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Excellent summer business-class value with good schedules, protected connections and an exceptionally generous baggage allowance.
A genuinely strong summer business-class fare to South Africa
Business-class return flights from Rome to Johannesburg are available from around €1,814 with Ethiopian Airlines. This is an excellent price for a long-haul premium-cabin journey during the European summer-holiday period.
The itinerary includes one protected connection in Addis Ababa each way. The outbound journey takes approximately 13 hours, while the return takes around 13 hours 10 minutes.
The schedule is another major advantage. The outbound leaves Rome at approximately 07:10 and arrives in Johannesburg at 20:10. The return departs Johannesburg at around 08:20 and lands in Rome at approximately 21:30.
There are no unpleasant middle-of-the-night arrivals, no overnight airport stop and no excessively long connection. The Addis Ababa transfers are short at approximately 1 hour 20 minutes outbound and 1 hour 15 minutes on the return.
The fare also includes an unusually generous baggage allowance: up to three checked bags of 23 kg each, two cabin bags of up to 7 kg each and one personal item. This makes the deal particularly attractive for longer holidays, safari equipment or travellers combining Johannesburg with another part of Southern Africa.
The Addis Ababa connections are short. They should be protected when all flights are booked together on one Ethiopian Airlines ticket, but any delay may result in rebooking onto a later service.
Ethiopian Airlines uses different aircraft and business-class seat configurations. Before paying, confirm the operating aircraft and whether the long-haul sectors offer a fully flat seat.
The lowest fare may be a restricted business-class ticket, meaning changes or cancellations are permitted only for a fee. Check the final fare conditions carefully.
Seasonal note: July and August are winter in Johannesburg. Days are often dry and mild, while mornings and evenings can be cold. This can be a very good period for safari travel because vegetation is thinner and animals may be easier to spot around water sources.
Best for: premium travellers, safari trips, South Africa holidays, travellers carrying significant luggage and anyone looking for an affordable long-haul business-class experience.
Less ideal for: travellers who require a guaranteed specific seat type or anyone uncomfortable with short airport connections.
Need help finding the best flight for your trip?
For €15, Dino can personally research flight options for your trip — including alternative routes, nearby airports, baggage rules, layovers, airline quality and possible hidden costs.
Where to stay in Johannesburg: affordable apartments or comfortable Sandton hotels
Johannesburg offers surprisingly affordable accommodation, making it easy to begin a South African holiday with a comfortable stay without significantly increasing the overall trip cost.
For our sample search from 15/07 to 17/07, simple but well-rated apartments were available from approximately €30 per night. This can be an especially practical option for couples, families or travellers who appreciate additional space and basic cooking facilities.
Travellers looking for more comfort can find well-rated 4-star hotels from around €70 per night in established areas such as Sandton. When travelling as a couple, that works out at approximately €35 per person per night — still excellent value for an upscale stay.
Sandton is a popular choice for international visitors because it offers modern hotels, shopping centres, restaurants and convenient transport connections. Areas such as Rosebank can also provide a good balance of accommodation, dining and access to the Gautrain network.
Dino recommends spending approximately two nights in Johannesburg. This gives you enough time to recover from the journey, explore selected city attractions and prepare for the next stage of your South African adventure.
After Johannesburg, consider continuing towards Kruger National Park for a safari, flying to Cape Town, or travelling towards the coast for beaches, scenery and a longer road trip. Johannesburg works best as the gateway to a wider South African itinerary rather than the only destination.
Dino tip: Johannesburg is a large city, so location matters. Choose accommodation in a well-reviewed neighbourhood, arrange reliable airport transport and avoid selecting a property based on price alone. Check recent guest feedback regarding the immediate surroundings, security arrangements and transport access.
Search and compare hotels in Johannesburg →Sample prices were checked for 15–17 July for two adults. Accommodation prices and availability can change quickly. Always check the final total, exact location, recent guest reviews, security arrangements, airport transfers, cancellation conditions and distance from public transport before booking.
Complete Your Trip
Flights and accommodation are the big pieces — now make the journey smoother. Below are three useful extras for this trip: activities, mobile data and airport transfers.
Find tours, day trips, food experiences and activities to make this trip more memorable. A useful place to compare things to do before you travel.
Land with mobile data ready and avoid searching for SIM cards or relying on airport Wi-Fi. A simple option for staying connected while travelling.
A useful option for airport transfers, especially when arriving late, travelling with luggage, or landing somewhere unfamiliar for the first time.
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