Top 10 Cheapest Flights in Africa: The 2026 Budget Travel Guide (With Prices)

Let’s be honest: flying in Africa has a reputation for breaking the bank. For years, it was often cheaper to fly from Lagos to London than from Lagos to Dakar.

But the narrative is changing.

As we head into 2026, a surge of “Low-Cost Carriers” (LCCs) and hybrid airlines is finally democratizing African skies. Whether you are a business traveler in Nigeria or a backpacker in Cape Town, you don’t need a legacy carrier budget anymore. You just need to know who to book.

I’ve analyzed the route networks and base fares to bring you the Top 10 Cheapest Flights in Africa right now.

Note: Prices below are estimated one-way base fares for late 2025/early 2026. These fluctuate wildly based on demand, especially during Detty December.

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1. FlySafair (South Africa)

The Undisputed King of Cheap

If you are in Southern Africa, FlySafair is the benchmark. They follow the Ryanair model: the ticket is dirt cheap, but you pay for everything else. Their on-time performance is consistently ranked the best on the continent.

• Why it’s cheap: They run a “Lite” fare that includes no checked bags. If you can travel with just a backpack, you save a fortune.

• Popular Route: Johannesburg (JNB) to Cape Town (CPT).

• Average Price: $45 – $65 (approx. R850 – R1,200).

• The Hack: Book their “Happy Hour” sales where tickets sometimes drop to R9 ($0.50) plus taxes.

 

2. Green Africa Airways (Nigeria)

The West African Price Slasher

Based in Lagos, Green Africa forced major competitors (like Air Peace) to lower their prices when they launched. By using fuel-efficient turboprop aircraft (ATRs) rather than jets, they burn less fuel and pass the savings to you.

• Why it’s cheap: Slower planes (propellers) mean lower operating costs. It takes 15 minutes longer, but you save cash.

• Popular Route: Lagos (LOS) to Abuja (ABV).

• Average Price: $35 – $50 (approx. ₦65,000 – ₦90,000).

• The Hack: Book the “gSaver” fare at least 3 weeks out. Last-minute bookings in Nigeria are never cheap.

 

3. Jambojet (Kenya)

The East African Explorer

A subsidiary of Kenya Airways, Jambojet handles the domestic heavy lifting. They are the go-to for tourists heading to the coast or locals commuting for business. They are reliable and strictly low-cost.

• Why it’s cheap: High frequency, they fly the Nairobi-Mombasa route so often that they can afford to sell seats cheaper than the bus-and-train alternatives when booked early.

• Popular Route: Nairobi (NBO) to Mombasa (MBA).

• Average Price: $50 – $70 (approx. KES 6,500 – KES 9,000).

• The Hack: Sign up for “JamboRewards.” The points stack up fast if you fly this route often.

 

4. Air Arabia Egypt (Egypt/North Africa)

The Cross-Continent Connector

While technically an offshoot of a UAE airline, Air Arabia Egypt is a massive player in North Africa. They bridge the gap between African hubs and the Middle East/Europe for a fraction of legacy prices.

• Why it’s cheap: They operate out of secondary airports (like Borg El Arab instead of Cairo International) to save on landing fees.

• Popular Route: Alexandria (HBE) to Jeddah (JED) or Bergamo (Italy).

• Average Price: $70 – $110.

• The Hack: Use them to exit Africa cheaply. You can often get to Italy for under $100.

 

5. ValueJet (Nigeria)

The “Hybrid” Value Option

ValueJet positions itself between a luxury carrier and a low-cost carrier. For domestic travel within Nigeria, they are currently offering some of the most competitive “promo” fares to compete with Green Africa and Ibom Air.

• Why it’s cheap: They run a lean operation with CRJ jets that are perfectly sized for Nigerian routes—not too big to fill, not too small to be uncomfortable.

• Popular Route: Lagos (LOS) to Port Harcourt (PHC).

• Average Price: $45 – $60 (approx. ₦80,000 – ₦100,000).

• The Hack: Look for their “Value Lite” ticket options, which strip away flexibility for a lower price.

 

6. Fastjet (Zimbabwe)

The Regional Bus-Replacement

Fastjet has survived where many others failed. They are essential for moving between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Before Fastjet, this route was dominated by expensive national carriers or dangerous long-distance buses.

• Why it’s cheap: They focus on high-demand tourism and migrant labor routes, ensuring full planes.

• Popular Route: Harare (HRE) to Johannesburg (JNB).

• Average Price: $90 – $120.

• The Hack: Luggage is expensive here. Pre-book your bags online; never pay at the airport counter.

 

7. LIFT (South Africa)

Flexible & Fun

LIFT disrupted the South African market not just with price, but with flexibility. They realized that budget travelers hate losing money when plans change.

• Why it’s cheap: Their base fares are competitive, but the real value is that they offer free changes on many ticket classes—saving you the cost of a new ticket if you miss a flight.

• Popular Route: Johannesburg (JNB) to Durban (DUR).

• Average Price: $35 – $55 (approx. R650 – R1,000).

• The Hack: They serve complimentary coffee from decent local brands. It’s a small perk, but rare for budget airlines.

 

8. Air Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)

The “Cheapest” International Connector

Flying between West African countries (e.g., Lagos to Abidjan or Accra) is notoriously expensive due to government taxes. However, Air Côte d’Ivoire often has the most aggressive pricing for these short international hops compared to Askky or Air Peace.

• Why it’s cheap: Heavily subsidized to promote Abidjan as a hub.

• Popular Route: Lagos (LOS) to Abidjan (ABJ).

• Average Price: $200 – $280 (High compared to domestic, but cheap for the region).

• The Hack: Join their “sMiles” program immediately.

 

9. Air Cairo (Egypt)

The Red Sea Shuttle

If you are looking for a holiday, Air Cairo is the low-cost leisure arm of EgyptAir. They connect Cairo to the beach resorts.

• Why it’s cheap: It is dedicated to high-volume tourism.

• Popular Route: Cairo (CAI) to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH).

• Average Price: $50 – $80.

• The Hack: Book via their website, not through OTA (Online Travel Agencies), as they often hide exclusive domestic deals from international search engines.

 

10. Ibom Air (Nigeria)

Best Value for Money (Reliability)

Ibom Air isn’t always the cheapest on paper—Green Africa usually beats them by ₦5,000 or ₦10,000. However, in the SEO world of travel, “cheap” includes the cost of your time. Ibom Air is the most on-time airline in Nigeria.

• Why it’s a winner: You won’t spend money on hotels because your flight was cancelled.

• Popular Route: Uyo (QUO) to Lagos (LOS).

• Average Price: $55 – $80 (approx. ₦95,000 – ₦140,000).

• The Hack: Book the 6:00 AM flights. They are cheaper and almost guaranteed to leave on time.