How to get from King Shaka Airport to Durban City Centre

Durban is the perfect base from which to enjoy this richly diverse province of South Africa. From beautiful golden beaches to spectacular safari parks, Durban will surprise and dazzle you with its wonderful travel experiences.

There are two main transport options to get from King Shaka Airport to Durban city centre. An airport taxi or private transfer is the most convenient and fastest option available and will cover the 35 km distance in about 35 minutes. There is no public transport option; the only alternative is to take one of the many shared bus shuttle services into the city. The King Shaka Airport Shuttle, the Margate Mini Coach and King Shaka International Airbus are some of the most popular shared bus services. They provide transport to a number of different hotels, many of Durban’s best-known attractions and the main bus station.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Durban at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€28	35min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€20	35min	24/7
Shuttle	€10	60min	07:30–22:30

How to get from King Shaka Airport to Durban by taxi

Taking a taxi is the easiest option to get from King Shaka Airport to Durban. Taxis at the airport are in great abundance, available 24/7 and will transfer you to your hotel quickly and with privacy. This is a great advantage after a long flight and the convenience of travelling from the airport to your hotel in private is unmistakable. Due to the popularity of taxis as a transport option, it is recommended that you book your King Shaka Airport taxi in advance to avoid delays or having to queue for your transfer vehicle.

Taxi fare from Durban Airport to the city centre

The taxi fare from King Shaka Airport, aka Durban Airport, to the city centre will cost a minimum of €20 (ZAR 415), depending on your destination in the city. Durban taxi fares can be either calculated by taximeter or you can request a fixed-rate fare quote when arranging for a transfer. Welcome Pickups offer a guaranteed all-inclusive fare that is competitive and that can be booked in advance.

Cost

€20 (ZAR 415)

Trip Duration

35 minutes

Some taxi companies charge extra (€1.45-2.45 (ZAR 30-50)) for transfers between 17:30 and 6:30. Ask your driver if you are taking a cab between these times.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis at King Shaka Airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Taxis at King Shaka Airport can be found in the designated transport area of the airport. This area is located on the ground level just outside the arrivals terminal.

Convenience

A taxi or private transfer service from King Shaka Airport to Durban is undoubtedly the most convenient method of travel. It is the fastest option and the only door-to-door service that will take you directly to your destination of choice. This convenience would be especially appreciated after a long flight or if you are travelling with children and a lot of baggage.

Editor’s Note

Look into booking your taxi transfer in advance or requesting a set fare, as these are often great ways of acquiring a more affordable taxi fare.

Useful Tips

For safety, always use registered taxis in Durban as rogue drivers are known to operate in the city. Use reliable companies only, and look for driver and vehicle licenses that should be easily identified once you’re in the vehicle.

Taxis in Durban are most commonly requested via telephone or pre-booked in advance. Hailing a taxi on the street isn’t very common and not an easy task to achieve. If you are on the street and need a taxi, either call for one directly or look for the nearest taxi rank.

Not all taxis accept card payments, so unless you’ve booked and paid for your transfer in advance, try and have some cash available to cover the fare.

Some taxis charge an extra €1.45-2.45 (ZAR 30-50) for transfers between 17:30 and 6:30. If you are taking an evening/late night transfer ask your driver about the estimated cost, including any additional fees.

How to get from King Shaka Airport to Durban by shared shuttle

There are a number of shared shuttle companies that offer bus transportation services to Durban city centre. It is the only alternative to taking a private transfer or taxi and they cover a very large part of the city, including the major hotels, many of Durban’s attractions and the main bus station. The most popular shared shuttle bus companies are the King Shaka Airport Shuttle, Margate Mini Coach, King Shaka International Airbus and Southern Shuttle. They run every day from about 7:30 to 22:30, at intervals of about 30-45 minutes, and the average travel time to the city is about 45-60 minutes depending on where you need to disembark.

How much does the shuttle cost?

The cost of the shared shuttle bus from Durban Airport to the city centre starts from about €5 (ZAR 100) and can reach up to €9 (ZAR 180) for an adult ticket. The cost will depend on the bus company you use and the location (distance travelled) of your stop. Tickets on most buses can be purchased on the day of travel directly from the driver and payment is made in cash.

Cost

From €5 (ZAR 100)

Trip Duration

45-60 minutes

Tickets for the majority of the shared shuttle buses do not have to be booked in advance and can be purchased on the day of travel.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The shared shuttle bus services run every day from 7:30 to 22:30, with departures every 30-45 minutes.

Where do I get the shuttle bus from?

The shared shuttle buses at King Shaka Airport are located on the ground level, outside the arrivals terminal, just behind the designated taxi area.

Convenience

With no public transport option to get from Durban Airport to the city, the shared shuttle bus service is a convenient and affordable travel option. Although these bus services stop at a number of popular destinations in the city, they still may not suit everyone. You may still have to carry your baggage from the bus stop to your final destination. Travel time compared to a taxi is also increased due to the several stops the buses make.

Editor’s Note

The bus company you will use will depend on the availability of each company at the time of your arrival at the shared shuttle bus area of the airport.

Useful Tips

Have cash available as most of the shared shuttle bus companies do not accept card payments.

The Margate Mini Coach bus can only be booked in advance and allows you to make an online payment for your seat reservation.

Child seats and wheelchair accessibility can be provided on the bus service but need to be requested in advance.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Durban. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€28.0

NIGHTTIME

€33.6

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How do I get from King Shaka Airport to Durban city centre?

There are two main ways of getting from King Shaka Airport to Durban city centre, as there are no public transport options available. The first and most convenient way is to get a Durban Airport taxi or private transfer that will get you into the city in about 35 minutes. The alternative is to choose one of the shared shuttle bus companies that stop off at a number of popular locations in the city.

What's the taxi fare from Durban Airport to the city?

The taxi fare from Durban Airport to the city will cost from €20 (ZAR 415) depending on your destination downtown. Durban taxis offer both fixed rates and taximeter-calculated fares. For guaranteed fixed-rate fares at a competitive price and no hidden costs, you can book your transfer with a reliable company like Welcome Pickups.

Is there a direct bus from Durban Airport to the city?

Yes, there is a direct shuttle bus from Durban Airport to the city. The service is provided by several private companies offering shared shuttles from the airport, stopping off at Durban’s leading hotels, the main bus station and some of the city’s popular attractions. Some of the more popular companies providing their services are the King Shaka Airport Shuttle, Margate Mini Coach, King Shaka International Airbus and Southern Shuttle.

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How to get from King Shaka Airport to Durban by taxi

Taxi fare from Durban Airport to the city centre

Cost

€20 (ZAR 415)

Trip Duration

35 minutes

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis at King Shaka Airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from King Shaka Airport to Durban by shared shuttle

How much does the shuttle cost?

Cost

From €5 (ZAR 100)

Trip Duration

45-60 minutes

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

The shared shuttle bus services run every day from 7:30 to 22:30, with departures every 30-45 minutes.

Where do I get the shuttle bus from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from King Shaka Airport to Durban city centre?

What's the taxi fare from Durban Airport to the city?

Is there a direct bus from Durban Airport to the city?

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The best way to arrive in Durban

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