King Shaka International Airport (DUR) Guide 2026
King Shaka International Airport (IATA: DUR, ICAO: FALE) is the primary airport serving Durban and KwaZulu-Natal province. Opened in 2010 ahead of the FIFA World Cup, it is a modern facility located 35 km north of Durban city centre near La Mercy. Named after King Shaka kaSenzangakhona, the legendary founder of the Zulu Kingdom, the airport handles over 5 million passengers annually and serves as a gateway to South Africa's warm east coast.
Airport Overview
| IATA Code | DUR |
| Location | La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Distance to City Centre | 35 km north of Durban CBD |
| Terminals | 1 (domestic and international in one building) |
| Annual Passengers | ~5.6 million |
| Runways | 1 (3,700m) |
| Operator | Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) |
| Elevation | 92 metres (302 ft) |
Getting There & Away
| Transport | Destination | Cost (ZAR) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Taxi | Durban CBD | R400-600 | 30-40 min | Metered, from taxi rank |
| Uber/Bolt | Durban CBD | R250-400 | 30-40 min | Pick-up at arrivals |
| Uber/Bolt | Umhlanga Rocks | R100-180 | 10-15 min | Closest beach resort area |
| Airport Shuttle | Durban hotels | R300-500 | 35-50 min | King Shaka Shuttle, book in advance |
| Car Hire | Self-drive | R250-800/day | N/A | Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Tempest |
Note: King Shaka Airport is further from the city centre than the old Durban airport was. Allow 30-45 minutes to reach central Durban or the beachfront via the N2 highway. Umhlanga Rocks is the closest resort area (10-15 minutes).
Terminal Facilities
- Lounges: SLOW Lounge, Bidvest Premier Lounge
- Food & Drink: Mugg & Bean, Wimpy, Ocean Basket, Kauai, Vida e Caffe, local cuisine
- Shopping: Duty-free (international departures), books, fashion, South African crafts and gifts
- WiFi: Free WiFi available throughout the terminal
- Charging Points: Available at departure gates
- ATMs: ABSA, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank
- Currency Exchange: Travelex and Bidvest forex bureaux
- Medical: Airport medical centre available
The terminal is modern (opened 2010), spacious, and well-maintained. Domestic and international areas are in the same building, making connections straightforward.
Immigration & Visa
Standard South African visa rules apply (same as OR Tambo and Cape Town):
- Visa-Free: UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia (90 days), SADC countries (30-90 days)
- Visa Required: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan — apply before travel
- Required: Passport (2+ blank pages, 30+ days validity), return ticket, accommodation proof
Queue Times: King Shaka has fewer international arrivals than OR Tambo, so immigration processing is typically faster (10-20 minutes).
Customs & Declaration
- Currency: Up to ZAR 25,000 cash; US$10,000 foreign currency without declaration
- Alcohol: 1 litre spirits, 2 litres wine
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars
- Gifts: Up to R5,000 in value
- Prohibited: Narcotics, ivory, firearms without permit
Currency Exchange & SIM Cards
Currency Exchange
- Forex: Travelex and Bidvest in arrivals hall
- ATMs: All major South African banks; international cards accepted
- Card payments: Widely accepted including contactless/tap-to-pay
SIM Cards
| Operator | SIM Cost | 1GB Data | Coverage in KZN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | R5 | R99 | Excellent |
| MTN | R5 | R99 | Excellent |
| Cell C | R5 | R69 | Good in cities |
Airlines Operating at King Shaka
| Airline | Destinations | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Dubai | International |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | International |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | International |
| South African Airways | Johannesburg | Domestic |
| FlySafair | Johannesburg, Cape Town | Domestic |
| Airlink | Johannesburg, regional | Domestic |
| CemAir | Various domestic | Domestic |
Accommodation Near the Airport
Near Airport / Umhlanga
- Fairmont Zimbali Lodge — 5 km, luxury golf resort ($200-400/night)
- Gateway Hotel — Umhlanga, 15 km, near Gateway Mall (R800-1,400/night)
- Protea Hotel Umhlanga — 15 km, beachfront, popular (R1,200-2,000/night)
Durban Beachfront (35 km)
- The Oyster Box — Umhlanga, iconic 5-star hotel (R4,000-8,000/night)
- Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani — Durban beachfront, great views (R1,500-2,800/night)
- Happy Hippo Backpackers — Point area, budget option (R200-400/night)
Tips for Travellers
Arrival Tips
- Durban is subtropical — warm and humid year-round (average 25-30°C)
- Umhlanga Rocks is only 15 minutes from the airport and a great first-night base
- Hire a car if planning to explore the Drakensberg, Battlefields, or game reserves
- Uber and Bolt work well in Durban and surrounds
Departure Tips
- Arrive 2-3 hours before international flights, 1.5 hours for domestic
- The terminal is modern and comfortable for waiting
- Good duty-free shopping for South African gifts
Transit Tips
- Most international connections go via Johannesburg OR Tambo
- Domestic and international areas are in the same terminal
- If you have a long layover, Umhlanga beach is only 15 minutes away
Frequently Asked Questions
Airport taxis cost R400-600 (30-40 min via N2). Uber/Bolt costs R250-400. Airport shuttle services run to major hotels (R300-500, book in advance). Car hire is available from R250/day.
35 km north of Durban CBD via the N2 highway (30-45 min drive). Umhlanga Rocks is much closer at 15 km (10-15 min). The airport replaced the old Durban International Airport in 2010.
Yes, direct flights to Dubai (Emirates), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Most other international connections are via Johannesburg OR Tambo, with frequent domestic flights on the route.
Absolutely. Durban offers warm Indian Ocean beaches, world-class surfing, uShaka Marine World, vibrant Indian cuisine (bunny chow is a must-try), Zulu cultural experiences, and is the gateway to the Drakensberg mountains and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve.
Yes, all major companies: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Tempest. Desks are in the arrivals hall. Rates start from R250-400/day. A car is highly recommended for exploring KwaZulu-Natal's attractions.