Mthatha to Pietermaritzburg flights
Pietermaritzburg lies 268 km (166 mi) north-east 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 6 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.
Open Pietermaritzburg in Google Maps
| Mthatha | Pietermaritzburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | South Africa | South Africa |
| Population | 164,848 | 839,327 |
| Elevation | 694 m (2,277 ft) | 636 m (2,087 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) |
| Nearest large airport | UTT, 12 km out | DUR, 70 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 Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is King Shaka International Airport (DUR), 70 km (43 mi) from the centre, whose 12,139-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB, 4 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Shaka International Airport | DUR | 70 km (43 mi) | 12,139 ft | 295 ft |
| Pietermaritzburg Airport (regional) | PZB | 4 km (2 mi) | 5,043 ft | 2,423 ft |
Book a flight to Pietermaritzburg
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Staying in Pietermaritzburg
Our booking partner lists 131 places to stay in Pietermaritzburg. Of the 60 with a star rating, the largest group is 4-star (34), and 1 are five-star. Across 78 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 7.9 out of 10. Guests have left 19,816 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Pietermaritzburg
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 Pietermaritzburg from Mthatha?
268 km (166 mi) in a straight line, north-east of Mthatha.
How long does it take to get from Mthatha to Pietermaritzburg by air?
About 1 h 6 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 Pietermaritzburg?
No, both are on Africa/Johannesburg at the moment.
Which airports are used for Mthatha to Pietermaritzburg flights?
Typically K. D. Matanzima Airport (UTT) to King Shaka International Airport (DUR); Pietermaritzburg also has PZB.
Where can I stay in Pietermaritzburg?
Our booking partner lists 131 places to stay in Pietermaritzburg, 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.