Travel advisory · South AfricaPretoria is in or near an area where governments advise against all but essential travel: Pretoria Central, Sunnyside (Pretoria).Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

Alexandra (Johannesburg) · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
Berea · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
Cape Flats · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
Hillbrow · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
Pretoria Central · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
Sunnyside (Pretoria) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
Yeoville · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy

Also named by one government: Arcadia (Pretoria) (Spain), Area near Phabeni Gate and Numbi Gate (Hazyview) (France), Atteridgville (Pretoria) (Italy), City centres (general) (Spain), Durban CBD (Germany), Durban marginal neighbourhoods (Spain), Johannesburg CBD (Germany), Mamelodi (Pretoria) (Italy), Marabstad (Pretoria) (Spain), Old city centre (France), Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) CBD (Germany), Pretoria CBD (Germany), Rotunda bus terminal (Johannesburg) (Spain)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	No specific advice against travel; general precautions only	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution	May 27, 2025	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Exercise a high degree of caution	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	Keine generelle Warnung für das gesamte Land (regional advisories)	Oct 28, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise increased caution due to violent crime	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	Vigilance renforcée (zone de vigilance renforcée pour l'ensemble du pays) (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

Pretoria

Pretoria is South Africa's seat of government, known for the Union Buildings, history museums and jacaranda-lined streets in late spring.

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Pretoria is South Africa's administrative capital, in Gauteng province, north of Johannesburg. The national government sits here, so the streets hold government offices, embassies and university campuses. The Union Buildings, the office of the president, stand on Meintjieskop, a hill above the city. To the south-east, the Voortrekker Monument is a granite memorial to the Voortrekkers, 19th-century settlers who traveled north by ox-wagon. In October and November, jacaranda trees bloom along many streets.

Pretoria suits travelers who care about history and museums, or who want a quieter base than Johannesburg. Plan two to three days for the Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument, Freedom Park and the Pretoria National Botanical Garden. The city also sits on the road to Kruger National Park, several hours' drive east. September to November is the best time to visit, when jacarandas bloom and the weather is mild. From December to February, expect hot days and heavy afternoon rain.

Pretoria in five

Get the Gautrain from OR Tambo airportThe Gautrain links OR Tambo airport with Pretoria, so you can skip a long metered transfer on arrival. Check the current route and times on the Gautrain site before you book a hotel far from a station.Getting around
Install EskomSePush for power cut timesScheduled power cuts, known as load shedding, have affected Pretoria. The EskomSePush app shows block times for your area, so check it before you book a place without backup power.
Book Uber or Bolt after darkRide-hail apps are the safer way to get across the city at night, and hailing in the street is best avoided after dark. Check the driver's name and car plate in the app before you get in.
Carry a passport with two blank pagesSouth Africa asks for a passport valid 30 days beyond departure with two blank pages, so check the page count before you fly.Visas and entry
Pay by card and keep small rand notesCards work in most malls and restaurants, but car guards and small shops often need cash in small notes.Money and costs

Things to do in Pretoria

See all attractions in Pretoria

Museum · PretoriaFreedom Park Heritage Site & Museum

people walking on sidewalk near brown concrete building during daytime

Park · PretoriaChurch Square

a statue of a man riding a horse in a park

Monument · PretoriaVoortrekker MonumentBook tickets in advance, which is recommended for this site.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to PretoriaPut the places you like in Pretoria on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Rand (ZAR)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; check the Home Affairs list before flying Read more
Emergency: 10111 police, 10177 ambulance, 112 from a mobile phone
Tipping: 10 to 15% in restaurants if no service charge; tip car guards
Time: UTC+2, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hot, thunderstorms
FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Hot, wet
MarchClear9 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Showers ease
AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Mild, dry
MayClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Mild, dry
JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh20°Low8°Cold nights
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh20°Low7°Cold, dry
AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low10°Dry, cool
SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low14°Warm, dry
OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Jacaranda bloom
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh29°Low17°Storms start
DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hot, storms

Average daily high and low in Pretoria, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Pretoria

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 21°
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 90%

Pretoria

10:38 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today31°18°90%Monday: Rain. High 31°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 90%.
Tue30°17°63%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 63%.
Wed31°17°46%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 46%.
Thu31°19°63%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 63%.
Fri33°19°55%Friday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 55%.
Sat33°19°63%Saturday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 63%.
Sun33°14°41%Sunday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 41%.

Updated 07:53 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 16.69 ZAR

Amount

Converted to

ZAR · South African Rand

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Johannesburgabout 40 min to 1 hour by GautrainGold-mining history, Constitution Hill and a bigger city for shopping and nightlife.
Cradle of Humankindabout 1 hour by carFossil sites and the Maropeng visitor centre in the hills west of the city.
Hartbeespoort Damabout 1 hour by carA dam lake with boat trips and lakeside restaurants.

Before you go to Pretoria

eSIM for PretoriaData plans for a city and day tripsRead the guide

Travel insurance for PretoriaCover for theft, delays and medical careRead the guide

Stays in Arcadia or MenlynWalkable centres or Gautrain accessRead the guide

Cards and cash in randCard use, tipping and small notesRead the guide

Rules for Pretoria, checked

Your passport must be valid 30 days after departure and have two blank pages. Check the Home Affairs rules before you fly.Source
Declare goods above the duty-free allowance on the customs form at arrival. Check the SARS traveller rules before you pack.Source
Get a case number from the South African Police Service for any theft, and keep it for your insurance claim.

Plan around Pretoria

Where to stay in Pretoria

Arcadia, Hatfield, Menlyn and the centre compared

Read the guide Getting around Pretoria

Gautrain, city buses and ride-hail apps

Read the guide Money and costs in rand

Cards, cash and typical prices for each day

Read the guide Visas and entry rules

Visa-free stays and what to check before flying

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Data options for a city visit and day trips

Read the guide All of South Africa

Other cities and regions in one country

Read the guide

Pretoria FAQ

Is Pretoria worth visiting?

Yes, for a day or two if you want the seat of government, the Union Buildings and jacaranda streets in October. It is a weak choice if you want a beach or a lively night scene.

Is Pretoria safe for tourists?

Use ride-hail apps after dark, keep bags out of sight and avoid walking alone at night. Ask your host which streets to avoid.

How do you get from OR Tambo airport to Pretoria?

Take the Gautrain from OR Tambo, or book a car or ride-hail for a direct transfer. Allow more time at rush hour, as the N1 highway is busy.

Is Pretoria the capital of South Africa?

Pretoria is the executive capital, where the Union Buildings are. Parliament sits in Cape Town, and the Constitutional Court is in Johannesburg.

How many days do you need in Pretoria?

Two days cover the Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument, Church Square and one day trip. Add a day for Johannesburg.

When do jacaranda trees bloom in Pretoria?

Late October into November, when purple flowers cover the streets. Bloom dates shift each year, so check local news before you book.