Durban, South Africa

Getting around Durban

How to travel around Durban — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Last updated 2026-08-09

1. Uber and Bolt

The practical option, and the trip is recorded.

Watch outUnmetered taxis quoting inflated fixed fares from the airport and beachfront.

2. Rented car

The Drakensberg and the north coast need one.

Watch outBreak-ins at coastal viewpoints; leave nothing in the car.

3. People Mover bus

A cheap loop bus along the beachfront and into the centre.

Cost: ZAR 6–20

4. Minibus taxis

How most of the city moves, on shouted routes and hand signals.

5. Beachfront cycling

A dedicated path runs the length of the promenade.

Booking apps in South Africa

Agreeing the fare in an app before you travel removes the argument at the end of the journey, which is where most transport scams happen. Links go to each app's official page — lookalike apps are themselves a scam.

Uber

The most widely used ride-hailing app in South Africa.

Coverage: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria.
Why it helps: Avoids the unmetered taxis quoting inflated fares, and the trip is tracked — which matters given the robbery risk.

Bolt

Competes closely with Uber on price across South African cities.

Coverage: All major cities.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.