Pretoria, often called the 'Jacaranda City' for its stunning purple blooms, is South Africa's administrative capital. It's a city that has something for all kinds of travellers - families, couples, solo travellers and seniors alike.
Pretoria may be South Africa's administrative heart, but it's got much more to offer than government buildings. The gorgeous jacaranda trees that line the streets create a magical atmosphere in the city - you'll see them everywhere you go. While in Pretoria, explore its museums, relax in its refreshing gardens and make the most of the city's delicious food scene (you'll want to try braai, bunny chow and biltong!).
Pretoria is an excellent base if you're heading off to a South African safari adventure or if you're planning to visit the country's stunning beaches in the Cape.
The weather in Pretoria is subtropical with warm, rainy summers and mild, dry winters. Choosing the best time to visit Pretoria depends on what you want to experience.
Spring (September to November) - This is the most popular time to visit Pretoria as the jacaranda trees begin to bloom, turning the city into a breathtaking purple wonderland. Temperatures range from 27-29 °C (80-84 °F) during the day and 12-16 °C (52-60 °F) at night. Suitable for seeing the Jacaranda Festival, outdoor picnics, hiking and nature walks.
Summer (December to February) - Pretoria's summer is hot and rainy, with temperatures reaching highs of 30 °C (86 °F) during the day! It may be too hot for outdoor activities but you'll have a great time experiencing Pretoria's nightlife and indoor attractions later on in the day. Suitable for swimming and water sports, exploring Pretoria's nightlife and visiting museums, art galleries and shopping centres.
Autumn (March to May) - This is the ideal time to visit Pretoria if you want a quieter experience with slightly cooler temperatures. The crowds are a lot smaller than in spring too. Average daytime temperatures will drop from 28 °C (82 °F) in March to 23 °C (73 °F) in May. Ideal for hot air balloon rides, wine tasting and golfing.
Winter (June to August) - The winters in Pretoria are mild and dry with chilly nights. This is Pretoria's off-peak season so you can expect smaller crowds and cheaper flights! Temperatures usually range from highs of 21-24 °C (69-75 °F) during the day and lows of 5-8 °C (41-46 °F) during the night. Great for exploring museums, theatres, shopping centres, cosy cafes and restaurants, and going on wildlife safaris.
Reaching Pretoria by air is easy! There are two primary airports to choose from:
This is South Africa's largest airport, conveniently situated in Johannesburg and around 45 kilometres away from Pretoria. You can fly to O.R. Tambo International Airport from over 80 cities worldwide including Beijing, Paris, London, Atlanta, Cairo, Dubai, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Sydney and New York. Most flights to this airport are operated by Airlink, CemAir, FlySafair, LIFT and South Africa Airways - it's safe to say you have choices!
You can easily get from the airport to Pretoria city centre in under an hour by boarding the Gautrain. This is the airport's rapid rail system that connects the airport to both Sandton and Pretoria. Taxis and shuttle buses are available outside the airport, taking around 45 minutes to reach Pretoria.
This airport is a lot closer to Pretoria but is also much smaller than O.R. Tambo International Airport. You'll find that most flights to and from this airport are domestic flights in South Africa operated by FlySafair, making it a convenient airport to stop at if you're planning to explore multiple South African cities.
Since the airport is close to Pretoria's city centre, your transportation options are quite convenient. The fastest way to get to Pretoria from this airport is by taxi - you can expect the journey to take around 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. Private shuttles and car rental services are also available with similar journey times. It's worth noting that there currently isn't a direct bus service between Lanseria International Airport and Pretoria.
Pretoria's proximity to O.R. Tambo International Airport means it is well-connected to major international cities and is easily accessible for travellers from around the world. Some popular international routes include:
South Africa has a well-developed domestic routes network that makes it easy to hop between major cities and remote towns. With Pretoria being so close to Johannesburg, it makes it easy to access from many major cities in South Africa. Some popular domestic routes include:
Pretoria is full of activities for every age group - see some of our favourites below:
At Alternative Airlines, we ticket over 600 global airlines including South African Airways. This means you're sure to find a route to Pretoria that works for you, no matter where you're flying from.
We also offer over 40 ways to pay for your flights to Pretoria, including South African Rand and flexible Buy Now Pay Later plans like Afterpay, Klarna and PayJustNow! Booking flights to Pretoria online couldn't be easier with Alternative Airlines.
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Pretoria is the administrative capital city of South Africa. It's located in the northeastern part of South, just 45 kilometres north of Johannesburg.
Pretoria is generally safe to visit but caution should be exercised wherever possible. By this, we mean it's essential that you're aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid being out alone at night in unfamiliar areas, avoid displaying your valuables, use reputable transportation services and stick to guided tours.
We go into greater detail on this topic with our guide on safety in South Africa and in our South Africa travel advice page.
To reach Pretoria, you need to fly to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Many major airlines operate direct flights to this airport including United Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, Etihad Airways, South African Airways, FlySafair, Emirates and Singapore Airlines, among many others.
If you're looking for flights to Pretoria, fill out our search form at the top of the page - we'll show you all available routes operated by some of the 600+ global airlines we ticket.
Pretoria has two airports nearby - O.R. Tambo International Airport and Wonderboom National Park. You're better off booking flights to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg as it has the most routes available, internationally and domestically. It's easy to get to Pretoria from Johannesburg. You can either board the Gautrain or take a taxi/shuttle which can take around 45 minutes.
Pretoria, in South Africa, uses the South African Rand (ZAR) as its official currency. You can book flights in South African Rand here at Alternative Airlines.
The visa requirements will depend on your nationality. Check out our guide on visas for South Africa to find out if you need a visa and which one is right for you.
The official language is Afrikaans but English is widely spoken in Pretoria.
