Taking a taxi in the morning or evening outside of rush hours is probably the most reliable method of transport to the airport in densely populated Durban. It’s also possible to reach the airport with rented cars or shuttle company buses.

Taxi

You can reach the airport by taxi from the city centre in around 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic conditions. It might be a good idea to speak with the taxi driver beforehand and let them know your time of departure to not have any bad surprises for your journey. 

Shuttle Bus

The shuttle buses that leave for the airport depart from Durban Station in the city centre, depart once every day at 8:00, 11:00, and 16:00 and reach the airport in around half an hour.  

Car Rental

The traffic flows on the left side in Durban, so if you come from a country where you drive on the right it might be a better idea to hire a car with a driver rather than getting behind the steering wheel yourself. If you come from country where cars drive on the left side, you might be more at home with this option.

Airport Information

There is only one terminal in King Shaka Airport where there is an ABSA bank, which opens half an hour before the first flight and closes half an hour after the last flight. In addition, you can find financial services from the ATMs of First National Bank, Nedbank, and Standard Bank. There is a prayer room for Muslims, and a post office that offers services depending on the first and last flights of the day. There are baby and childcare rooms that mothers can use.

In addition to these services, the airport has many lounges. The most exclusive ones are the South African Airways Business Class Lounge, found near the entrance of the terminal, and BIDVest Premier Lounge. In these lounges you can order some food and rest on comfortable seating areas to read books or newspapers.

Airport restaurants include; Cape Town Fish Market, Cosmic Candy, Big Five Duty Free, Fego Coffee Shop, Kauai, KFC, Milky Lane, Mugg&Bean, Panarottis, Rhapsody’s, Spur, Steers, Sweet Treat, The Airport Cellar, and Wimpy. There is also a Yemaya Nail Express, Woolworts, Vodashop, Tie Stop, The Urban Retreat, The Scoin Shop, NWJ Fine Jewellery, Sneakers, Sunglass Hunt, Nike, MTN, Moda Luggage&Leather, Khasav, Jeep, EM Native, and Electro Electronics for your shopping needs.

Al-Aqiq Airport is located about 30 kilometers east of the city center. Transportation to the city center is provided by taxi or car rental services from the airport, which has welcome many domestic and foreign visitors for many years. Inside the airport are car parking areas, car rental offices, a restaurant and a shopping center.

Rent a car

You can reach the city center from the airport by renting a car without loss of time. You can easily rent a car visiting the car rental offices at the airport or make a reservation before your flight.

Hotel Transfer Services

Since there are not many transportation alternatives in the city center of Al-Aqiq, the hotels provide transfer services as a comfortable option for their guests. Many hotel services pick you up from the airport to your hotel. In order to benefit from this option, you should contact your hotel and make a reservation in advance. There are many hotels providing transfer service between the hotel and the airport in the city center.

Taxi

You can reach the city center by taking a taxi at the exit of Al-Aqiq Airport. Since public transportation is less preferred in the city center, visitors prefer taking a taxi to reach the city center from the airport. Before you get in the taxi, describing the location of the hotel clearly and negotiating with the driver about taxi fare could prevent potential misunderstandings and problems.