Public Transport and How to Get Around
Transport from King Shaka International Airport (DUR)
The quickest way to get from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to your hotel is to take a taxi. There are metered cab drivers waiting outside of the arrivals hall, or you can use the ride-sharing app, Uber. If you're travelling to Durban on a budget, it will be more affordable to book a shuttle from the airport to your accommodation. There is also an airport bus that runs every 30 minutes to the main tourist areas in the city.
Car hire
If you prefer having control over your itinerary, you can book a car while buying your cheap flights to Durban with Webjet. Keep in mind that you will need a local sim card to use your GPS as the road names have changed a lot in the city over the years.
Bus
The cheapest way to get around Durban is on the local bus. The most popular option for tourists buying return flights to Durban is the People Mover bus. The routes go past all the main tourist attractions such as the Golden Mile, the Victorian Street Market and the Playhouse Theatre.
Train
Travellers landing on flights to Durban can use the train to travel between the city centre and the suburbs. The Metrorail station is located nearby the Moses Mabhida Stadium, and the service usually departs every 10 to 15 minutes.
Taxi
You can use metered taxis or Uber to get around Durban. It's not the cheapest way to explore the city, but it's a safe and reliable option. If you're using the metered taxis, you'll need to phone ahead to arrange a pickup.
The Best Time to Visit
With warm, humid weather year-round there’s no bad time to visit Durban. It all depends on how much heat you can handle. In the summer months (December to March), the city is at its busiest. Travellers from all over South Africa and abroad travel to Durban’s beaches for the end of year holidays. If you’re planning on booking flights to Durban over this period, buy your tickets well in advance. Airlines increase their prices for airfare to Durban, and the best hotels fill up fast. If you want to avoid the summer crowds, the city is quieter at the beginning of December and in February.
While June to August is winter in Durban, the city doesn’t experience a chill like the rest of South Africa. You won’t have a problem finding cheap flights to Durban as long as you book around the mid-year school holidays. The temperatures will still be warm enough for days at the beach, but you’ll need to pack an umbrella. The winter months are known to have heavy showers, and you’ll need to pack a few light layers.
Durban’s shoulder seasons are spring and autumn. From March to May and September to November, the city experiences a lull in tourism. Many of South Africa’s domestic airlines may lower their prices for return flights to Durban, and you’ll find fewer crowds at the beaches and top attractions.
Top Experiences For Visitors With an Airfare to Durban
Durban Botanic Gardens
The Durban Botanic Gardens are an excellent spot to have a picnic and escape the city life for a few hours once your flights to Durban have arrived. As the oldest surviving botanic garden in Africa, it’s a unique place to explore and discover South Africa’s indigenous and exotic plants. Some trees are more than 100 years old, and there are more than fifty species of birds that call the gardens home.
Indian Quarter
If you’re a foodie buying plane tickets to Durban, don’t miss out on visiting the Indian Quarter. It’s where you’ll find some of the most authentic Indian cuisine as well as famous South African dishes such as bunny chow. The vendors also sell everything from sandals to handmade jewellery, making it an excellent spot to visit to pick up some souvenirs after your flights to Durban arrive.
uShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World is one of the top attractions in Durban. It’s located on the city’s Golden Mile, and it attracts thousands of visitors each year who buy cheap flights to Durban. Inside the aquarium, you can expect to see sharks, dolphins, seals, penguins and so much more! There’s also sea-themed attractions for the little ones and restaurants at the Village Walk.
Tips for First-Time Travellers on Flights to Durban
What to wear in Durban
If it's your first time booking flights to Durban, you need to pack warm weather clothing. T-shirts, shorts, sundresses and swimsuits are all perfect for exploring the city. However, it can get chilly on a rainy day, so pack a few warm layers that you can easily fit into your day bag.
Bunny Chow
Despite the name, bunny chow isn’t made from any rabbits. It’s a Durban-Indian food speciality that is made from a hollowed-out half loaf of bread and curry that all travellers booking flights to Durban need to try!
Safety in Durban
While South Africa has a bad rap when it comes to safety, it’s easy to avoid most of the risks by practising a few necessary precautions. Once your flights to Durban land, it’s a good idea to avoid walking around at night and flashing your valuables.
