# Distance from Pietermaritzburg (PZB) to San Jose (SJO)

> 12,926 km · estimated flight time 16h · Ultra-long-haul route.

## Summary

- **Distance**: 12,926 km / 8,032 mi / 6,980 nm
- **Estimated flight time**: 16h
- **Heading**: 267° (west)
- **Return heading**: 118° (east southeast)
- **Classification**: Ultra-long-haul
- **Type**: International (South Africa) → Costa Rica
- **Intercontinental**: Africa → North America
- **Time difference**: -8h (When it's 20:08 in Pietermaritzburg, it's 12:08 in San Jose)
- **Elevation difference**: 598 ft (SJO is higher than PZB)

## Airports

### [Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/pzb-pietermaritzburg-pietermaritzburg-airport/1ef266de-d3ef-6018-aa88-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- ICAO: FAPM
- Timezone: Africa/Johannesburg
- Coordinates: -29.650000, 30.400000
- Elevation: 2,423 ft

### [Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sjo-san-jose-juan-santamaria-international-airport/1ef266df-6643-69f0-a227-06bb2780ed98)

- City: San Jose, Costa Rica
- ICAO: MROC
- Timezone: America/Costa_Rica
- Coordinates: 9.990000, -84.210000
- Elevation: 3,021 ft

## Route notes

This is an ultra-long-haul route, one of the longest in aviation. It requires wide-body aircraft with extended range capability such as the Airbus A350-900ULR or Boeing 777-200LR. Passengers should prepare for an extended flight with multiple meal services.

Time-zone information: When it's 20:08 in Pietermaritzburg, it's 12:08 in San Jose.
With a 8-hour time difference, expect significant jet lag.

## Related

- [Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/pzb-pietermaritzburg-pietermaritzburg-airport/1ef266de-d3ef-6018-aa88-06bb2780ed98)
- [Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sjo-san-jose-juan-santamaria-international-airport/1ef266df-6643-69f0-a227-06bb2780ed98)
- [Flight duration calculator](/#calculator)