Durban

Durban is a port city on South Africa's Indian Ocean coast, known for its beaches, Indian-influenced cooking and a mix of Zulu and Indian communities.

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Durban is a port city on South Africa's east coast, on the Indian Ocean. It is the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal province and the third-largest in South Africa. The Zulu name is eThekwini, meaning bay or lagoon, and the city was formerly called Port Natal. The Golden Mile beachfront runs about six kilometers, from the uMgeni River mouth in the north to Durban Point and South Beach in the south.

Durban is known for Indian-influenced cooking mixed with traditional Zulu food, and bunny chow, a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with curry, is a local takeaway. The city has a large Indian South African community, with mosques, Hindu temples and churches. The Botanic Gardens, founded in 1849, are the largest botanical garden in Africa and hold plants collected from around the world. Winters from June to August are mild and dry, while summers are hot and humid, with sunshine recorded for at least 320 days a year.

Durban in five

Book taxis and ride-hail, not street cabsMetered taxis in Durban cannot cruise the streets for passengers, so they must be booked to a specific location. Uber and Taxify also operate in the city.Getting around
Pre-book the transfer from King Shaka airportKing Shaka International Airport is at La Mercy, about 35 km north of the city centre. Metered taxis must be booked to a set place, so arrange the ride in advance.
Stay alert in the central business districtForeign nationals have been targeted in xenophobic attacks, particularly in the central business district. Theft and home break-ins are also common in the city.
Check the sea before you swimConditions near the port entrance can turn extremely violent because of a weather phenomenon there. Take local warnings seriously before you go into the water.
Check the Durban July date before you flyThe Durban July is a major horse race at Greyville Racecourse, held on the first Saturday of July each year. Set your dates around it.Sport

Things to do in Durban

See all attractions in Durban

Museum · DurbanCampbell Collections

Museum · DurbanMahatma Gandhi Memorial

Museum · DurbanKwa Muhle Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to DurbanPut the places you like in Durban on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Rand (ZAR)
Entry: Entry rules vary by passport; check Home Affairs before you fly Read more
Emergency: 10111 police, 10177 ambulance, 112 from a mobile
Tipping: 10 to 15% in restaurants if service is not included
Time: UTC+2, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Hot, humid
FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Hot, rainy
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Humid, rain
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Rain, flood risk
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Mild, drier
JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Mild, dry
JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Durban July
AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Mild, dry
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Warm, drying
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Warm, humid
NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Hot, humid
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Hot, holiday busy

Average daily high and low in Durban, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Durban

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 23°
Humidity: 94%
Wind: 12 km/h
Chance of rain: 94%

KwaZulu-Natal

10:38 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today24°21°94%Monday: Rain. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 94%.
Tue24°21°88%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 88%.
Wed26°21°49%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 49%.
Thu31°21°33%Thursday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 33%.
Fri28°22°29%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 29%.
Sat25°20°80%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 80%.
Sun21°17°81%Sunday: Rain. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 81%.

Updated 08:08 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 16.69 ZAR

Amount

Converted to

ZAR · South African Rand

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Durban

eSIM for DurbanData for maps and ride-hail appsRead the guide

Insurance for DurbanCover for theft and cancelled flightsRead the guide

Stays in DurbanBeachfront, Umhlanga or Durban NorthRead the guide

Day trips from DurbanBallito, KwaDukuza and ScottburghRead the guide

Rules for Durban, checked

Check entry rules on the Department of Home Affairs site before you fly, since requirements can change.Source
Follow local warnings about the sea at the port entrance, where conditions can turn extremely dangerous.
Metered taxis must be booked to a specific location. Uber and Taxify also operate in the city.

Plan around Durban

Getting around Durban

Metrorail, taxis, ride-hail and the airport link explained

Read the guide Visas and entry rules

Entry requirements and where to check them before you fly

Read the guide Money and costs

Rand prices for beds, food, transport and sights

Read the guide Where to stay in Durban

Beachfront, Umhlanga and Durban North compared

Read the guide Sport and the Durban July

The July race and the city's endurance events

Read the guide KwaZulu-Natal

The province around Durban, from the coast to the interior

Read the guide

Durban FAQ

Is Durban safe for tourists?

Crime varies widely across the city. Durban North, Mayville and Westville have low murder rates, while KwaMashu and Umlazi have much higher rates. Stay alert in the central business district, where foreign nationals have been targeted.

Is Durban worth visiting?

Yes, for beaches, Indian-influenced food and a few museums and historic sites. It suits a warm beach stay, and winter is the most comfortable season. It is a weaker choice if you want a quiet resort town.

What is the best time to visit Durban?

June to August, when winters are mild and dry. Sunshine is recorded for at least 320 days a year. Summers are hot and humid, with heavy rain and flood risk during the wet season.

How do I get from the airport to Durban?

King Shaka International Airport is at La Mercy, about 35 km north of the city centre. Pre-book a taxi or ride-hail, because metered taxis must be booked to a set place.

Can you visit Durban as a day trip from another city?

Durban works best as a base. Ballito, KwaDukuza and Scottburgh make day trips from it, and Pietermaritzburg is about 80 km north-west of Durban.

Is bunny chow worth trying in Durban?

Yes. It is a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with curry, sold as a local takeaway and tied to the city's Indian-influenced cooking.