There are two kinds of taxis in Durban; metered taxis and minibus taxis. A metered taxi cannot drive around and solicit fares, they can only be ordered over the phone to specific locations. There are several reputable companies such as Zippy, Mozzie, and Eagle. Prices can be negotiated upfront or use the meter, most taxis do not accept credit cards. They cost around R18 for the meter drop, plus R25 per mile.  Uber and Taxify are an alternative to taxis that allow riders to request a ride through the app on demand.   

The city has a long tradition as a port city, formerly known as Port Natal, it is one of the few natural harbors between Port Elizabeth, and Maputo. It has the biggest passenger terminal in Africa. There is a cruise ship dock in Durban with a few “one-way” entries by boat to the city. 

MSC Sinfonia is the cruise line that is available, the ferry cruise travels between Durban and Mozambique, Mauritius, and Cape Town. MSC Splendida is based in Durban for the cruise season from November to April every year. Cruise destinations on Splendida include Mozambique, Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, and other domestic destinations like Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town.  The RMS Queen Mary 2 is the biggest ocean liner in the world cruises into Durban

The sprawling Durban Railway Station is located along Umgeni Road, the central railway station can be found about 0.62 miles north of the city center. MetroRail operates a frequent commuter train from various suburbs of Durban and towns nearby such as Pinetown and the resort towns of the south coast and the north coast. There is only one passenger train service from Durban to Johannesburg; Shosholoza Meyl which takes about 15 hours. There is a high-speed rail link that’s been proposed between Johannesburg and Durban. 

Renting a car when visiting Durban is a good idea with various rental car companies available in the city center like Dollar, Avis, and Europcar with daily prices that start around R140. It is not advised to drive in the central business district as traffic can be very congested and unsafe at night. The city’s position as a port of entry onto the southern African continent has led to the development of national roads around it.  

Durban is a walkable city, it is a beautiful city worth exploring on foot. The city features color-coded and numbered walking paths throughout the city center that lead walkers to the beachfront and along the promenade. Durban’s Golden Mile stretches for 3.7 miles along the sandy beach where visitors can enjoy the beach and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. There are plenty of beachside dining options along the shore along with swimming pools on the esplanade hotels, and shops.  The 1.24-mile tree-adorned Morningside Florida Road is the unofficial title of Durban’s favorite street. It runs from the rose gardens of Jameson Park to Greyville and is beautifully adorned with Edwardian and Victorian-style houses. It is the perfect setting for some window shopping, and outside dining with many restaurants, shops, and nightclubs. The Cenotaph is a beautiful tree-lined plaza set in downtown Durban another great location for a stroll. 

Durban is considered a very safe destination to visit. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Be sure to keep your car doors locked even when in the vehicle, and at night remove any valuables.

Shoppers will find different shopping locations throughout the city such as local shops, shopping centers, shopping malls, and busy markets. Gateway Theatre of Shopping is said to be the largest mall in the southern hemisphere boasting a wide range of retailers and dining options. There is also plenty of entertainment for the kids with a skateboard park and an artificial wave at the Wavehouse. Essenwood Craft Market is the place to find Zulu art and soapstone figurines. The I Heart Market is overflowing with arts, crafts, and food stalls found at Moses Mabhida on the first Saturday of every month. There are bustling markets found all along the beaches in Durban selling some unique authentic items perfect for souvenirs to take home. Victoria Street Market is the oldest market in the city offering an Afro-Indian blend of over 200 vibrant stalls that sell traditional African artwork, Indian spices, bags, traditional clothing, and even fresh seafood. The market also sells some delicious snacks and operates from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm during weekdays, and slightly shorter hours on the weekends. 

Some traditional items to look for when shopping in Durban include tribal masks, spices, jewelry, hand-woven baskets, Zulu beadwork, wickerwork, wirework, tam-tams, and traditional medicines. 

The beaches in Durban are one of the main attractions drawing sunseekers and holiday-goers to the city’s Golden Mile that stretches along the city’s oceanfront. Visitors can find some of the best swimming and surfing beaches in the country. Durban sits along a natural bay with many piers and protective shark nets making it one of the safest stretches of coastline in South Africa. South Beach is a small beach near uShaka Marine World, a great family beach and also good for beginner surfers. There is a nice restaurant and bar on the pier for snacks and refreshments. North Beach is the most popular beach in Durban, great for sunbathing, swimming, body boarding, and paddle boarding with some nice waves. New Pier/Dairy Beach is another favorite, especially among surfers. The Bay of Plenty is a popular sunbathing spot, and for its pier where fishing is the main attraction. It is a great place to watch the local fishermen in action. There are six piers between Blue Lagoon and the Moyo Pier, it is possible to hire a bicycle and ride between the laid-back outdoor coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants. It is also a great place to enjoy watching the lively beachfront activities like Durban’s famous sand sculptures. 

Beachgoers can even head a little further south to discover more tourist-friendly beaches like Margate, and Ramsgate both about an hour away from the city. Umhlanga Rocks is one of the most popular hangouts in Durban and offers an upmarket beach vibe just 20 minutes away. 

Durban is home to many world-renowned surfing champions. The city is also home to a large successful surfboard manufacturer. Just a block away from the beachfront is where many surfboard shapers can be found, and many welcome visitors to watch surfboards being made. 

The official language spoken in Durban is Zulu, English is also commonly spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good English/South African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The city of Durban features a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters. The average summer temperature is around 75 F, winter temperatures average around 63 F. The city of Durban features a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters. The average summer temperature is around 75 F, winter temperatures average around 63 F. The best time to visit is said to be from May to September which are the winter months in Durban. These are the cooler, dryer months in the city with warm days and pleasant temperatures. There are many festivals held this time of year including the International Film Festival in July and the Good Food and Wine Show. The summertime can be extremely hot and the humidity is high. The summer months kick off in December and run through mid-March, the hottest month is February. This time of year is incredibly busy in Durban with summer vacations, school holidays, and the holiday season. It makes things very busy and prices increase. June, July, and August are a good time to visit the seaside city for good swimming and snorkeling opportunities.

The currency of the Durban is the South African Rand (ZAR, or R), although US dollars are not widely accepted. You should either exchange your US dollars for South African Rand and be sure to keep cash on hand when arriving in South Africa. Cash is preferred, there are ATMs found at the airport and locations in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

Durban is home to the largest concentration of Indians outside of India and sometimes resembles a mini Mumbai with its many spice merchants, Indian restaurants, and sari shops. The Indian Quarter is decorated with mosques, Art Decor architecture, and delicious Indian food. Try an Indian curry, found in many different locations like Victoria Market and restaurants such as Vintage Restaurant in the city. Try a curry buffet with a broad range of authentic Indian dishes, spiced sauces, and sides to try.  There are plenty of other options when it comes to dining in the city including South African cuisine, Italian, Portuguese, Asian, and everything in between. And there are many different restaurants to try these cuisines including local authentic restaurants, award-winning dining establishments, sushi joints, Italian restaurants, roadside stalls, and hole-in-the-wall eateries. 

Some famous dishes to try in Durban are bunny chow, a hollowed-out loaf of white bread stuffed with curry stew. There are some great restaurants at the Workshop shopping center serving up some of the best bunny chow in the city. Biltong is South African-style jerky available in a wide range of flavors and textures. Braai is a name for local barbecue serving some of the best grilled meat on the planet. Sosatie are skewers marinated in a curry sauce. Bobtie is Malaysian curry. Waterblommetjie Bredie is mutton stew served with water hyacinth flowers. Samosas are served with minced onion, chili, lamb, fish, potatoes, or vegetables. Mogodu is a dish of tripe with pap a type of corn porridge. Bombay Crush is a milkshake-type drink made with rose syrup, milk, tukmaria (basil) seeds, and vanilla ice cream. Milk pie is a tart made with concentrated milk, vanilla essence, cornflour, and cinnamon. Malva pudding is made with apricot jam, vanilla, corn syrup, and brown sugar. Koeksister is a braided doughnut dipped in cane syrup.

Durban’s Florida Road is a dining hub in the city and a top spot for nightlife. Visitors can stroll along the popular street and find many different eateries to choose from, many stay open late in the evening. Durban is also home to some excellent seafood restaurants being on the oceanfront, there are some great waterfront restaurants with fantastic views. Walk along the busy Esplanade at night and find several enticing restaurants serving up everything from pizza, to sushi. Wilson’s Wharf is a long pier brimming with a host of international restaurants with views of the busy harbor.