City guides
Car hire in Pietermaritzburg
By CarRentalZA editorial team · 6 min read · Updated 29 September 2026
- Local airport
- Pietermaritzburg (Oribi) Airport, limited scheduled flights
- Nearest major airport
- King Shaka International, about 105 km
- Durban
- About 80 km, roughly 1 hour on the N3
- Small car, from
- About R202 a day nationally (Discover Cars, 29 September 2026)
- Important
- Sani Pass needs a 4x4 and is normally excluded by rental terms
Car hire in Pietermaritzburg is usually arranged either at a town branch or at the small Oribi airport, though many visitors instead collect at King Shaka International and drive the roughly 105 km up the N3, which takes about an hour and fifteen minutes and gives you a much wider choice of vehicles and brands.
PMB is the gateway to the Midlands Meander and one of the main approaches to the Drakensberg, so most hires here are made with a road trip in mind rather than city driving.
Below: brand presence, the national rate benchmarks, the N3 realities, and drive times to the places people actually head for.
Where to collect a car in Pietermaritzburg
Oribi Airport handles limited scheduled traffic, and the rental presence reflects that: fewer counters, smaller fleets and shorter hours than a major airport. It works well if you are flying in on one of the scheduled services and have booked ahead.
Town branches serve the local market and are the usual option for residents and business hires.
For visitors, the honest answer is often King Shaka. It is an hour and fifteen minutes away on a good freeway, every major brand is represented, the fleet is far deeper and the pricing is usually better. If you are landing in KwaZulu-Natal from elsewhere, compare both before booking.
Which rental brands have a presence in Pietermaritzburg
| Brand | Presence |
|---|---|
| Avis | Pietermaritzburg presence including the airport |
| Budget | Run alongside Avis in South Africa |
| First Car Rental | Pietermaritzburg presence including the airport |
| Woodford | KwaZulu-Natal independent with a Pietermaritzburg presence |
Coverage for the other brands on this site varies here and several serve the area from Durban or King Shaka instead. Check availability for your dates rather than assuming a local branch.
What you can expect to pay
Pietermaritzburg is a smaller market, so the choice is narrower and last minute availability is less certain than on the coast.
| What price comparison sites showed on 29 September 2026 | Per day |
|---|---|
| Discover Cars, small car, from | R202 |
| Discover Cars, average rental in South Africa | R271 |
| Discover Cars, premium car, from | R837 |
| Cheapflights, average paid over the last 12 months | R556 |
These figures come from Discover Cars and Cheapflights. Most are national, not Pietermaritzburg quotes. A "from" price is the cheapest car found on the day; an average includes bigger cars and longer rentals, which is why the two sites differ so much. Discover Cars puts December at about R474 a day against about R387 in September, so holiday dates cost more.
If a quote here looks high against the national benchmark, price the same dates at King Shaka. The drive is an hour and a quarter and the difference on a week long hire often more than covers the fuel.
Driving in and around Pietermaritzburg
The N3 is the spine. South east it drops down Town Hill towards Durban, a steep descent with heavy truck traffic where a low gear and a generous following distance are the sensible approach. North west it climbs towards Estcourt, Van Reenen's Pass and Gauteng.
Mist is a real feature of this area, particularly on Town Hill and in the Midlands, and it can close in quickly. Slow down and use your lights rather than hazards when it does.
Toll plazas apply on the N3 towards Gauteng, so keep a card or cash in the car.
Parking in town is easy and cheap, with marshalled street bays and free parking at the shopping centres. As anywhere, leave nothing visible in the car.
Drive times from Pietermaritzburg
Approximate one way driving times:
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Howick and the Midlands Meander | About 25 km | 25 minutes |
| Durban | About 80 km | 1 hour |
| King Shaka International | About 105 km | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Pinetown | About 55 km | 45 minutes |
| Champagne Valley, Drakensberg | About 170 km | 2 hours |
| Underberg | About 110 km | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Newcastle | About 240 km | 2 hours 45 minutes |
The Midlands Meander is the classic outing from here and works as an easy half day loop on tarred roads.
Which vehicle makes sense here
A hatchback handles the town, the N3, the Midlands and the tarred approaches to the main Drakensberg resorts.
The one place to be firm: Sani Pass. The road up to the Lesotho border requires a 4x4 for the upper section, and standard rental agreements do not permit ordinary hire cars there. If Sani Pass is on your list, use a licensed local tour operator with a proper vehicle rather than trying it in a hire car.
The same caution applies to farm and lodge access roads in the Midlands and the Berg, several of which are gravel. Check the unsurfaced road clause in your agreement before you turn off the tar.
Frequently asked questions
Which car hire companies are in Pietermaritzburg?
Avis, Budget, First Car Rental and Woodford have a Pietermaritzburg presence, including at Oribi Airport. Coverage for other brands varies and several serve the area from Durban or King Shaka, so check availability for your dates.
Should I hire a car at King Shaka instead of Pietermaritzburg?
Often yes. King Shaka is about an hour and fifteen minutes away, has every major brand, a much deeper fleet and usually better pricing. Compare both before booking, especially for longer hires where the saving can outweigh the drive.
How much is car hire in Pietermaritzburg?
On 29 September 2026 Discover Cars showed small cars across South Africa from about R202 a day and an average rental of R271 a day, and Cheapflights' average over the previous 12 months was R556 a day. Prices move with the season, how early you book, how long you keep the car and the excess cover you choose, so get a quote for your dates.
Can I drive a hire car up Sani Pass?
No. The upper section requires a 4x4, and standard South African rental agreements do not permit ordinary hire cars on it. Use a licensed local tour operator with the right vehicle instead, which is what almost every visitor does.
How far is Pietermaritzburg from Durban?
About 80 km and roughly an hour on the N3, including the descent down Town Hill. It is a busy freight route, so keep a generous following distance behind trucks and watch for mist, which is common on that stretch.
Are there tolls between Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg?
Yes, the N3 towards Gauteng has several toll plazas. Keep a bank card or cash in the car. Tolls are separate from your rental rate and are the driver's responsibility, as are traffic fines incurred during the hire.
Do I need a 4x4 for the Drakensberg?
Not for the main resort areas, which are reached on tarred roads that a hatchback handles fine. A higher vehicle helps on gravel farm and lodge access roads, and remains essential for Sani Pass, which hire cars are not permitted to attempt.
