The airport is about 15 km from the city center; taxis are available.
Things to do at East London Airport (ELS)
East London AirportELS
At the airport
Things to do in East London Airport
East London is a port city on South Africa's Eastern Cape coast, in the heart of the isiXhosa cultural heartland — the region that produced Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Oliver Tambo among many other anti-apartheid leaders. The East London Museum holds a specimen of enormous significance: the coelacanth, a 'living fossil' fish presumed extinct for 65 million years until a specimen was caught off the Chalumna River in 1938, just south of the city. The nearby Wild Coast is one of South Africa's most dramatic and unspoiled stretches of shoreline.
Insider intel
Top Tips for East London Airport
- The East London Museum is centrally located and worth visiting for the coelacanth specimen alone — one of the most significant natural history artifacts in South Africa.
- East London works well as an overnight stop for driving the Wild Coast; the city itself is commercial rather than tourist-oriented.
Lounge directory
Browse lounges at ELS
1 Sanctifly partner lounge at East London Airport. Each is bookable with points.
100 points per guestBidvest Premier Lounge
At East London Airport (ELS) in East London, South Africa, the Bidvest Premier Lounge is located airside in the Main Terminal, making it a convenient airport lounge option once you’ve cleared security. After completing the security check on the ground floor, turn right and continue along the corridor; the lounge is positioned at the very end. This straightforward location is easy to follow for travel days when you want to settle in quickly before your flight, whether you’re departing East London or connecting through the terminal.Book Now
Purchase a Sanctifly membership via our website or app.
Unlock airport-specific digital content and reserve VIP lounges using the points included with your plan.
Select the tier that fits your travel habits; higher tiers include more points.
When you book a lounge, you'll receive a unique access code in the app and by email—show this at the lounge to gain access.
You can buy extra points at any time, and rates improve with higher-tier plans.
Membership unlocks airport-specific digital content and the ability to book VIP lounges using points.
Each tier
Liftoff ($25/year)
Explorer ($97/year)
Jetsetter ($220/year)
Trailblazer ($399/year)
provides a different annual points allowance (except Liftoff, which doesn't include points) that refreshes when your subscription renews. You can use your points to reserve lounge access and purchase additional points through the app if you need more.
Higher tiers not only come with more points but also reduce the per-point price when buying extra.
Points are the currency you use in the Liftoff app to book VIP lounge visits. Most plans — Liftoff, Explorer, Jetsetter and Trailblazer — include a points allowance that is deposited into your account whenever your subscription renews. Liftoff does not include points. You spend points to reserve lounges and you can top up your balance at any time through the app. If you cancel your membership, any remaining points expire 30 days after cancellation.
Additional points can be purchased directly in the Sanctifly app from your mobile. All plans allow you to buy more points whenever you need them, and the per-point price decreases on higher-tier plans. Purchased points are added to your account immediately and are non-refundable. If you cancel your membership, any remaining points expire 30 days after cancellation.