Pietermaritzburg to Mthatha flights
Mthatha lies 268 km (166 mi) south-west of Pietermaritzburg, 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.
| Pietermaritzburg | Mthatha | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | South Africa | South Africa |
| Population | 839,327 | 164,848 |
| Elevation | 636 m (2,087 ft) | 694 m (2,277 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) |
| Nearest large airport | DUR, 70 km out | UTT, 12 km out |
Airports at each end
Leaving 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).
Arriving in 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.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K. D. Matanzima Airport (regional) | UTT | 12 km (7 mi) | 8,530 ft | 2,400 ft |
Book a flight to Mthatha
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Staying in Mthatha
Live rooms and prices for Mthatha are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Mthatha
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Common questions
How far is Mthatha from Pietermaritzburg?
268 km (166 mi) in a straight line, south-west of Pietermaritzburg.
How long does it take to get from Pietermaritzburg to Mthatha 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 Pietermaritzburg and Mthatha?
No, both are on Africa/Johannesburg at the moment.
Which airports are used for Pietermaritzburg to Mthatha flights?
Typically King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to K. D. Matanzima Airport (UTT).
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.