For South Africans, almost every international holiday starts with a calculation: how many hours will I spend getting there, and will it be worth it?
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Some destinations are simply too far for a quick getaway. Whether it is the other side of the Pacific or a country where travelling between regions becomes part of the experience, these destinations have enough tourism infrastructure to make the long-haul flight worthwhile.
French Polynesia
If your definition of “worth it” involves turquoise water, volcanic islands and plenty of time doing very little, French Polynesia deserves consideration. Tahiti is the main gateway, but the destination extends across dozens of islands and archipelagos. You can combine Tahiti with Moorea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa or the more remote Marquesas Islands. Despite its remote position in the Pacific, French Polynesia has a well-established tourism industry. The distance is considerable, so this is not the place for a long weekend. If you’re going to spend a lot of time, financially and physically, to get there, give yourself enough time to slow down and explore more than one island.
Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands
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For wildlife lovers, Ecuador offers a particularly compelling reason to cross an ocean. The country combines the Andes, Amazon, Pacific coast and Galápagos Islands within one relatively compact tourism destination. The Galápagos are around 1,000km from mainland Ecuador and are supported by established tourism services, including accommodation, guided excursions, diving, snorkelling, wildlife experiences and transport between islands. It is also possible to build a longer trip around mainland Ecuador, adding Quito, the Andes or Amazon before heading into the archipelago.
Rapa Nui, Chile
For something even more remote, consider Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. Reaching the island requires travelling through Santiago before taking a flight of around five and a half hours to Mataveri International Airport. The island’s tourism infrastructure is concentrated around Hanga Roa, where visitors will find accommodation, restaurants, diving operators, vehicle rental and guided tours. Many of the archaeological sites require visitors to be accompanied by an accredited local guide.
Rapa Nui is unlikely to make sense as a standalone trip from South Africa. Combine it with mainland Chile instead, perhaps adding Santiago, the Atacama Desert or Patagonia. That turns an exceptionally long journey into a substantial South American adventure.
Japan
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Japan is a serious commitment from South Africa, particularly when connections are involved, but its excellent transport infrastructure makes exploring the country surprisingly straightforward once you arrive.
Tokyo and Osaka provide obvious starting points, while Kyoto offers temples, traditional neighbourhoods and historic architecture. The country’s extensive rail network also makes it possible to travel between major destinations without hiring a car. From Tokyo, the shinkansen reaches Kyoto in about two hours and 20 minutes, while Kyoto itself is connected to surrounding areas by trains and buses.
Japan also rewards a longer stay. Instead of flying halfway around the world for a few days in one city, travellers can combine Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and rural regions into one substantial trip.
Australia
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Australia is among the most obvious long-haul choices for South Africans, and its scale means you can easily turn one flight into a multi-region adventure. Sydney and Melbourne offer major-city experiences, while Queensland brings the Great Barrier Reef, tropical islands and rainforest. Further inland, Uluru provides a very different landscape and an opportunity to learn about Anangu culture. Tourism Australia has established itineraries connecting these very different environments. One suggested 10-day route covers Sydney, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef across 6,500km using planes, cars and boats. There is also an increasingly useful air link between the two countries. A direct Qantas service between Johannesburg and Perth was launched in late 2025, giving South African travellers another route into Australia.
New Zealand
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New Zealand is another destination where the flight is only the beginning. A South African traveller can spend hours in the air and still need to cross an entire country once they land. Fortunately, New Zealand has an extensive tourism network, with accommodation, rental vehicles, guided tours, buses, domestic flights, ferries and scenic rail journeys available across the country. That makes it particularly suited to a two- or three-week trip. Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington can be combined with the South Island’s mountains, fjords and adventure towns. A self-drive itinerary is especially appealing for travellers who want to turn the distance between destinations into part of the holiday.
The common thread between these destinations is simple: the flight is only worth enduring if the holiday itself is long enough to justify it. Think beyond a five-day escape and plan a trip that makes the distance part of the experience.
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