Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our East London King King Phalo 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.
ELS Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at East London King Phalo Airport.
What to Expect
East London Airport (code: ELS), also known as King Phalo Airport, has a small terminal that serves a few domestic routes. Facilities include a few eateries and shops, though none are open 24 hours. Free WiFi is available to help pass the time. For added comfort, economy class passengers can pay to enter one of the two airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.
Sleeping in East London Airport
We do not yet have any sleep-related airport reviews. or uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info 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 East London 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 Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by 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 Domestic Lounge – Location: Domestic Departures Terminal, Airside, Ground Level, at the end of the corridor. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Airlines Lounge
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 web site.
- South African Airlines Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal.
Related Pages: East London Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
There are no hotels at the airport. Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in East London, search deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at East London Airport for up to 4 hours or 500MB, 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.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? There are 3 ATMs in the Departures area near central screening and they are run by Ned Bank, FNB and Standard. 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.
Baby Care Facilities – Baby changing facilities are available in the ladies restrooms in the Departures terminal.
Disabled Services – Lifts and ramps available. Services are available for passengers needing boarding/disembarking assistance, but should be organized in advance with your airline.
Duty Free & Shopping – There is no duty free, but you will find a new small stores: Cosmic Candy (confectionery shop) • Sunkissed (Modern Traditional clothes and art store) • Uyolo Designs (beads and traditional wear).
Food & Drink – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Food options include:
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- First Floor: Mugg and Bean • Fish Aways • Spitfire.
- Departure Hall: Mugg & Bean Grab and Go
Information Desk – Located in the arrivals terminal. Hours: 6:30AM – 8:30PM (Mon), 5:30AM – 8:30PM (Tues – Fri), 7:30AM – 6:00PM (Sat) and 8:00AM – 8:30PM (Sun).
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Medical Services – Basic First-Aid services are available at the airport.
Mobile Charging – Charge your mobile devices at charging stations located in the departure hall.
Observation Deck – Relax and watch planes taking off and landing from the vantage point of the airport’s observation deck. Location: unknown.
Prayer Rooms – Not available.
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 – Not available.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 6:30AM – 6:30PM (Mon – Fri) • 7:00AM – 6:00PM (Sat) • 7:00AM – 6:30PM (Sun).
Airlines
East London airport is served by the following airlines: Airlink • Flysafair • Kulula • South African Airways • South African Express.
Transportation
Car Rentals
Car rentals are available in the main terminal building. The following companies are represented: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Europcar • Dollar • Hertz • National • Thrifty/Dollar.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Public Transportation
Shuttle: Two shuttles depart from in front of the arrivals hall. They can be booked in advance by phone. See the East London Airport website for contact information.
Taxis
Taxis are available.
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.