Pretoria, often called the 'Jacaranda City' for its stunning purple blooms, is South Africa's administrative capital. It's a city that offers something for all types of travellers: families, couples, solo travellers, and seniors alike.
Pretoria may be South Africa's administrative heart, but it has much more to offer than government buildings.
The gorgeous jacaranda trees lining the streets create a magical atmosphere throughout the city - you’ll see them everywhere you go.
While in Pretoria, explore its fascinating museums, relax in its refreshing gardens, and enjoy the city’s delicious food scene - try local favourites like braai, bunny chow, and biltong!
Pretoria is also an excellent base if you're heading off to a South African safari adventure or planning to visit the country’s stunning beaches in the Cape.
Planning a trip to Pretoria but want more flexibility with your travel budget? With Alternative Airlines, you can book your flights to Pretoria today and spread the cost over time.
Our most popular providers:
Pretoria has a subtropical climate with warm, rainy summers and mild, dry winters. The best time to visit depends on your interests.
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.
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.
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.
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:
South Africa’s largest and busiest airport, located in Johannesburg - around 45 kilometres from Pretoria.
A smaller airport, ideal for domestic travel within South Africa - slightly closer to Pretoria than O.R. Tambo.
Pretoria's proximity to O.R. Tambo International Airport means it's well-connected to major international cities and is easily accessible for travellers from around the world.
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's easy to access from many major cities in South Africa.
Planning a trip to Pretoria with children? The city has lots of family-friendly attractions that make it a fun destination for all ages.
These attractions offer a mix of fun and learning, making Pretoria a great choice for a family holiday in South Africa.
Pretoria offers plenty of peaceful and scenic places for couples to enjoy time together, from nature reserves to local markets.
Honeymooning in South Africa? Pretoria might be the perfect destination to add to your itinerary!
Pretoria is a welcoming city for solo travellers, with a great mix of culture, nature and local experiences.
Pretoria is great for older travellers looking for a calm, comfortable pace and accessible attractions.
Navigating Pretoria is relatively straightforward, with several transport options to suit different travel styles:
Pretoria is a popular city to visit, but like most urban areas, it’s worth taking a few precautions:
With a few regular safety precautions, most travellers find Pretoria to be a friendly and welcoming place to explore.
Looking for low-cost flights to Pretoria? With Alternative Airlines, it's easy to compare prices and find deals that suit your travel plans and budget.
At Alternative Airlines, we ticket over 600 global airlines including South African Airways. We also offer over 40 ways to pay, including in South African Rand and with flexible Buy Now Pay Later plans like Afterpay, Klarna and PayJustNow!
Start searching for flights to Pretoria using the button below.
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
Pretoria is the administrative capital city of South Africa. It's located in the northeastern part of the country, just 45 kilometres north of Johannesburg, and close to the Cradle of Humankind - one of South Africa’s most important cultural and historical attractions.
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.
The most popular time to visit is spring (September to November), when the jacaranda trees are in bloom. For quieter travel and lower prices, consider visiting in autumn (March to May) or winter (June to August).
To find out more, read our page about the best months to visit South Africa.
Yes! Alternative Airlines lets you book flights to Pretoria through O.R. Tambo or Lanseria airports. You can search and compare over 600 airlines and choose from 40+ payment options, including over 20 pay-later options.
Top attractions include the Union Buildings, Pretoria National Botanical Garden, Voortrekker Monument, and the National Zoological Gardens. Nature reserves and food markets are also popular.
