Sleeping in Airports

Durban King Shaka Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Durban King Shaka Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

This airport does not have seating for its passengers. I am disabled and had to resort to sitting on the floor along with my fellow passengers to wait for my flight. – a traveller

DUR Airport Overview

durban king shaka airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Durban King Shaka International Airport.

What to Expect

Durban Airport (code: DUR) consists of a modern, two-level terminal that handles arrivals on the lower level and departures on the upper level. The terminal includes a reasonable number of eateries and shops, though all close at 11:00PM, so plan accordingly if you are staying in the airport later than that. WiFi is available, and additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first class lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.

Sleeping in Durban Airport

We do not yet have any sleep-related airport reviews.  Have a backup plan if you’re planning to spend the night.  For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Durban Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Bidvest Premier Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside, 3rd Floor. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • Umphafa Lounge – Location: International Terminal 1, Airside, 3rd Floor. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.

Airline Lounges

If you are a First or Business Class traveller you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.

  • SAA Baobab Premium Class Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside.

Related Pages: King Shaka Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

There are no hotels at King Shaka Airport, but there are a number of nearby hotels along the route to Durban.  Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near King Shaka Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

wifiAirport WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at King Shaka Airport for up to 4 hours or 1GB, whichever comes first. Connect to the “Airports Free” network. Registration requires an email address and contact number. Once you have reached the maximum (hours or data) you may purchase additional service.

The Tourist Information desk also offers internet services.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Location: in the public area concourse.

Baby Care Facilities – Changing tables are located inside the ladies washrooms throughout the airport.

Chapel / Prayer Room – A prayer room is available for Muslim travellers. Ask a staff member for directions.

Currency Exchange – A bureau de change is located in the International Arrivals & Departures Terminal. Hours: when international flights arrive and depart. There is also an ABSA Bank which could be of assistance. Location: in the public concourse. Hours: 30 minutes before the first flight and 30 minutes after the last flight.

Duty Free & Shopping – The airport offers a variety of shops selling items including books, cellular services, clothing and souvenirs. Duty Free is available at The Big Five Duty Free store.

Food & Drinks – Food options are available both Landside and Airside. There is also a Woolworths Department Store which may have food and drinks available. At the time of this update it was not known if there are any 24 hour food or beverage concessions.

Information Desk – A tourism information kiosk is located in the arrivals area. In addition to providing local area information they also offer internet and fax services. Hours: Monday – Saturday 8:00AM – 9:00PM and Sundays 9:00AM – 9:00PM.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Mobile Charging – At the time of this update, we did not have any information about mobile charging availability. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Observation Deck – Relax and watch planes taking off and landing from the vantage point of the airport’s observation deck. Location: Domestic Terminal, first floor

Pharmacy – Link Pharmacy is located at the airport. Location: Landside, Arrivals. Hours: 5:00AM – 10:00PM.

Post Office – Location: Public Concourse. Hours: opens 30 minutes before the first flight and 30 minutes after the last flight.

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Showers – Available in the Bidvest Lounge and the Umphafa Lounge. [ see Airport Lounges above ]

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Smoking – There is a smoking lounge available inside the Bidvest Lounge. [ see Airport Lounges above ]

Spa Services – If you have time for a manicure head to Yemaya Nail Express.

airport hoursAirport Hours

While it appears that this airport closes at night, as of this update, we were unable to confirm airport hours of operation. We recommend that you read a few reviews before deciding to sleep in the airport overnight. If you know the airport hours, click here to update this airport guide and we will update this airport guide.

airlinesAirlines

Durban King Shaka airport is served by the following airlines: Air Mauritius • British Airways • Emirates • ​​FlySafair • Kululu • Mango Airlines • SA Airlink/Express • Qatar Airways • Turkish Airlines.

transportationTransportation

Airport Bus

Designated “airport buses” offer hourly service between King Shaka airport and city center at an affordable price. Airport Bus Shuttle Service and Margate Mini Coach also provide service at the airport. The airport bus stop is just past the taxi rank.

Car Rental

The following car rental companies offer services at the airport: Avis, Bidvest, Capital, Dollar/Thrifty, Europcar, 1st Car Rental, Hertz, Select, Tempest and Woodford.

Hotel Shuttles

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Metered taxis are readily available for hire at the taxi rank in the ground transportation area.

Last updated: 2024-01-31

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.