Book Cheap Flights to Francistown from UK

Cheap Flights to Francistown from the UK

Flights from the UK to Francistown connect through Johannesburg, with a total journey time of 14-20 hours. Francistown Airport (FRW) is located 5 km from the city centre.

Airlines serving the route include British Airways (Via Johannesburg), South African Airways (Via Johannesburg), Ethiopian Airlines (Via Addis Ababa + Johannesburg), among others. From Johannesburg, Air Botswana / Airlink operates the connecting leg to Francistown, taking around 1 hour from Johannesburg.

Expect to pay £650-800 for a return economy ticket in low season, climbing to £1,000-1,300+ in peak periods. Booking early and flying midweek gives the best chance of lower fares.

Francistown is Botswana's second-largest city and the oldest formal town in the country, originally built on gold mining. It's a practical transit point for travellers heading to Nata, the Makgadikgadi Pans, or up to Kasane and Chobe.

Francistown Airport (FRW) - Facilities & Travel Guide

Francistown Airport (FRW) serves Francistown, Botswana. Located 5 km from the city centre, it handles domestic flights with international connections available through larger hub airports. The airport provides basic to moderate facilities depending on the scale of operations.

Francistown Airport provides the following facilities:

Terminal: Compact terminal with check-in and boarding.
Car Hire: Available from Avis and local operators.
Refreshments: Small cafe or vending machines.
ATMs: Available in the terminal area.
Safari Transfers: Many lodges arrange direct pick-ups from the airport.

Taxis operate from the airport. Fares to central Francistown are around 50-80 BWP (about £3-5). Car hire is available at the airport.

Travel tips for Francistown:

Visa: UK nationals don't need a visa for stays under 90 days.
Cash: Botswana Pula (BWP) is the local currency. US dollars and South African Rand widely accepted at lodges.
Health: Malaria prophylaxis recommended for northern Botswana.
Driving: Drive on the left. 4x4 recommended outside main roads.

Flight Times to Francistown

There are no direct flights from the UK to Francistown. All routes require at least one connection. Total journey time is 14-20 hours depending on airline and layover duration.

Typical journey times by routing:

Via Johannesburg (British Airways): Around 14-18 hours total.
Via Johannesburg (South African Airways): Around 14-18 hours total.
Via Addis Ababa + Johannesburg (Ethiopian Airlines): Around 14-18 hours total.
Via Nairobi + Johannesburg (Kenya Airways): Around 14-18 hours total.
Via Dubai + Johannesburg (Emirates Airways): Around 14-18 hours total.

Layover tips:

Johannesburg (OR Tambo) is the main connection hub. Allow at least 2-3 hours between flights.
Overnight in Johannesburg: City Lodge and Protea hotels are inside or near the airport.
Domestic connections to Botswana often depart from Terminal B at OR Tambo. Check your boarding pass.

Francistown operates on GMT+2 (which is 2 hours ahead of London in winter and 1 hour ahead of London in summer).

Airlines Flying to Francistown

British Airways

South African Airways

Ethiopian Airlines

Kenya Airways

Emirates Airways

Francistown Flight Prices

Category	Period	Average Return Fares
Economy - Low Season	January-March (wet season)	£650-800
Economy - Mid Season	April-May / November-December	£800-1,000
Economy - High Season	June-October (dry/safari season)	£1,000-1,300+
Business - Low Season	January-March (wet season)	£2,500-3,500
Business - High Season	June-October (dry/safari season)	£3,500-5,000+

Booking Tips:

Book 8-12 weeks ahead for the best safari season fares.
The green season (Jan-Mar) has significantly lower prices and fewer tourists.
Compare one-ticket bookings (codeshare) against buying legs separately.
British Airways Avios points can be used on the London-Johannesburg leg.

Best Time to Book Francistown Flights

Price Patterns

Safari season (June-October) commands premium pricing. Book early for this period.

Green season (January-March) fares can be 30-40% cheaper.

British Airways sales often include the Johannesburg leg.

Sweet Spot

3-6 months ahead for peak safari season. 6-8 weeks is fine for shoulder and green season.

Avoid Booking

Less than a month before travel during safari season.

UK summer holidays (July-August) when family travel pushes up the Johannesburg route.

Christmas/New Year.

Things to Do in Francistown

Supa Ngwao

Explore Botswana’s history and culture at the Supa Ngwao Museum.

Tachila Park

Spot local wildlife and enjoy open landscapes at Tachila Nature Reserve.

Galo Mall

Shop, dine, and relax at Galo Mall in the heart of the city.

Domboshaba Ruins

Visit the ancient stone walls of Domboshaba Ruins for a glimpse into early civilisation.

City Markets

Browse local stalls, meet friendly vendors, and experience everyday life in the city centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

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