check out our breakdown of the cheapest times to fly to Africa by country.
How can I get flight discounts or coupons for my trip?
Now that you know how to book cheap flights to Africa, let ASAP Tickets do the hard part for you.
Embrace the Adventure: "TIA - This Is Africa"
A trip from the US to Africa seems quite challenging at first glance as it may be a long flight or include long layovers. This might discourage you and stop you from finding the cheapest plane tickets to Africa. However, there is an easy solution to your problem! We have created this useful guide to help you find the cheapest flights to Africa.
We can find the cheapest flights with the best connections and the best in-flight comfort.
Once you’ve arrived, get ready to embrace the famous expression “TIA” - This Is Africa. This basically means - expect the unexpected! Africa is so stunning, it will surprise you, and make you fall in love with it.
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