King Shaka International Airport (DUR) Information

(Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Durban International Airport closed in 2010, being officially replaced by the King Shaka International, which is named after the Zulu nation's legendary 19th-century leader. The King Shaka International Airport, situated north of Durban in a community called La Mercy, is about three times the size of the city's former international air facility.

Domestic passengers formed the vast majority of the five million+ people who entered the King Shaka International Airport during its first full year of operation. Dubai is currently the only direct destination. The facility has already become South Africa's third busiest and ranks among the ten busiest airports on the entire continent.

All departing flights at the King Shaka International Airport leave from the passenger terminal's upper floor. Arriving flights enter from this state-of-the-art facility's lower floor.

King Shaka International Airport (DUR)

Address: King Shaka Drive / N2 Road, La Mercy, 4405, South Africa
Tel: +32 436 6000
La Mercy Airport is another commonly used name for the King Shaka International Airport, after the hub's suburban location about 35 km / 22 miles from Durban city centre. Although the complex is relatively new, its passenger terminal is already close to exceeding its maximum capacity.

Facilities:

• Over 50 retail outlets on the lower floor
• Outdoor piazza with four restaurants
• Ground floor food court
• Big Five duty free outlets in Arrivals and Departures areas
• Car hire from ten different companies on the passenger terminal's south side
• Three ATMs and two banks on the passenger terminal's ground floor

Cars and Taxis

Three major roads surround the site on three sides, while the Mdloti River estuary forms the southern boundary. The M43 lies to the north, the N2 motorway travels east and the R102 heads west. Driving in Durban and the surrounding Zululand region is fairly easy, although car hire companies will expect their vehicles to be returned directly to their offices. Those wishing to take taxis have about six different companies to choose from.

Book your Durban Car Rental here.

Buses

At least three different private shuttle bus companies serve the airport in addition to numerous hotel shuttle bus services. Wheelchair ramps and closed circuit cameras are installed in each of the People Mover buses, which run every 15 minutes and stop at most major Durban attractions. Mynah and Aqualine are the buses which travel to Durban's suburbs, but their schedules can be confusing for first-time visitors.

Trains

The airport has no direct rail service, but Durban's main train station stands in the heart of its city centre. MetroRail trains travel throughout the city's suburbs and to nearby smaller towns, while Spoornet trains travel daily to Johannesburg and weekly to Cape Town. Several smaller South African cities can also be reached aboard Spoornet trains.