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Durban has a humid subtropical climate with hot, rainy summers and short warm, frost-free winters. The summer months of December to February, when temperatures range from 28 degrees to 35 degrees, are a popular time for people booking flights to Durban so it is harder to find cheap flights to Durban during this time. However, it is easier to find a cheap flight to Durban during the winter when the average temperature is between 20 and 23 degrees. The city is occasionally affected by tropical storms and cyclones from mid-November to late April. However, it is worth visiting Durban during this time, in February, to attend the Prickly Pear Festival which is hosted in Nelson Mandela Bay and is a celebration of traditional South African food and drink, and draws in large crowds annually.
Durban’s subtropical weather makes it a perfect destination all year-round. The mild winters (June to August) mean sea temperatures stay warm and the hot summers will not disappoint sun lovers. If you are a horse racing fan, why not book flights to Durban whilst the South African equivalent of Royal Ascot takes place at Greyville. The Vodacom Durban July is Durban’s most prestigious horse racing event in the horse racing calendar which sees over 50,000 spectators gather to watch first class horse racing, enjoy fine cuisines and admirer national and international fashionistas that are out in full force.
South Africa’s third-largest city, beachside Durban is a lively, year-round holiday destination. While the beach is certainly the focus for most visitors, the city’s shopping malls, bars and restaurants manage to draw travellers inland.
Dubbed the largest ‘Indian city’ outside of India, Durban fuses African and subcontinent cultures to form a unique sensory experience. Colonial and Art Deco buildings also reflect the South Africa’s European influence.
Located on South Africa’s east coast in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, travellers will find even more stunning scenery just beyond Durban’s city limits. To the north is the bustling coastal town of Umhlanga and to the south the Sapphire Coast, an endless sub-tropical paradise.
In the west you’ll find the Valley of 1000 Hills with its nature reserves and cultural villages. A little further a?eld lie Big Five game reserves and the mighty UKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park.
Book a flight to Durban to experience the perfect combination of urban and coastal, providing a holiday with something to surprise everyone. World-famous for stunning beaches like the Umhlanga Rocks, the Golden Mile and the Sapphire Coast, Durban caters for all seaside activities from surfing and kiting through to volleyball and just watching the world go by. If walking on the beach sounds too tame, it is possible to walk across the ocean floor, wearing breathing apparatus. Alternatively, real daredevils might like do a spot of shark diving at uShaka Marine World.
As with any other major international city, travellers should take sensible precautions. For example, keep valuable jewellery, cameras, smart phones and so forth concealed, especially at night. When travelling in vehicles, keep windows closed and doors locked, with valuables out of sight.
Like in most South African cities, the best way to get around is by car. If taking a flight to Durban, be sure to check that you have the latest updated street maps and/or GPS as a number of street names have changed in recent years. There is a commuter train service between Durban and the surrounding area as far as Stanger on the north coast, Kelso on the south coast, and Cato Ridge inland. The local bus service covers most of the beachfront and central residential areas and the larger Aqualine buses run through the outer metropolitan area.
Both metered taxis and minibus taxis can be found in the city. Metered taxis must be called and ordered to a specific location. Minibus taxis (combi taxis) are the main form of transport for those locals who can’t afford private cars. Durban’s iconic Zulu Rickshaw pullers have been around since the early 1900s, but today the remaining rickshaws mostly cater to tourists.
The King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is located around 22 miles (35 km) from Durban. The Airport Shuttle runs regular departures to the beach and major hotels. These are fairly quick and cheap and they don’t need to be booked ahead of time, although they do stop at ten o’clock at night. Check with your accommodation as some will run their own services. Alternatively, for a more luxurious arrival in Durban, it is possible to hire a taxi, a limo, or a rental car direct from the airport.