Durban taxis
To explore as much as possible during your visit to Durban, South Africa, a taxi is a great way to get around at your own pace and to reach some of the more remote destinations on the edge of the city, such as the city’s national parks and beaches. However, it’s important to note that in Durban, the term “taxi” often refers to shared minivans that cover fixed routes, much like a bus service, which locals primarily use for day-to-day transport.
Unfortunately, these minivan taxis aren’t very regulated and therefore not considered as safe as private taxis. Private taxis, which operate the same as regular taxis do in most parts of the world, generally seat four to seven passengers in sedans and station wagons and either use a taximeter or offer a fixed fare rate.
While it’s possible to flag a taxi down or take one from a taxi stand, it’s much more common to arrange one over the phone, to ensure you are taking a legitimate taxi. Licensed taxis should feature a company logo and registration card, and may or may not have a rooftop light featuring the company name or “TAXI”.
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| CITY CENTER TO THE BOTANICAL GARDENS | 3 € | 5 € | 8 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO PHEZULU SAFARI PARK | 23 € | 26 € | 40 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO USHAKA MARINE WORLD | 3 € | 5 € | 8 MIN |
| CITY CENTER TO PHANSI MUSEUM | 5 € | 7.20 € | 12 MIN |
| UMHLANGA ROCKS TO THE AIRPORT | 21.30 € | 21.30 € | 20 MIN |
| PORT OF DURBAN TO THE GOLDEN MILE | 3 € | 5 € | 8 MIN |
Durban taxi rates
Getting around by taxi in Durban is a fairly affordable way to travel. Both fixed rate and calibrated taximeter fares are available, with metered fares calculated using an initial base fee, a per kilometer cost, and a waiting (per hour) cost. The current taxi rates are as follows:
Initial base fee: €1.30 (ZAR 25)
Per km cost: €0.52 (ZAR 10)
Waiting time per hour: from €6.27 (ZAR 120)
It’s worth asking for a fixed rate quote even if the taxi has a taximeter, as it may be more affordable. Booking your transfer well in advance is another way to acquire a more affordable ride. Some taxi companies also apply a surcharge for rides taken between 17:30 to 6:30, so expect the cost of an evening/night to be an additional €1.60-2.60 (ZAR 30-50) per transfer.
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How to get a taxi in Durban
Taxis services in Durban are abundant, but in most cases, you’ll have to arrange a pickup either by calling for one on the spot or by having your pickup pre-arranged. Finding available taxis that you can hail on the street isn’t very common, or necessarily safe. The easiest way to get a Durban taxi is to request your ride through your hotel directly or ask for recommendations on a company that you can use at your convenience.
You can also take a taxi from an official Durban taxi rank. These are dotted around the city and are most commonly found outside transport hubs, including at Durban Station next to the main bus station downtown, and shopping centers. To avoid surprises, it’s best to only use licensed taxi companies, as rogue unlicensed drivers are known to operate in Durban.
How to get a taxi from King Shaka Airport
At Durban Airport, the official taxi stand can be found at the International Terminal outside the Arrival Hall. Bookings aren’t necessary, and taxis are available 24/7, but be sure to confirm whether you’ll be charged a metered or fixed-fare price before departing. From King Shaka Airport taxi to the city center, the cost of a taxi should be about €21.30 (ZAR 400).
How to get a taxi from Durban Main Bus Station
Taxis line up right in front of the main entrance of the bus station in a pretty disorderly fashion. Try to navigate your way to the front of the queue to the driver who has been waiting the longest, although you may get ushered into another waiting cab.
How to get a taxi at the Port of Durban
There are usually a handful of metered taxis waiting outside the Passenger Terminal near the main exit, however, it is more reliable to pre-book a taxi to ensure there will be one waiting for you so you don’t waste any time.
* Most of the cruise ship companies run a shuttle bus between the port and Shaka Marine Park for cruise passengers.
How to get a taxi from Moses Mabhida Stadium
Taxis stands can be found at each of the main entrances to the stadium, as well as next to the Sky Car Terminal. Keep in mind that unless there is an event on, there will be very few taxis waiting around in this area.
Most popular taxi apps in Durban
Using a Durban taxi app to order your taxi is a great way to ensure you are taking a licensed cab without having to stress about being taken advantage of, especially late at night when you are leaving a bar or restaurant. Well-known ride-hailing apps, Uber and Bolt, are available for use, as well as newcomer Yo! Taxi which is a South African company.
For airport rides, take the stress out of your journey by pre-booking your ride with Welcome Pickups. That way you can relax knowing that your driver will be there to pick you up at a time and place of your choosing.
Useful taxi numbers in Durban
If you don’t want to rely on WiFi or perhaps aren’t that tech-savvy, you may prefer to phone a Durban taxi number directly to arrange a call-out service. Below are the details of some of the most commonly used and well-known companies you can call for a taxi in Durban:
- Eagle Radio Taxi: +27 31 337 2442
- Rikki Cabs: +27 31 539 6844
- East Coast Cabs: +27 82 632 7410
- Ivory Cabs: +27 84 060 1973
Booking your Durban taxi in advance
Pre-booking your taxi service in Durban is a smart choice, especially for safety-conscious travelers. By arranging your ride in advance, you avoid having to find a taxi on the street or wait in line at taxi ranks, which is not always considered safe, especially at night.
When you book with a credible company like Welcome Pickups, you’ll secure an English-speaking driver who’ll meet you at your selected pickup point and take you directly to the door of your accommodation as swiftly as possible. Booking is quick and easy and since the payment will be taken at the time of booking, you don’t need to carry cash on you.
Durban taxi tips
- Minivan taxis aren’t well regulated and therefore not considered as safe as private taxis.
- Ask to be quoted a fixed-rate fare to your destination, as all taxis offer them and they may be a little more affordable, especially during peak hours.
- Metered taxis can be any color or make, so always check that the meter is working and that the vehicle and driver's registration details are on display.
- A €1.60 to €2.60 (ZAR 30-50) surcharge will apply to rides taken at night (17:30-06:30).
- There can often be lengthy wait times for taxis, even when using a ride-hailing app. If you want to guarantee that a driver will be ready to pick you up right on time, we suggest using a company like Welcome to pre-book your Durban taxi.
- Minivan taxis are white and must feature the colors of the South African flag.
- When using a taxi app to book your ride, be sure to use the built-in safety features such as sharing your live location with a friend or family member.
- If you aren’t using the meter, always agree on a price with your driver before starting your ride, and be sure to carry smaller notes.
- Once inside the vehicle, be sure to lock your passenger door.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Durban
There are a few private taxi companies in Durban with a few wheelchair-adapted vehicles in their fleet although finding one on the street would be a challenge. To guarantee availability on your day of travel, you should request a vehicle at least 24 hours in advance. One of the most well-known taxi companies that offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles is Rikki Cabs which can be contacted at +27 (0) 31 539 6844.
Durban taxi safety and complaints
Using a private taxi service in Durban is a safer option compared to using public transport or one of the public taxi vans. Just make sure that the taxi and driver are officially licensed through a legitimate taxi company since rogue and unlicensed drivers do operate in the city. Many taxis in Durban have recently been installed with safety cameras for added security.
If you’d like to make a complaint after a negative experience, contact the taxi company you used directly, providing details of the vehicle and driver registration, as well as a description of the incident. Serious incidents should be reported to the local police on +27 800 333 177.