Durban is located on the east coast of South Africa and is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The city lies at the centre of a 600km- (370mi)- long coastal region fringed by uninterrupted stretches of golden sand beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
The most convenient route to Durban is by air to Durban King Shaka International Airport (DUR), located around 35km (22mi) north of the city centre.
By bus, several bus and coach companies operate between Durban and Johannesburg, taking around 7 hours for the 570km (354mi) journey.
By rail, Durban is linked by a frequent service to and from Johannesburg (allow 14 hours) and Cape Town.
By sea, the Port of Durban is the most popular cruise hub in Southern Africa.
The following are the most convenient and quickest flight routes to Durban King Shaka International Airport (DUR).
Within South Africa: British Airways, Safair and South African Airways offer the most convenient daily scheduled flights to Durban.
Cape Town to Durban is 1 hr 55 min, direct flight
Johannesburg to Durban is 1 hr 5 min, direct flight
From United Arab Emirates: Emirates operates daily flights to Durban.
Dubai to Durban is 8 hrs 20 min, direct flight
From China: Emirates, Hong Kong, Cathay Dragon and Cathay Dragon offer the most convenient flights to Durban.
Beijing to Durban is 19 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Shanghai to Durban is 18 hrs 15 min, connecting flightˆ
Hong Kong to Durban is 15 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
From Singapore: Singapore Airlines and Comair offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Durban.
Singapore to Durban is 13 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
From United Kingdom: British Airways offers the most convenient flights to Durban.
London to Durban is 11 hrs 50 min, direct flight
Manchester to Durban is 15 hrs 25 min, connecting flightsˆ
From France: Air France and Safair offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Durban.
Paris to Durban is 13 hrs, connecting flightsˆ
From Germany: Lufthansa, Condor Flugdeinst, Eurowings and South African Airways offer the most convenient flights to Durban.
Berlin to Durban is 14 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
Dusseldorf to Durban is 14 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
Hamburg to Durban is 14 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
Frankfurt to Durban is 12 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
Munich to Durban is 12 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
From United States: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, British Airways and South African Airways offer the most convenient daily scheduled flights to Durban.
Atlanta to Durban is 17 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
Boston to Durban is 24 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
Chicago to Durban is 20 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Durban is 20 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
New York to Durban is 17 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
Los Angeles to Durban is 23 hrs, connecting flightˆ
San Francisco to Durban is 24 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada and British Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Durban.
Toronto to Durban is 22 hrs 15 min, connecting flightˆ
Montreal to Durban is 21 hrs 24 min, connecting flightˆ
Vancouver to Durban is 23 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
From Australia: Qantas and South African Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Durban.
Adelaide to Durban is 18 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
Brisbane to Durban is 18 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
Sydney to Durban is 16 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Melbourne to Durban is 18 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
Perth to Durban is 13 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
From New Zealand: Qantas, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and South African Airways offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Durban.
Auckland to Durban is 21 hrs 35 min, connecting flightsˆ
(ˆincludes transfer time.)
Durban King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is located around 35km (22mi) north of the city centre.
Taxi: Taxi services are available outside Departures. Fares into Durban start at around R500, with a journey time of around 20-30 minutes.
Visitors are advised to beware of illegal taxi touts. Authorised taxi companies include Hassan Taxis (tel: +27 31 564 0734), City Cabs (tel: +27 31 577 2911) and Rikki Cabs (tel: +27 31 539 6844) among others.
Shuttle: An airport shuttle bus (tel: +27 31 465 5573; www.airportbustransport.co.za) operates frequently from the airport to Durban. Journey time is around 30 minutes and the fare R50.
There is also an hourly shuttle (which must be pre-booked) linking the airport with Durban and Umhlanga hotels, the Durban beachfront and the International Convention Centre. Contact the airport information desk (tel: +27 32 436 6758) for more information.
All shuttle buses depart from outside the arrivals area.
Car hire operators Avis, First, Hertz, Thrifty and Woodford are represented at the airport. Desks for these companies are located in Arrivals.
Money: Standard Bank provides exchange services and ATMs within the terminal. A VAT refund facility is available in Departures.
Food: A number of restaurants and bars are located in the airport, with options in both Arrivals and Departures.
Shopping: Duty-free shopping is available in Departures. There are also a number of shops selling local crafts, giftware, clothing and other items.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the airport (free for 30 minutes or up to 50MB).
Other: Other services available at Durban King Shaka International Airport include first-aid facilities and a pharmacy, located on the first floor. A Muslim prayer room and a chapel are also located within the airport.
The South African Airways business lounge (tel: +27 32 815 2044) and the Premier Lounge (tel: +27 32 436 7138) provide business services for passengers in Departures, while ACSA offers a VIP lounge with similar facilities in Arrivals.
Durban King Shaka International Airport is fully accessible with lifts and specially equipped toilets. Assistance is available from airport staff. Contact the airport and the relevant airline in advance to arrange specialist assistance.
A passport valid for at least 30 days beyond intended period of stay as well as a ticket for return or onward travel. Visas are not required for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, US, UK and most EU countries; instead, visitors are issued with a visitor's permit on arrival, valid for a month.
On foot; for further afield a hire care is probably best. Local buses service the beachfront route and taxis are cheap and plentiful. Traffic drives on the left.
Latest update: How to get to Durban : 3 January, 2023
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