Is Pretoria far from Joburg?

It is about 50-60 km, easily connected by the Gautrain.

Long-distance passenger trains are not currently reliable; use bus or flight.

Springtime is best for the purple Jacaranda trees.

Yes, the N3 and N1 are well-maintained highways.

How to get to the zoo?

It is centrally located and easily accessible by taxi or car.

Durban

Pretoria

Bus Flight

Durban to Pretoria

Updated: 28 May 2026

Traveling from eThekwini to Pretoria involves traversing the N3 highway toward Johannesburg before connecting to the N1 north. The total distance is roughly 630 km. For air travelers, flights land at OR Tambo, followed by a 50 km shuttle or Gautrain ride to Pretoria. Road travel takes approximately 7 hours depending on traffic through the Gauteng metropolitan area. Pretoria is the administrative capital, making this a frequent business route.

Total Distance: 630 km driving distance; 530 km straight-line air distance.

Fastest Way

Flight to OR Tambo followed by the Gautrain, totaling roughly 2.5 hours.

Cheapest Way

Bus travel is the most economical, with tickets starting around R700.

Compare Durban to Pretoria Routes

	Bus Direct	Flight Direct
Duration	8 hours 30 mins	1 hour 10 mins
Avg Price	R700 - R950	R1300 - R2800
Operator	Intercape	FlySafair
Route	N3 to Johannesburg, then N1 to Pretoria.	King Shaka International to OR Tambo, then Gautrain to Pretoria.
Tip	Overnight buses are available and save on accommodation costs.	The Gautrain is the fastest way to reach Pretoria from the airport.

Travel Tips

Gautrain
Purchase a Gautrain Gold Card at the airport station for seamless travel.
Traffic
Avoid the N1/N3 interchange during morning and afternoon peak hours.
Parking
Use secure parking facilities when visiting the city center.
Climate
Pretoria is generally warmer than Durban; pack accordingly.
Navigation
Use real-time traffic apps to navigate around Gauteng congestion.