Travel to Durban

Flying to Durban

British Airways (www.britishairways.com) runs a direct service between London and Durban from winter 2018. There are also plenty of options with one connection. You can travel via Dubai with Emirates (www.emirates.com), alternatively take South African Airways (www.flysaa.com) or Virgin Atlantic (www.virginatlantic.com) to Johannesburg and take a connecting flight from there. Flights tend to be cheaper during the winter months (May to September).

Flight times

From London - 14 hours (including stopover); New York - 17 hours; Los Angeles - 25 hours (including stopovers);  Toronto - 21 hours (including stopovers); Sydney - 17 hours 30 minutes (including stopover).

City Airports: 
Telephone:+27 32 436 6758
Website:www.airports.co.za
Location:

Durban King Shaka International Airport is located 35km (22 miles) north of central Durban.


Money:

Standard Bank provides exchange services and ATMs within the terminal. A VAT refund facility is available in Departures.


Luggage:

Porter services are available for those in need of assistance.

Travel by road

Summary:

Durban is around 570km (354 miles) from Johannesburg, while Cape Town lies 1,600km (997 miles) to the west. Major roads are of high quality in South Africa. The legal driving age is 18 years, though car hire companies often require drivers to be at least 23.

Driving is on the left. The speed limit on highways is 120kph (75mph), 80-100kph (50-62mph) on national roads and 60kph (37mph) in urban areas. Foreign licences are valid if they are in English with a photograph of the holder, but the AA recommends an International Driving Permit to prevent potential complications. You must carry your licence at all times.

The main motoring organisation in South Africa is the AA (tel: +27 861 000 234; www.aa.co.za).

Emergency breakdown service:

The AA (tel: 0861 000 234, in South Africa only).

Routes:

The main arterial road N3 runs to Durban from Johannesburg via Pietermaritzburg, the N1 reaches the city from Cape Town via Bloemfontein, and the N2 links Durban with Port Elizabeth via the Transkei.

Driving times:

From Johannesburg - 6 hours; Cape Town - 16 hours; Pietermaritzburg - 55 minutes; Port Elizabeth - 10 hours.

Coaches:

Express long-distance coach services run regularly from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and other large centres. Operators include Greyhound (tel: +27 11 611 8000; www.greyhound.co.za), Translux (tel: +27 861 589 282; www.translux.co.za) and Intercape (tel: +27 21 380 4400; www.intercape.co.za). Services operate from the motor coach terminal, New Durban Station, NMR Avenue.

Travel by rail

Services:

Durban's main railway station is immediately to the north of the central city district, located between Umgeni Road and Masabalala Yengwa Avenue.

Operators:

Rail services in Durban are operated by Shosholoza Meyl, the South African long-distance rail network (tel: 086 000 8888, in South Africa only or +27 11 774 4555; www.shosholozameyl.co.za). Its trains are modern, comfortable and cheap and it offers sleeper trains to and from Johannesburg twice a week.

Journey times:

From Johannesburg - 14 hours 30 minutes.

Travel over water

Summary:

Durban Port is the largest and busiest shipping terminal in Africa. It is also the base for summer cruises with MSC Cruises.

Ferry services:

MSC Cruises (tel: +27 87 075 0850; www.msccruises.co.za) operates a two-day sailing to and from Durban, cruises to Mozambique and Mauritius, plus voyages from Durban to Cape Town, some of which continue to Walvis Bay, Namibia.

 

Port website:
http://ports.co.za/durban-harbour.php



Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.