Getting There

Eswatini (Swaziland) is dwarfed by its giant neighbour, South Africa, but with Mbabane being only a few hours from Johannesburg, it does benefit from the good access into that international hub. Access into Eswatini from Johannesburg can be by road or air.

International Travel to Eswatini

The following table lists the most common countries of origin for international visitors to Eswatini. The table includes a link to their official government website detailing their current travel advisories for Eswatini. Also in the table are links to a list of tour operators in each country that sell Eswatini, pre-filtered from our International Tour Operators & Travel Agents selling Eswatini page. For the countries that may not have an Eswatini-specialist tour operator, you can navigate to the full international list to find a tour operator you wish to contact.

Country of Departure	Travel Advisory	Tour Operators
Argentina	Click to View	Full List
Austria	Click to View	Click to View
Belgium	Click to View	Click to View
Brazil	Click to View	Click to View
Bulgaria	Click to View	Full List
Canada	Click to View	Click to View
Czech Republic	Click to View	Click to View
Denmark	Click to View	Click to View
Finland	Click to View	Click to View
France	Click to View	Click to View
Germany	Click to View	Click to View
India	Click to View	Click to View
Ireland	Click to View	Full List
Italy	Click to View	Click to View
Japan	Click to View	Full List
Norway	Click to View	Click to View
Poland	Click to View	Full List
Portugal	Click to View	Full List
South Africa	Click to View	Click to View
Spain	Click to View	Click to View
Sweden	Click to View	Click to View
Switzerland	Click to View	Click to View
The Netherlands	Click to View	Click to View
Turkey	Click to View	Click to View
United Kingdom	Click to View	Click to View
United States	Click to View	Click to View

Flights to Eswatini

Eswatini’s modern King Mswati III International airport is currently connected directly to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Airlink has a number of flights each day between KM3 and Johannesburg whilst Eswatini Air (launched in 2023) serves Johennesburg, Cape Town and Harare.

In 2024 Eswatini Air launched a free shuttle bus service for customers using its flights, between King Mswati III airport and Manzini, Matsapha, Ezulwini & Mbabane. Alternatively, taxis from the airport can be booked through Leap Taxi.

For an insight into what it’s like travelling with Eswatini Air from King Mswati III International Airport, please take a look at this blog.

Intercontinental Flights to Johannesburg

Johannesburg is very well served by airlines from around the world with a number of European, African, Middle Eastern and American airlines all flying direct. The latest details of routes into Johannesburg can be found on this link. For London, British Airways, South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic all operate two or three daily non-stop flights. Flight prices are dependent on the time of year, with flights to Johannesburg getting more expensive around the Christmas period. Non-direct flights in most cases will be cheaper, but shop around to make sure you get the best deal.

Entering Eswatini by Road

Driving into Eswatini is relatively easy, provided you drive sensibly and avoid the pot holes, ramshackle settlements, pedestrians and wandering livestock found on many of the roads leading into the country.

There is no Bureau to change currency, however the gate does accept South African rand. Most South African car hire companies will allow you to bring vehicles over the border. Find out more information here. Certain documentation is required to enter Eswatini by road, depending on the ownership of the vehicle, as follows:

Company car

Valid Passport
Driver licence
Letter from the company that you are given the access to drive the vehicle
Blue book (Registration Document)

Rented vehicle

Letter from the Car Hire
Valid driver licence
Valid passport

Own vehicle but still paying for it.

Letter from the bank
Blue book (Registration Document)
Valid passport
Valid driver licence

Own vehicle and fully paid.

Blue book (Registration Document)
Valid passport
Valid driver licence

Borrowed from relative/friend

Affidavit
I.D copy of the owner of the vehicle
Blue book (Registration Document)
Valid passport
Valid driver’s licence.

Road Toll Fees

Eswatini Revenue Authority road toll fees for vehicles entering Eswatini are as follows as from 1 October 2025:

Class of Motor Vehicle	Fee (Foreign Registered)	Fee (Local Registered Commercial)
Motorcycle with our without a side car	E80.00
Light Motor Vehicle with or without trailer	E150.00	E55.00
Heavy Motor Vehicle with 2 Axles: above 3,500kg but less than 7,500kg	E350.00	E60.00
Heavy Motor Vehicle with 3 Axles: above 7,500kg	E400.00 Vehicles entering through Mhlumeni or Lomahasha borders pay an equivalent to 100 United States Dollar (US$ 100.00) per truck	E80.00
Heavy Motor Vehicle with 4 Axles: above 3,500kg and above 7,500kg (entering the Kingdom of Eswatini through Mhlumeni or Lomahasha borders)	E450.00 Vehicles entering through Mhlumeni or Lomahasha borders pay an equivalent to 100 United States Dollar (US$ 100.00) per truck	E100.00

For further information, please see official documentation here.

Border Opening Times

Border posts are now operational during the following opening times:

Bulembu/ Josefdal : 08.00 – 16.00
Gege/ Bothashoop : 08.00 – 16.00
Lavumiso/ Golela : 0700 – 22.00
Lomahasha/Namaacha : 07.00 – 00.00
Lundzi/Waverley : 08.00 – 16.00
Mahamba : 07.00 – 22.00
Mananga : 07.00 – 18.00
Matsamo/Jeppe’s Reef : 07.00 – 20.00
Mhlumeni/Goba : 06:00 – 00:00
Ngwenya/Oshoek :24 Hours
Nsalitshe /Onverwacht : 08.00 – 18.00
Sandlane/ Nerston : 08.00 – 18.00
Sicunusa/Houdkop : 08.00 – 18.00

By Bus from South Africa & Mozambique

A number of transport companies in Eswatini provide transfers by luxury mini-bus between Eswatini and Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton). These can be easily booked to fit in with particular flight arrival/departure times. Some, including TransMagnific and Melula Travel, run regular, scheduled services which are usually a cheaper option. Depending on the company, there are 1-4 services a day in each direction with journey times around 5 hours. Fares are from R750 one-way and R140 return. TransMagnific also now offer regular services to and from Durban, Kruger, Nelspruit and Maputo. Other operators can also provide transport for those routes on request. Local buses and mini-buses can also be used to get from South Africa or Mozambique into Eswatini but any such journey may need to be made in stages.

International Tour Operators

Most operators who organise tours to southern Africa will offer Eswatini itineraries, or provide a tailor-made service. Information about companies can be found on our International Tour Operators page.

Imports & Exports

International travellers over the age of 18 may import the following Duty Free:

New or used goods, of a total value not exceeding E5000 per person
2 litres of wine
1 litre of spirituous and other alcoholic beverages
200 cigarettes and 20 cigars
250g of cigarette or pipe tobacco
50ml of perfumery and 250ml of toilet water

For VAT, all travellers (whether arriving from SACU or elsewhere) are entitled to import new or used goods duty free for their own personal use or consumption (i.e. not for resale) of up to E1 000 per person.

For further details of the Imports & Exports Rules applied by the Eswatini Revenue Service, click here.

Travelling With Children

In 2015 South Africa changed its immigration regulations with regard to travelling with children, and introduced a requirement for Unabridged Birth Certificates. In November 2019, that requirement was removed for non-SA children. The only document needed by for foreign children travelling from a visa-exempt country into South Africa is their passport (the exception being children who are travelling completely unaccompanied). The full regulations can be viewed on this page. And a sheet of FAQs on the South African requirements can be downloaded if you click here.

These are regulations that apply when travelling to and from South Africa. There were never any such regulations introduced for Eswatini itself.

Entry Requirements, Visas & Foreign Missions

International visitors travelling through South Africa to reach Eswatini will need to comply with South Africa’s own entry requirements. Further details about those can be found if you click here.

From 1 July 2026, South Africa also requires completion of an online traveller declaration in advance of travel as part of their Customs process. Click here for more.

For information about Eswatini’s own entry requirements, Visas, and Eswatini’s Diplomatic Missions around the world, see our Visa Guide.

Visa Guide