Flights to Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ)

Discover Port Elizabeth

Flying from the US to the balmy and historic Port Elizabeth in South Africa is a very long trek that might not be the easiest for inexperienced travelers, but it’s well worth the trouble if you’re interested in experiencing one of the best destinations in South Africa.

Port Elizabeth is very inexpensive once you’ve arrived, but it tends to be a bit expensive to get there so be sure to use our flight booking tool by putting in your desired date of travel and other appropriate information so you’ll save a penny here or there.

Airlines That Fly To Port Elizabeth

You can reach Port Elizabeth by flying with Mango Air, Fly Safair, British Airways Comair, and SAA. Port Elizabeth isn’t a very large city, and it relies mostly on local airlines rather than established international lines you may be more familiar with.

A good strategy to get to Port Elizabeth is to take an international airline to a hub like Dubai, where there will be connections to African regional airlines to take you the rest of the way in short hops.

When To Book A Flight To Port Elizabeth?

Port Elizabeth is hot all year round and is a busy tourism destination for that same reason. Summer tends to get especially busy, so expect to pay a little bit more during that period. Regardless of the season, the cheapest flights will take you on multiple small legs through the East African coastline, typically flying on smaller planes operated by local airlines.

Be sure to use our price alert tool so that you’ll know exactly when you can purchase your ticket and get the best rate possible.

What To Expect When Arriving In Port Elizabeth?

Port Elizabeth’s Airport is a mere two miles from downtown and is sparse on amenities. You should grab your bags as quickly as possible as theft can be an issue, and there is no currency exchange to make use of.

You’ll need to hire a taxi to travel from Port Elizabeth’s Airport to the downtown area, which should take about ten minutes and cost less than five dollars. There is a regimented rate for fares from the airport to downtown, but sometimes you can skirt the fees if your cabbie is feeling generous.

What To See And Do In Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is a great town for relaxing by the beach or exploring historical areas that are replete with attractive architecture from the pre-World War 2 period. Try walking along “Route 67,” a walking pathway that has 67 small monuments to South Africa’s history. It’s quite a long trail, but you can stop for a rest at the Vuysile Market Square and have a snack about midway through.

Port Elizabeth is also known for its vibrant sports scene, with many cricket, rugby, and field hockey teams originating from individual neighborhoods. The biggest cricket matches occur in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, which may be worth checking out even if you aren’t a sports fan.

Check out our hotels page for information on how you can find a hotel in Port Elizabeth.