
Durban International Airport[url=http://www.durban-airport.co.za]](formerly Louis Botha Airport) is now closed. The King Shaka International Airport [url=http://www.acsa.co.za/home.asp?pid=5745[/url],]at La Mercy 40km north of Durban has been completed and is fully operational.
Taxi fares from the new airport to the hotels on Marine Parade and centre of Durban can cost well over R400 ZAR (~US $53). However, next to the taxi rank, there is an airport shuttle bus service that leaves every hour on the hour (or as soon as the bus has several passengers) for R80 ($ 10.50) per person, though it may take longer to reach your hotel. Beware, the taxi drivers can be quite aggressive and will try to intercept you before you reach the shuttle. Please also check that your belongings have not been tampered with if you do take the taxi.
The following airlines offer domestic service to/from Durban: 1time [url=http://www.1time.aero/[/url],]Airlink [url=http://www.flyairlink.co.za/[/url],]British Airways [url=http://www.ba.com/[/url],]FlySafair [url=http://www.flysafair.co.za/[/url],]Kulula [url=http://www.kulula.com[/url],]Mango [url=http://ww5.flymango.com/[/url],] and South African Airlines [url=http://www.flysaa.com/[/url]]
The following airlines offer international service to/from Durban: Airlink [url=http://www.flyairlink.co.za/[/url]](to/from Maputo), Air Mauritius [url=http://www.airmauritius.com/[/url]](to/from Mauritius), Emirates [url=http://www.emirates.com/[/url]](to/from Dubai), Ethiopian Airlines [url=http://www.ethiopianairlines.com/[/url]](to/from Addis Ababa), ProFlight Zambia [url=http://www.proflight-zambia.com/[/url]](to/from Lusaka), Qatar Airways [url=http://www.qatarairways.com/[/url]](to/from Doha), SA Express [url=http://www.flyexpress.aero/[/url]](to/from Harare and Lusaka) and Turkish Airlines [url=http://www.turkishairlines.com/[/url]](to/from Istanbul)
See also [[Discount airlines in Africa[/url]].
[wiki=1287b11a755a7d660aa421359e6d24d0#By_bus]All national carriers and the Baz Bus[/wiki] offer regular services to Durban.
The central train station is in the city centre.
Spoornet [url=http://www.spoornet.co.za/ShosholozaMeyl/index.jsp]] operates inter-city trains to [[Johannesburg[/url]] and [wiki=133bf00154a38beece6ac5adfb14b12b]Pietermaritzburg[/wiki]. There is no longer a direct service to Cape Town. A change at Johannesburg is required for other long haul destinations.
MetroRail [url=http://www.metrorail.co.za]] operates frequent commuter trains to various suburbs of Durban and towns nearby (such as [[Pinetown[/url]] and the resort towns of both the south coast (eg. Kelso and Park Ryne) and the north coast). Reports indicate that Metro trains in Greater Durban can be unsafe, particularly at night.
Some cruise ships dock in Durban, but generally there are limited "one-way" entries by boat to Durban. In theory passage on a freighter might be arranged, but it's not widely advertised. Cruises from Durban available on the MSC Sinfonia [http://www.msccruises.co.za].
The best way to get around Durban is by car. Be sure to check that you have the latest updated street maps and/or GPS device as a number of street names have changed in recent months. It also helps to have a list of old and new names as some of the new names are vandalized.
* Car rentals in Durban.
* Car rentals in Durban.
* Car rentals in Durban.
* Car rentals in Durban.
JNC Helicopters offers VIP travel to and from any South African city as well as an infinite number of tourist flight combinations, from 20min sight seeing flights to complete tours that take you around any part of South Africa.
* King Shaka Aviation is Durban & Kwazulu Natal's premier helicopter charter operator specializing in VIP charters, sceinic flights to numerous local venues, Air-lifting operations & Utility services. With the most comprehensive fleet of aircraft locally available, King Shaka Aviation is best equipped for most requirements.
* Offers scenic flights up the Golden Coastline, to the Game Reserves or Drakensberg Mountains.
Durban is attempting to upgrade its public bus system in time for the world cup; however, problems with the union sometimes makes buses unreliable.
Durban People Mover [http://www.durbanpeoplemover.co.za/] buses feature CCTV cameras and wheelchair-friendly ramps. They run from 6AM until 11PM every 15 minutes. These buses stop in the CBD, the Victoria Street Market, the Workshop, Suncoast Casino, Ushaka Marine World and along the beach route. (R4 per trip, valid for 1 hour on a hop-on, hop-off basis; R10 for a full day pass on a hop-on, hop-off basis).
To travel between the Berea surbubs and the city its cheaper to travel by Mynah buses, R2.40 off peak (8AM 3:30PM), peak R3.80. The Mynah buses depart from the Workshop terminus every 30 minutes to Musgrave, The Ridge, Kensington, Mitchell Park/Florida road, Tollgate(cnr Aliwal/Smith streets), To South Beach/Ushaka, North Beach/Suncoast (in Pixley ka Seme {west} street, opposite the City Hall).
The Aqualine buses to the suburbs (depart from the Pine street terminus ) are usually within 5 minutes of the schedule every hour.Peak cash fare can be quite steep. If you're travelling daily by bus to work,its advisable to buy a weekly coupon, which can save you up to 35% of the cash fare. Fare, bus route & time table enquiries (+27 (0)31 309-5942/3).Please note that due to the ongoing dispute some routes have be suspended. *= service suspended.
*To Bluff (route 330/338/411/418 )
*To Queensburgh catch either one of these four buses, Malvern (route 112), Montgomery road (route 113), Shalcross/Hillview (route 140), Pinetown/Westmead (*route 840/842/843/849).service suspended.
*To Glenwood catch either one of these four buses, Berea Beach (*route 022/023), Umbilo (route 007),Glenmore (*route 086), Manor Gardens (*route 084).
*To Umhlanga Rocks/Gateway Mall catch the Aqualine bus(route 716/705)outside Nando's in Pixley ka Seme (West) street, departs every hour.
*To UKZN catch the Howard College bus (*route 070)/Westville campus (*route 075).Service suspended
*To Pinetown/Westville central/Westwood mall, catch Aqualine Pinetown/Westmead bus (*route 855,857,858,870,871,873,877,886).Service suspended
*To The Pavilion mall catch the Aqualine bus (*route 853/860 )route 853 departs from the Workshop terminus and route 860 departs from North Beach near Blue Waters hotel/Suncoast casino.Service suspended
Most buses depart on the hour every hour, check the bus schedule. Please note that sometimes to get to your destination, you might have to catch a couple to three buses. When not sure about bus route number, ask the locals or the bus driver (tell him the nearest landmark to your destination). Mynah buses do not have route numbers, only the destination will be displayed on the electronic display in front of the bus. Please note that u must flag the bus down to stop at the bus stop. It is advisable to have the exact change before you board the bus and get a receipt!
Registered taxis are common, generally safe and relatively inexpensive. Taxis do not rove and hence need to be called so that one can be fetched from your pick up point. A lot of these will conduct point to point transfers, airport shuttles, and corporate transfers. The ones that can be recommended for the Durban and surrounds are:
*East Coast Cabs,ph: +27826327410[http://www.eastcoastcabs.co.za]
*AAVIP Chauffeur taxi cabs,ph:+27(0)31 5395032,cell +27786727781[http://www.aavipchauffeur@gmail.com]
*Umhlanga Rocks Taxis (Ucabs), ph: +27 (0)31 561-1846, [http://www.ucabs.co.za]
*Eagle Taxi's, ph: +27 (0)31 337-8333
*Zippy Cabs, +27 (0)31 202-7067, [http://www.zippycabs.co.za]
*Mozzie Cabs, +27 (0)31 303-5787 (local toll share: 086 066-9943), [http://www.mozzie.co.za/]
Shashis taxis[http://www.shashislimousine.co.za] 0313031356 +27832726505
There are also group taxis, referred to as "combi taxis" (or "minibus taxis"), that are impossible to miss as (in Durban) they're brightly decorated and always have music pumping. There is always someone hanging out of a window making the hand gestures that indicate whether there are seats available and where the combi is going. Minibus taxis are very common and less expensive than metered taxis. Strictly speaking, they are minibuses that take people to and from work, they stick to set routes and they are generally not suitable for tourists unfamiliar with the area they are going to; when in doubt stick to metered taxis or buses. There are minibus taxis plying same routes as Mynah buses,they are more frequent and faster then buses.
Minibus taxis also provide longer distance services. Most leave from recognised ranks around the Umgeni Road. Services to Swaziland leave from the uncovered rank across the street from 22 Umgeni Road, not far from Durban train station. There is a building opposite the rank, emblazoned with this address in huge letters. Be advised that this area has a reasonably high risk rating for street crime, so be on your guard. If travelling to this rank by local minibus, ask for YMCA. The Swaziland combis tend to depart in the mornings and leave when full. 09:00AM seems to be a good time to arrive at the rank. Currently (Dec 2013),the fare from Durban to Manzini is 220SAR.
Rickshaw rides are offered to tourists along the beach front, for amusement rather than getting around. Watch out for the many ups and downs in the ride; the tipping back of the rickshaw cause the contents of your pockets to fall out, into the coffers of the drivers!
Poetry Africa [url=http://www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/Poetry_Africa.htm]]- International Festival of Poetry. Early October every year.
* Time of the Writer [url=http://www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/Time_of_the_writer.htm[/url]]- International Festival of Writing - March every year.
* Durban International Film Festival [url=http://www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/Durban_International_Film_Festival.htm[/url]]- International Festival of Film - July/August every year.
* Jomba! Contemporary Dance Festival [url=http://www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/Jomba_Contemporary_Dance_Experience.htm[/url]]- International Festival of Contempary Dance - every year.
* Awesome Africa [url=http://www.awesomeafricafestival.co.za/[/url]]- World Music Festival - September every year.
* MTN Durban Fashion Week [url=http://www.durbanfashionweek.co.za/[/url]]- For all fashion-lovers! June every year. For all fashion-lovers!
* Durban July [url=http://www.vodacomdurbanjuly.co.za/[/url]]- July every year.Africa's Premier Horse-Racing Event, with plenty of celebrities and walking fashion models to bump into.
* Hindu Festivals - There are dozens of these and you'll need to ask around because they're not well publicised, but there's one in Easter in the Umbilo area where devotees walk on hot coals, and another sometime between February and July (it moves) called Kavady where the devotees pierce their backs with hooks and drag decorated portable shrines. Not to be missed!
* Umhlanga (Rocks) Festivals [http://www.umhlanga-rocks.com/[/url] - Umhlanga is one of the most sought after beach holiday destinations in SA. It is popular with both local and international visitors. It sees a fair amount of internationals the world over who come to shop, unwind, party and have fun on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It is located on the east coast of SA, 15min north of the the port city of Durban. Some of the best accommodation options with excellent holiday apartments, luxury hotels, lodges and guesthouses are dotted around Umhlanga. It is fast becoming an attraction with its winter and summer festivals, street cafe culture, restaurants and pubs.
Its winter festival is held on the main beach and the summer festival on the main street where live jazz bands play out late into the evening
A must to visit.
Artery Rock Cottages located outside Durban.
* Run by Palmbloom family. Great atmosphere. Surf lessons, pool table, table tennis, dartboard, paintball, swimming pool, DVDs, beach horse rides, dive courses, braai, golf, kite/windsurfing, dolphin/whale watching.
* Close to the beach, the ICC, the mall and the city center. Pool, bar, internet, DSTV, laundry. Shuttle service. Tour booking.
* Jacuzzi under the stars, shower in the open air, snuggle around the bonfire. Free airport and shopping cneter pick ups/drop offs, free internet, kitchen, bar.
* This lodge has placed itself high with international and local travellers alike. It is a 4 star graded property by the South African Tourism Grading Council and is the 2008 winner in the South African Tourism Welcome Awards - Backpacking. It is also offers a totally smoke free environment, including the garden.
* Located 500m from the beach, but not the safest area. Rooftop bar, wi-fi. Kitchen, nice rooms.
* Private wooden huts, entertainment area.
* Since 1995. Log beds. Fans. Bambooza bar & Restaurant. Friendly owner when she's around; security is relaxed here with no locks on dorm rooms and the presence of non-guests on the property.
* Luxurious ensuite rooms with sea view. Air-conditioned dorms. Walking distance to La Lucia Mall.
*
* Cozy and tranquil, with pool and tropical garden. Shuttle service.
* A party hostel - don't expect clean bathrooms, comfortable beds, or a good night's sleep. Offers local tours, barbeques, walking distance to Durban Station.
*
*
*
*
*
*The Grange Guest House, 1 Monteith Place, upper Durban North, quiet, prestigious area, centrally located leafy suburban setting. Most rooms have sea views, huge family rooms and a wheelchair friendly room, r400-500 per person email agrange@iafrica.com tel: 031 563 6826 [http://www.thegrange.co.za]
* Lazy Lizard Guesthouse, Umhlanga Rocks, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Nestled in the heart of prestigious Umhlanga Rocks, the Lazy Lizard Guesthouse offers private, up market accommodation for both the holiday maker and the discerning business executive. [https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lazy-Lizard-Guesthouse/167410546717236]
* An Exclusive Private Beach House, With sea views spanning from Ballito in the North, to the Durban Point and light house in the South. The part of the beach it is on is usually very quiet.
* Hampshire Hotel Ballito, a South Africa luxury hotel near Durban, offers access to the beach, conference and meeting venues and special deals for family holidays, weekend getaways & business travel.
*
*
* Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani is the ultimate place to stay in Durban, with a total of 734 stylish rooms, two breakfast venues, two fully equipped gyms, 15 conference venues, eleven restaurants and bars, free high speed, quality connectivity WiFi and world class facilities.
*
*
*
*
*
*