Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) is the sole airport serving Pietermaritzburg.

Pietermaritzburg Airport is just a short cab ride from happening downtown Pietermaritzburg. You’ll find it 3 kilometers from the center of the city.

Hop off the plane at KSIA and you’ll be 72 kilometers from the center of town. PZB is another big airport in Pietermaritzburg. It’s 3 kilometers from the center of the city.

There are 8 air carriers that fly to Pietermaritzburg from 9 worldwide airports.

In general, travelers opt to fly with Safair, CemAir and South African Airways when going to Pietermaritzburg. The largest number of these flights come from Johannesburg, with Safair servicing this route the most.

With around 373 nonstop flights every week, you’ll be arriving in Pietermaritzburg before you can say, “Are we there yet?”

Flights to Pietermaritzburg departing from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Gqeberha airports are the most sought after.

If you’re heading to Pietermaritzburg from Johannesburg, you’re looking at a flight duration of 1 hour and 8 minutes. Those jetting off from Cape Town can expect to be airborne for 2 hours and 3 minutes. From Port Elizabeth it’s approximately 1 hour and 23 minutes away.

If you’d like to have some extra spending money on your Pietermaritzburg vacation, then listen up! As every experienced jet-setter knows, avoid booking at the last minute. Airfares are usually highest just prior to the departure date. Also, shop around and compare your options. If your destination has more than one airport, you may be able to score a terrific price by flying into one a little farther out. Last of all, be prepared to lock in your seat quickly if you stumble on a great deal. It might not be available for long. With a bit of knowledge and a little luck, the ideal airfare can be yours.

If you’re not prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there’s no need to panic. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a stress-free start to your vacation in Pietermaritzburg.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack in your passport, important documents, bank cards and vital medications. Next, you’ll want some in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a tablet filled with your favorite movies are some fantastic options. If you intend to take a quick snooze, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you touchdown feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don’t have sharp or pointed objects lurking in your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive products, such as fuel and matches, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The long, narrow aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and take a cardigan as it can get quite cool inside the cabin during long-haul flights. Enclosed, flat shoes are also a wise idea.
• Unfortunately, one risk of long-haul flights is developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by extended periods of inactivity. To prevent this, make the most of every opportunity to wander around the cabin. Compression socks and tights are also a great idea to help reduce this risk.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport can make your trip to Pietermaritzburg a breeze. Below are some handy hints for a swift journey past security:

• Your passport and boarding pass will need to be presented to airport security. Keep them someplace accessible so you don’t hold up the queue.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings such as your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go on a tray to be scanned. Don’t worry, you’ll be back online before you know it.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you’re less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won’t allow any sharp objects in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.