Compare Car Rental Durban

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Finding a rental car in Durban is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of suppliers across South Africa with no booking fees. Pick up at King Shaka International Airport (DUR), Durban city center or Umhlanga and set off for the North Coast, Drakensberg or Hluhluwe-iMfolozi on your own schedule. Filter deals by vehicle type, see fuel policy and included kilometers upfront and compare airport vs city center rates to suit your trip.

Durban Airport

Location	Pros	Cons
King Shaka International Airport (KSIA/DUR)	Immediate car access on arrival All major rental agencies on-site Hours match flight schedules	Higher airport surcharges 35km (22 miles) from city center Peak-time queues
Durban City Center	Potentially lower rates Convenient if staying in the city center Easily accessible from city center hotels	Limited operating hours Driving in city traffic right away Fewer vehicle options
Umhlanga Area	Upscale business district Convenient for north coast stays Less congested than city center	Fewer rental agencies You still need transport from the airport

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Durban?

On average, car rentals in Durban cost around ZAR 983 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from ZAR 230 per day.

Low-cost rental tips

Compare pickup spots: Prices at Durban City Centre or Umhlanga can be lower than King Shaka Airport. If you’re staying in town first, a city pickup can trim airport surcharges. Note airport is busiest around 12–1 pm and on Tuesdays, while Wednesdays are quietest.
Be flexible with dates: In Durban, Wednesday pickups often price better, and August usually has the lowest rates. For December and Easter, book 3–6 months ahead. Outside peak times, watch prices for drops before locking in.
Pick the smallest car that fits: Compacts are usually the cheapest and work fine for city and coast drives. Only size up if you need space or higher clearance for rural routes like the Drakensberg.
Compare all suppliers, including locals: Check the full cost, not just the headline rate. Look for differences in fuel policy, after-hours fees, and any admin on tolls. Picking up and returning during branch hours often saves extra fees.
Mind one-way costs: If driving Durban to Johannesburg, compare one-way fees across companies and dates. Sometimes the direction or season makes them reasonable. If plans are flexible, a round-trip to Durban can be cheaper.

Parking and Driving

Car Space Options:

Area	Space Type	Cost	Tips
Durban Beachfront	Street spaces/Supervised lots	Paid spaces; car guard tip customary	Car guards in high-visibility vests Beachfront gets very busy on weekends
City Center	Metered street spaces/Parking garages	Paid spaces	Limited street spaces Workshop Shopping Center offers validated spaces
Umhlanga	Shopping center spaces/Street	Malls usually validate spaces; paid street spaces	Gateway Mall has extensive secure spaces Beach spaces fill early on weekends
Florida Road	Street spaces	Street spaces and car guards; tip customary	Popular restaurant area Car guards manage informal system

Local Driving Rules:

Drive on the left-hand side of the road
Speed limits: 120km/h (75 mph) on highways, 100km/h (62 mph) on rural roads, 60km/h (37 mph) in urban areas
Seatbelts mandatory for all passengers
No mobile phone use while driving without hands-free kit
Traffic police frequent major routes during peak hours

Toll Roads:

N3 to Johannesburg has multiple toll plazas
Most rental cars come equipped for electronic payment
Charges plus admin fee will be billed to your credit card
Alternative routes available but significantly longer

Why rent a car in Durban

Rent a car to drive to:

Drakensberg – N3, trailheads
iSimangaliso Wetland Park/St. Lucia – N2, Mtubatuba, R618
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve – N2, park gates
Wild Coast – N2, Mthatha
North Coast beaches – Umhlanga, Ballito
South Coast beaches – Scottburgh

Local Rental Locations

Driving Distances from Durban

FAQs

Do I need to rent a 4x4 to explore KwaZulu-Natal? You don't need one for most popular spots. You can get to major attractions and game reserves in a standard car, but we recommend an SUV with higher clearance for country areas and the Drakensberg region.

How far is King Shaka International Airport from Durban city center? It's about 35km (22 miles) north of central Durban. The drive usually takes 30-40 minutes, depending on the traffic.

Are there any driving restrictions in game reserves? Yes, you need to stay on the marked roads, obey the speed limits (usually 40km/h / 25 mph), stay in your vehicle except in special areas and respect gate opening and closing times.

What's the best route from Durban to Johannesburg? The N3 highway is your most direct route (570km / 353 miles). It's a toll road and has good services, but fog can be a problem at Van Reenen's Pass. You should allow 6-7 hours for the drive, including stops.

How reliable is GPS navigation around Durban? Your GPS will work very well in and around Durban and on the main roads. When you travel to remote country areas or some game reserves, we suggest you have offline maps or a paper map just in case.

Is driving at night recommended in KwaZulu-Natal? We don't usually recommend driving at night. If you have to, stick to major highways like the N2 and N3. You should avoid country roads after dark because of livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and poor lighting.

Can I drive to Mozambique or Lesotho with my rental car? Yes, but you must get permission from your rental company first, which will cost extra. The company will give you a border letter. You might also need to buy extra insurance at the border.

How frequent are gas stations in rural KwaZulu-Natal? You'll find plenty of gas stations in the major towns, but in country areas they can be more than 100km (62 miles) apart. We recommend you keep your tank at least half full when exploring these remote regions.