Pietermaritzburg to Soweto by train
Soweto lies 448 km (278 mi) north-west of Pietermaritzburg, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 6 h 26 min at the speeds typical of South Africa rail, over roughly 546 km (340 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
| Pietermaritzburg | Soweto | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | South Africa | South Africa |
| Population | 839,327 | 1.7 million |
| Elevation | 636 m (2,087 ft) | 1,632 m (5,354 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) |
| Stations on record | Pietermaritzburg railway station | none listed |
| Postal codes | 3200–3296 | 1803–1809 |
Where to book trains from Pietermaritzburg to Soweto
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that 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 Pietermaritzburg?
448 km (278 mi) in a straight line, north-west of Pietermaritzburg; by road roughly 546 km (340 mi).
How long does it take to get from Pietermaritzburg to Soweto by train?
About 6 h 26 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Pietermaritzburg and Soweto?
No, both are on Africa/Johannesburg at the moment.
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.