Journey Guide
Everything you need for the long-haul trip home from Asia to South Africa, step by step.
01
6–12 weeks before departure
- Book flights — prices rise steeply inside 6 weeks on this corridor
- Check passport validity (must be valid 6 months beyond your return date)
- Apply for visas required at transit hubs (Doha, Nairobi, Frankfurt etc.)
- Travelling with pets? Start the DALRRD import permit process now (allow 16–20 weeks for dogs) — see our Pet Travel Guide
- Explore cargo / shipping options if bringing significant goods — see Air Cargo & Excess Baggage
02
2–4 weeks before
- Online check-in opens 24–48h before departure — set a reminder for economy fare classes
- Select seats early; bulkhead and exit rows fill fast
- Pre-purchase excess baggage online — typically 40–60% cheaper than airport rate
- Download your airline’s app for mobile boarding passes and real-time flight alerts
- Confirm lounge access: airline status, Priority Pass, or buy a day pass in advance
- Notify your bank of travel dates to prevent card blocks
- Check SARS customs allowances for goods you’re bringing home — see Customs & SARS Hub
03
Day of departure
- Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before an international long-haul departure
- Cabin liquids: max 100ml per item, all in a 1-litre clear re-sealable bag
- Power banks must travel in cabin baggage — not in the hold
- Put on compression socks before boarding — reduces DVT risk on 10h+ flights
- Photograph your checked bag tags before dropping them — useful if baggage is delayed
- Download offline maps / entertainment before boarding in case of no Wi-Fi
04
At your hub airport
- Check your onward gate immediately on landing — large hubs can require 20+ min gate-to-gate
- Minimum connection times: DOH 60 min · NBO 90 min · FRA 45 min · ADD 60 min · SIN 60 min
- Lounge access — see our Lounge Guide for hub-specific tips
- DOH (Qatar): Al Mourjan is world-class for Business; Al Safwa transit hotel available for long layovers
- NBO (Kenya): Pride Lounge for Business; Priority Pass accepted at Simba Lounge
- ADD (Ethiopian): Cloud 9 Lounge — decent food, limited seating
05
Arriving in South Africa (JNB / CPT / DUR)
- SARS customs: declare goods exceeding your R5,000 exemption (R25,000 for returning residents)
- Unaccompanied baggage or sea freight — have Form DA 306 ready before arrival
- Cash: max R25,000 (ZAR + foreign combined) without a declaration form
- OR Tambo Arrivals Forex desks have poor rates — use the ABSA or Nedbank ATM inside the terminal instead
- Pets arriving on a later flight — arrange a DALRRD clearance agent in advance (they handle the paperwork on your behalf)
- Gautrain from OR Tambo to Sandton takes 15 min (R200); to Pretoria about 40 min (R200)
Tip: For the latest SARS duty rates and returning-resident rebate details, visit our
Customs & SARS Hub.