Arriving on the coast

King Shaka International Airport (airport code DUR) is the gateway to the coast. Opened in 2010 at La Mercy, it sits directly on the Dolphin Coast, between Umhlanga and Ballito — so you can be at your accommodation within 15 to 20 minutes of landing, and in central Durban in about 35.

It is a modern, easy single-terminal airport with all the major car-hire desks, restaurants, shops and ATMs in the arrivals hall.

King Shaka is a busy domestic hub. There are frequent direct flights from Johannesburg (around one hour) and Cape Town (around two hours), plus other South African cities, on the main national airlines.

Direct international and regional routes are more limited; most long-haul travellers connect through Johannesburg (OR Tambo) or Cape Town and hop across on a short domestic leg. Booking the coast leg together with your international ticket usually keeps baggage checked through.

A hire car is the single best way to enjoy the coast. The towns are strung along the shoreline and the best beaches, tidal pools and inland reserves are a short drive apart — public transport between them is limited.

Every major agency — Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Budget, Bidvest, First Car Rental, Tempest and Thrifty — has a desk in the King Shaka arrivals hall, so you can collect on arrival and drop off before you fly out. A few things worth knowing:

• Book ahead in December–January and over Easter, when demand peaks.
• You drive on the LEFT. Most economy cars are manual — request an automatic if you need one and confirm it.
• You'll need a valid licence with a photo and signature in English, or an international driving permit, plus a credit card for the deposit.
• A standard hatchback is fine for the coast and self-drive parks; nothing special is needed unless you head deep into a reserve.

Two roads run the length of the coast, and knowing the difference saves time:

From the airport, the M4 reaches Umdloti and Umhlanga in minutes, while the N2 is the quicker line to Ballito and the towns further north. Heading to a safari, stay on the N2 north and follow signs toward Hluhluwe, Mtubatuba or your reserve.

Within Umhlanga and Ballito, Uber and Bolt both operate reliably and the town centres are walkable. Between the smaller villages — Salt Rock, Shaka's Rock, Sheffield Beach — a car is essential, as ride-hailing thins out and there is little public transport.

If you would rather not drive from the airport, most hotels and guesthouses can arrange a private transfer; book it when you reserve your room.