Flights to Durban
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal's Indian Ocean port city, is where trips to the province's beaches, the Drakensberg and Big Five reserves such as Hluhluwe-iMfolozi begin. No route from the United Kingdom is non-stop, so our team offers a price comparison of flights to Durban from the UK by connection, baggage rules and fare conditions, for Christmas and New Year, summer holidays or a last-minute trip.
DUR airportDurban, South Africa
One change, two ways to connect
Can You Reach Durban from the UK Without Changing Planes?
No. No airline offers direct flights between Britain and Durban, so flights to Durban from the UK always include a change. Connect abroad on a carrier landing at King Shaka International Airport (DUR), or fly long-haul to Johannesburg or Cape Town and catch a domestic connecting flight.
Connecting outside South Africa
Emirates sells one-change trips via the Gulf from Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Birmingham (BHX), Manchester (MAN), Glasgow (GLA), Newcastle (NCL) and Edinburgh (EDI). Qatar Airways also connects in the Gulf, Turkish Airlines in mainland Europe and Ethiopian Airlines in East Africa; some services call at a second airport, so check stops, UK government advice and travel insurance for the transit country.
Connecting in Johannesburg or Cape Town
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly from Heathrow to O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT). FlySafair, LIFT and CemAir continue to Durban from both, plus Airlink and South African Airways from Johannesburg. You go through immigration and customs at that airport, then drop bags again, so allow generous connection time on one ticket.
Fare timing around Durban's busy seasons
Late December and early January are busy as South African families head for the coast, and the Durban July race meeting at Greyville draws crowds, as do UK school holidays. No month is reliably cheaper, so use fare alerts and flexible departure dates, test a return against two one-ways, and confirm whether baggage is included and the fare refundable.
Getting from La Mercy into Durban
King Shaka sits at La Mercy, approx. 35 km up the coast from Durban city centre, replacing the old Durban International Airport south of town. Umhlanga and Ballito are nearer. With no rail link, choose an airport transfer, shuttle, metered taxi, ride-hailing app or hire car for the N2 to the Golden Mile.
South Africa entry requirements and weather
Holders of a British citizen passport need no visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, with 30 days' validity beyond departure, two blank pages and an online traveller declaration. Arriving from, or after a long transit in, a yellow fever risk country, including parts of East Africa, requires a vaccination certificate. Highs range from approx. 22°C in July to 28°C in February.
Ring 020 7871 4545 for Durban flight deals in economy class, premium economy or business class, connecting abroad or in South Africa.
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Explore the city
Things to do in Durban
Explore Durban’s Golden Mile
Follow Durban’s Golden Mile along its sandy Indian Ocean shoreline, where a broad promenade links lively beaches, cafés and city views.
Discover uShaka Marine World
At Durban’s uShaka Marine World, explore aquarium displays set within a shipwreck theme, with marine life and family experiences beside the beachfront.
Admire Moses Mabhida Stadium
Moses Mabhida Stadium stands out on Durban’s skyline with its sweeping white arch, distinctive roof and striking contemporary sporting architecture.
Browse Victoria Street Market
Browse Victoria Street Market in central Durban for aromatic spices, colourful textiles and handmade goods reflecting the city’s Indian and African influences.
Relax at Durban Botanic Gardens
Durban Botanic Gardens offers shaded pathways, mature palms and remarkable plant collections, providing a peaceful green escape within the busy city.
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Help & support
Frequently asked questions about flights to Durban
What happened to the British Airways Durban route?
British Airways suspended its Heathrow to Durban non-stop flight in 2020, and it has not returned. BA still flies from Heathrow to Johannesburg and Cape Town, where a domestic flight completes the trip to King Shaka; book both sectors on one ticket where possible.
Will my bags go all the way to Durban?
On a through-ticket via the Gulf, bags normally go straight to King Shaka; via Johannesburg or Cape Town, you collect them for customs and drop them again. A self-transfer means a fresh check-in and no protected connection, and domestic airlines may set a smaller cabin baggage allowance.
What is South Africa's online traveller declaration?
It is a customs form that everyone entering or leaving South Africa must complete through the South African Revenue Service (SARS) portal or app, no more than a day before your last flight into the country. Transit passengers who stay airside are exempt.
Can one trip include both Cape Town and Durban?
Yes. A multi-city booking lets you fly from London into Cape Town, take FlySafair, LIFT or CemAir up the coast to Durban, then fly home from King Shaka. Pricing the stopover as one airfare keeps the checked baggage allowance and change and cancellation terms aligned.
How many stops does a Durban trip take outside the main London airports?
One from Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland, and Newcastle upon Tyne, Manchester and Birmingham in England, all with one-stop flights through the Gulf. London City, Luton, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Cardiff in Wales and Belfast in Northern Ireland usually mean two, often via London or, with KLM, mainland Europe.
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Hiba MahmoodUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
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FarheenUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
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I TeladiaUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
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Hiba MahmoodUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
Everything went smoothly, with helpful support and a package tailored to the trip.
FarheenUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
Travel arrangements were described as smooth, well managed and stress free from start to finish.
I TeladiaUnited Kingdom · Trustpilot
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