✓ Verified flight hub Reviewed by VistaVoyage editorial team ·
✈ King Shaka International Airport (DUR) 📍 Durban, South Africa 🛫 11+ routes

Cheap Flights from Durban

King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is located 35 km north of Durban's city centre in La Mercy. It's a modern airport that serves all major South African domestic routes and some regional African destinations. The airport is well connected by shuttle services, Uber, and car hire. Allow extra time for the drive from central Durban, especially during peak traffic hours.

Compare Live Prices on Travelstart →
DUR
IATA Code
11+
Destinations
February
Best value months
4–8 weeks
Ideal booking window

All Flights from Durban

Click any route to compare live prices and book via Travelstart.

Durban → Johannesburg ~1h FlySafair, Lift, SAA, CemAir Durban → Cape Town ~2h FlySafair, SAA, Airlink Durban → Lanseria ~1h 10m FlySafair Durban → Gqeberha ~1h 20m Airlink Durban → East London ~1h Airlink Durban → Bloemfontein ~1h 20m Airlink, CemAir Durban → George ~2h Airlink Durban → Nelspruit ~1h 10m Airlink Durban → Hoedspruit ~1h 30m Airlink Durban → Richards Bay ~40m Airlink Durban → Maputo ~1h Airlink

Browse the full South Africa flights hub →

Booking Tips for Flights from Durban

  • Best value months: February, September–October
  • Peak periods (book early): July school holidays, December–January
  • Best day of week: Tuesday or Wednesday
  • Ideal booking window: 4–8 weeks ahead for most routes
  • King Shaka is 35 km from central Durban — factor in travel time. The Durban–Joburg route is one of SA's busiest and cheapest. For Kruger access, consider a Durban–Nelspruit route via Airlink.

Search Live Flights from Durban

Real-time pricing from Travelstart — compare all airlines on your route.

VistaVoyage
Loading live flight search…

* Partnered with Travelstart. Commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.

✓ Verified hub Reviewed by VistaVoyage editorial team ·
Travelstart Skyscanner

Airlines we compare

FlySafair Lift CemAir Airlink South African Airways

How to book cheap flights on VistaVoyage

Three steps. No account needed. No hidden fees.

🔍

1. Search live prices

Use the search widget above to enter your route and travel dates. Live fares from multiple airlines load instantly.

📅

2. Compare dates & airlines

Toggle between airlines and adjust your dates. Flying a day earlier or later regularly turns up cheaper seats.

✅

3. Book securely via Travelstart

Click through to Travelstart — one of Africa’s largest OTAs since 1999. Payment is encrypted. Your confirmation comes directly from the airline.

💡 Pro tip: Book 4–8 weeks out for the best prices. Prices on popular domestic routes rise sharply within 2 weeks of departure.

Frequently Asked Questions — Flights from Durban

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

King Shaka International Airport is 35 km north of Durban in La Mercy. The drive takes 35–50 minutes depending on traffic on the N2. Uber, metered taxis, shuttle services, and car hire are all available.

What is the cheapest route from Durban?

Durban to Johannesburg is one of South Africa's cheapest and most competitive domestic routes — with multiple daily flights from FlySafair, Lift, and SAA keeping prices competitive.

Which airlines fly from Durban?

FlySafair, Lift, Airlink, CemAir, and South African Airways operate from King Shaka International Airport. FlySafair and Lift dominate the Durban–Joburg route. Airlink covers regional routes like Richards Bay and Hoedspruit.

Is King Shaka a big airport?

King Shaka International Airport is a modern, mid-sized airport completed in 2010. It is easy to navigate with a single terminal building handling domestic and international departures.

Can I fly directly from Durban to Kruger?

Yes. Airlink operates flights from Durban (King Shaka) to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit/MQP) and Hoedspruit (HDS), both key Kruger gateway airports.

King Shaka International Airport (DUR)

King Shaka International Airport opened in 2010 and is located in La Mercy, approximately 35 km north of Durban's city centre and 15 km north of Umhlanga. It's a modern, well-designed airport with good facilities, efficient security, and straightforward domestic terminals. The 35 km distance from central Durban is the main inconvenience — always factor in 45–60 minutes travel time, more during peak traffic on the N2.

Getting to King Shaka: Uber from the city centre or Umhlanga takes 35–50 minutes. Shuttle services operate to Durban CBD, Umhlanga, and the South Coast. Car hire is available at the terminal. Allow at least 90 minutes before your departure during peak periods.

If you're in Umhlanga or La Mercy: The airport is significantly closer — 15–20 minutes — making it one of the most conveniently located airports for that area of KwaZulu-Natal.

King Shaka International Airport — practical guide

King Shaka International Airport (DUR) opened in 2010 to replace the old Durban International Airport and is located in La Mercy, 35 km north of Durban's city centre. The airport is named after the Zulu king and serves as KwaZulu-Natal's main gateway. It handles all major domestic routes plus a growing selection of regional African destinations. The terminal is single-level on the landside and straightforward to navigate — domestic and international check-in are clearly separated, and the airport consistently ranks among South Africa's more efficient facilities.

Ground transport from King Shaka to central Durban takes 30–45 minutes by Uber or metered taxi under normal traffic conditions, and up to 60–75 minutes during peak hours on the N2. The Durban CBD, uShaka Marine World, the Berea and Umhlanga are all within this range. Umhlanga — arguably the most popular destination for Johannesburg-bound visitors — is actually closer to the airport than central Durban, at around 15–20 minutes. Car hire desks from all major operators are located on the ground floor of the terminal.

Flying from Durban: airport fast facts

DetailInfo
IATA codeDUR
Full nameKing Shaka International Airport
LocationLa Mercy, 35 km north of Durban CBD
Main domestic carriersFlySafair, Lift, SAA, Airlink, CemAir
Uber / taxi to CBD~35–50 min (R250–R350 typical)
Uber to Umhlanga~15–20 min (R120–R180 typical)
Car hire on-siteYes — Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty
Check-in opens2 hours before departure (domestic)

Best value months to fly from Durban

February and March are consistently the cheapest months to fly from Durban — post-festive season demand drops, school is in, and airlines discount to fill seats. August and September offer the second-best window. Avoid December (festive surge), June/July (school holidays), and Easter long weekends when fares spike across all routes. On the JNB corridor specifically, Tuesday and Wednesday morning departures price lower than Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings almost year-round.

Fly-drive tips from King Shaka

Airlines Flying from Durban

FlySafair — Main low-cost carrier from Durban. Routes include Johannesburg (OR Tambo), Cape Town, George, Gqeberha, and Lanseria. Competitive pricing with frequent daily departures.
Lift — Operates DUR–JNB and DUR–CPT routes. Worth comparing against FlySafair for the Golden Triangle.
Airlink — Covers regional routes from Durban to Gqeberha, East London, Bloemfontein, George, Nelspruit, Hoedspruit and select African destinations. Usually includes checked baggage.
CemAir — Serves Johannesburg and selected smaller cities from Durban.
South African Airways (SAA) — Domestic and select international routes from King Shaka.

Top Flight Destinations from Durban

→ Johannesburg (~1h) — SA's most frequent domestic route. FlySafair, Lift, SAA and CemAir all operate multiple daily flights. Very competitive pricing.
→ Cape Town (~2h) — Golden Triangle route with multiple daily departures. Strong competition keeps fares competitive.
→ Lanseria (~1h) — Direct to north Johannesburg via FlySafair. Ideal if you're heading to Sandton or Midrand.
→ Hoedspruit (~1h) — Airlink route to Kruger's western private game reserves.
→ George (~2h) — Garden Route connection via Airlink. Garden Route guide →

When Are Flights from Durban Cheapest?

Durban flight prices track national school holidays closely:

  • February–March: Cheapest period. Post-December lull with no school holidays.
  • May and August–September: Good value windows between school holiday peaks.
  • June–July: School holidays — prices spike significantly on the JNB and CPT routes.
  • December–January: Peak coastal holiday season. Fares and accommodation at their highest.

Read more: Cheapest months to fly in SA | 12 strategies for cheap SA flights

Travel Guides & Resources

More flights from Durban

Flights to Dubai Flights to Doha Flights to Harare Flights to Kimberley Flights to Livingstone Flights to Margate Flights to Mauritius Flights to Mthatha Flights to Phalaborwa Flights to Plettenberg Bay Flights to Polokwane Flights to Port Elizabeth Flights to Sishen Flights to Skukuza Flights to Upington Flights to Victoria Falls Flights to Windhoek Flights to Zanzibar

Fly from another South African city

Not departing from here? Browse every domestic route from another major South African airport — fares, airlines and booking in one place.

✈ From JohannesburgOR Tambo — all routes ✈ From Cape TownCPT — all routes ✈ From GqeberhaPort Elizabeth airport ✈ From BloemfonteinBFN — all routes ✈ From East LondonELS — all routes ✈ From LanseriaHLA — all routes ✈ From GeorgeGRJ — all routes ✈ From HoedspruitEastgate (HDS) — all routes ✈ From KimberleyKIM — all routes ✈ From MargateMGH — all routes ✈ From NelspruitKruger Mpumalanga (MQP) ✈ From PolokwanePTG — all routes ✈ From Richards BayRCB — all routes ✈ From SkukuzaKruger (SZK) ✈ From UpingtonUTN — all routes
Ready to book your flight from Durban?
Search Live Prices Open Travelstart →