Mthatha to Soweto flights
Soweto lies 598 km (372 mi) north of Mthatha, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 31 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Mthatha | Soweto | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | South Africa | South Africa |
| Population | 164,848 | 1.7 million |
| Elevation | 694 m (2,277 ft) | 1,632 m (5,354 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) |
| Nearest large airport | UTT, 12 km out | HLA, 37 km out |
Airports at each end
Leaving Mthatha
Mthatha is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is K. D. Matanzima Airport (UTT), 12 km (7 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 8,530 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
Arriving in Soweto
Soweto is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Lanseria International Airport (HLA), 37 km (23 mi) from the centre, whose 10,000-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB, 41 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanseria International Airport | HLA | 37 km (23 mi) | 10,000 ft | 4,517 ft |
| O.R. Tambo International Airport | JNB | 41 km (25 mi) | 14,495 ft | 5,558 ft |
Book a flight to Soweto
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Flights are sold here by AirOrSeaTravel through our booking partner, Nuitée, which takes the payment; the ticket is issued by the airline. How this works.
Staying in Soweto
Our booking partner lists 33 places to stay in Soweto. Of the 16 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (9). Guests have left 1,436 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Soweto
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Soweto from Mthatha?
598 km (372 mi) in a straight line, north of Mthatha.
How long does it take to get from Mthatha to Soweto by air?
About 1 h 31 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Mthatha and Soweto?
No, both are on Africa/Johannesburg at the moment.
Which airports are used for Mthatha to Soweto flights?
Typically K. D. Matanzima Airport (UTT) to Lanseria International Airport (HLA); Soweto also has JNB.
Where can I stay in Soweto?
Our booking partner lists 33 places to stay in Soweto, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.