Crossing brief
How far is it from United Kingdom to South Africa?
London to Pretoria
- Distance
- 9,027 km
- In miles
- 5,609 mi
- Flight time
- 12 h 32 min
- Time change
- 1 h east
Distance is the great-circle distance between the capitals (London and Pretoria); flight time is an estimate for a non-stop route at cruising speed. Real schedules vary with routing, winds and connections.
This is a long-haul route: among the 59 countries we cover, South Africa is the #45 closest to United Kingdom, making it one of the more distant destinations.
Crossing from United Kingdom to South Africa
The practical differences you will notice on this specific trip.
| Time on arrival | You fly east and lose 1 h. On arrival your body clock reads 1 h behind local time — eastward trips take a little longer to adjust to. |
|---|---|
| Power | Pack a plug adapter — South Africa uses Type C/D/M/N sockets your United Kingdom plugs do not fit. Voltage is the same (230V). |
| Money | 1 GBP = 21.793 ZAR — exchange Pound Sterling for South African Rand before or on arrival. |
Common questions
How far is United Kingdom from South Africa?
About 9,027 km (5,609 miles) in a straight line between the two capitals.
How long is the flight from United Kingdom to South Africa?
A non-stop flight takes roughly 12 h 32 min, though actual times depend on the exact airports and routing.
Will I be jet-lagged flying to South Africa?
You fly east and lose 1 h. On arrival your body clock reads 1 h behind local time — eastward trips take a little longer to adjust to.
Updated July 2, 2026