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Getting from King Shaka Airport to Margate

Margate located on the south coast of South Africa, is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Renowned for its stunning coastline and some of the best beaches in the country, Margate will surprise and thrill its visitors with the many attractions and activities on offer.

Many travellers arriving at King Shaka Airport make travel plans to visit Margate which is located 167km southwest of the airport. Transportation between these locations is limited to two main options. The most convenient and comfortable option is to take an airport taxi or private transfer that will get you to Margate in under 2 hours. The alternative transport option from King Shaka Airport to Margate is a shuttle bus service. A few companies cover this route, but the most popular ones are Margate Mini Coach and Southern Shuttle. Travel time with one of these shared shuttle bus services is just under 3 hours.

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 €105 110min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €95 110min 24/7
Bus €22.60 170min 10:00–18:30

How to get from King Shaka Airport to Margate by taxi

Taxis at King Shaka Airport are available 24/7, so no matter the time of day you arrive, a taxi to Margate is a definite option. The considerable distance and, therefore, the time needed to make this journey makes a taxi the ideal choice. Taxis can be hired directly at the airport but it is recommended to book your taxi in advance with a reliable company such as Welcome Pickups to avoid potential delays or waiting times.

Taxi fare from King Shaka Airport to Margate

You can expect a taxi or private shuttle from Durban Airport to Margate to cost between €85-110 (ZAR 1,650-2,150) depending on the taxi company you use. Fares are either calculated by taximeter or you can request to be quoted a fixed-rate fare. Fixed-rate fares are usually a little more affordable and may cost even less when booked well in advance of your transfer.

Cost

€95 (ZAR 1,850)

Trip Duration

110 minutes

The taxi fare quoted is an average cost (fixed fare) and will vary between different taxi providers.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Taxis at King Shaka Airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

King Shaka Airport has a designated ground transport area which also incorporates an assigned section just for taxis. It is easy to find and is located just outside of the arrivals terminal on the ground level of the airport.

Convenience

When taking into account the distance from Durban Airport to Margate, it is no surprise that a taxi will be the most convenient mode of transport. It will not only be the fastest way to conduct this journey, but you will also travel in comfort and complete privacy. The other great advantage is its 24/7 availability, so whatever time your flight arrives at King Shaka Airport, you will have the option of taking a taxi.

Editor’s Note

For long transfers such as this one, it is recommended to book your transfer in advance and request a set fare. It will guarantee availability for your required date and time of travel and will you be quoted the most competitive price.

Useful Tips

For the purposes of safety, make sure the taxi you are taking is a registered, licensed taxi, as rogue drivers offering taxi services are known to operate in the area.
Many taxis only accept cash payments, so make sure you have enough cash to cover the taxi fare for longer trips such as this one.
Many taxi providers charge extra for transfers between 17:30 and 6:30. If you plan on travelling with a taxi between these hours, ask your driver if they will be adding any additional costs to your end fare..

How to get from King Shaka Airport to Margate by shuttle bus

There is no public transport from Durban Airport to Margate. The only alternative to a taxi or private transfer is a shared shuttle from King Shaka Airport to Margate. This travel option is a bus service offered by a few different private bus companies – the most popular being the Margate Mini Coach and the Southern Shuttle. Both companies have 3-4 departures from the airport daily, starting from 10:00 till 18:30 and the average journey takes just under 3 hours.

Bus fare from King Shaka Airport to Margate

The shared shuttle from King Shaka Airport to Margate provided by Margate Mini Coach and Southern Shuttle costs €11.30 (ZAR 220) per person. In most cases, to avoid ticket availability issues for your preferred date and time of travel, tickets and seat reservations should be purchased at least one week in advance online. Southern Shuttle sometimes accepts same-day bookings if seats are still available, but reservations need to be made over the phone (+27 39 682 1065).

Cost

€11.30 (ZAR 220)

Trip Duration

170 minutes

There are 3-4 departures from the airport daily from 10:00 to 18:30 and the fare charged by both providers is the same.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Buses depart the airport at 10:00, 13:30, 15:30 daily. Margate Mini Coach also offers a 18:30 service all year round whilst Southern Shuttle only offers a 18:00 service in December and January or on request (minimum 8 passengers).

Where do I get the bus from?

Both bus providers depart from a designated ground transport area at the airport, which is located on the ground level, outside the Arrivals terminal building, just behind the taxi section.

Convenience

The option of taking a bus from King Shaka Airport to Margate is convenient and very affordable. The limited departures (up to 4 per day) however, will not suit everyone, and there may be long wait times between services. Passengers should also take into account the length of the journey, especially after a long flight.

Editor’s Note

Each bus has a limited number of seats, so definitely book your bus ticket in advance (at least one week), in order to guarantee availability for your preferred date/time of travel.

Useful Tips

If you haven’t pre booked your ticket, you may still try to purchase a ticket directly from the bus operator at the airport if seats are still available, although that's risky!
Both bus companies offer group bookings of an entire bus which may be more affordable (minimum of eight passengers). Contact either Margate Mini Coach or Southern Shuttle for further enquiries.
King Shaka Airport to Margate is a long trip (170 minutes) so grab some food and water before you get on board.
Wheelchair accessibility can be provided for these bus services but a request to the operator needs to be made in advance.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

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

Read more

Prices

DAYTIME
€105.0
NIGHTTIME
€126.0
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

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Frequently asked questions

What’s the distance from Durban Airport to Margate?

The distance from Durban Airport to Margate is 167km. Travel time for this journey by taxi or a private transfer will take just under 2 hours, while the transportation time by shuttle bus will be closer to 3 hours.

How do I get from King Shaka Airport to Margate?

As there is no public transport from the airport, there are two main ways of getting from King Shaka Airport to Margate. The fastest and most comfortable option is to take a taxi or private transfer. Alternatively, you can take one of the shared shuttle bus services that travel to Margate and also stop off at specific destinations along the way.

Is there a direct bus from King Shaka Airport to Margate?

Although there is no public transportation, indeed, there is a direct bus from King Shaka Airport to Margate provided by a few private companies in the form of a shared shuttle bus. This service runs 3-4 times a day and makes a number of stops along the way to Margate. The two most popular operators are Margate Mini Coach and Southern Shuttle.

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