Car Hire in Durban

About Durban

Durban is a city in South Africa. It is located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban or Durbs, a nickname of the city, is the third-largest city in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town. In the past, it was called Port Natal, mainly because of its location and status as the most important port in South Africa.

The city is located on Natal Bay on the Indian Ocean coast and is considered one of the largest and most populous cities on the Indian Ocean coast on the African continent. Together with neighbouring cities, it forms the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. This area is very diverse and multi-ethnic, with many different nationalities living in the city and surrounding areas. The city was also one of the venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Today, the city is very popular among the residents of South Africa and also tourists and travellers from all over the world. There is really a lot to see and do here. Besides the natural, historical, cultural and religious sites you can visit, there are also many activities you can do here thanks to the ocean and the great infrastructure in the city. The weather conditions in Durban are fantastic and when you add this fact to the many fantastic beaches in and around the city, you have the answer as to why this is the most popular destination in South Africa.

In this multi-ethnic city, the locals are very friendly and kind and if you ask for help or directions you will always get an answer. The people of Durban are very laid back and easy going and you can feel that in the atmosphere throughout the city. Durban really has a great spirit and you definitely will not regret visiting this unique city. If you are doing a road trip through South Africa, you should put Durban on the list of cities to stop in and spend a few days in, you will fall in love with this place.

Basic info and car hire in Durban

• Location: KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
• Population: 595,061
• Official language: Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaans. Another official language is English, which is the primary language used in parliamentary and state discourse.
• Currency: South African Rand
• Weather: Bloemfontein experiences a semi-arid climate   
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Durban are in good condition.
• Car hire in Durban:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Durban is at the Durban King Shaka Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Durban!

 Driving in Durban

Durban is the third-largest city in South Africa and accordingly many cars are on the roads of this city and its surroundings. However, renting a car here is the best solution if you want to explore the city and its surroundings properly. Despite the many cars on the streets of Durban, driving here is not very complicated. Traffic jams are mainly during rush hours, otherwise, there are not many traffic jams. The roads are in good condition and signage is frequent and visible, so you just have to make sure to follow all the rules and obey the road signs.

It can sometimes be difficult to find a parking space in the city. Our tip is to always look for an official parking lot and not just park your car anywhere in the city.

The infrastructure is well maintained and the views are breathtaking, so you can expect a great travel experience when driving through Durban. But of course, not all roads are perfect and if you want to explore more rural areas and villages, you should expect that roads are not as well maintained and signage is not as visible and frequent as in larger cities and on main roads.

It is also important to be extra careful when travelling in South Africa as there are often wild animals on the road. In larger cities there are also many pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc., so you should be careful here as well.

• Age limits: The minimum age to rent a car is 18 years old and you need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years. You are required by law to carry your Drivers Licence when driving. It is possible that some suppliers have a policy that anyone under the age of 23 is not eligible for vehicle hire.
• International Driving Permit:  If your driving license is not issued in English, you need to provide an official translation or have an International Driving Permit (IDP). You are required by law to carry your Drivers Licence when driving. An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not clearly identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements.  
• Additional papers:  A credit card in the name of the main driver needs to be presented. A security deposit may be required while renting a car so the credit card must have sufficient funds. You can find details about the security deposit listed while booking the vehicle as well as on your voucher. It is important to have a valid driving license with the name of the main driver as well as additional drivers when it applies.Identification(passport or ID), and valid proof of insurance. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you.  
• Additional requirements:  Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (which are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), and 2 warnings triangles, First aid kit, fire extinguisher.
• Children in the car:  In South Africa, it is illegal to travel in a car with a child under 3 years old not strapped into an approved child safety seat. Children must not sit in the front of a car without a suitable restraint system. Up to three years old they can sit in a rear-facing child seat where the airbag is disabled. Up to twelve years old they must sit in the rear of the car with an appropriate booster seat. Ask when booking for a suitable system to be included when you collect your hire car.
• Driving side of the road: Left-hand
• Lights:  You must turn your lights on any time you can't see at least 1000 feet ahead. Use your low beam headlights whenever it is raining.
• General speed limits: Speeding is taken seriously in South Africa. There are speed cameras in most towns and cities as well as on the outskirts of urban areas. Speed limits in the city are 60 km/h (37 mph), on rural roads 100km/h, and on the highways 120 km/h (74 mph), road signs alert drivers if the limit in a particular area is different from this.

Popular day trips from Durban

Sani Pass & Lesotho, Tala Mini Day Safari, Safari & PheZulu Village, Drakensberg Mountains and Midlands Meander, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project...

What to see in Durban

Durban is an amazing place with so many different things to see and do. It is the most popular summer destination for South Africans and also very popular with tourists and travellers from all over the world. There is something for everyone, you just need to research well and make a good plan before coming here.

There are many fantastic beaches in and around the city and you should definitely take the time to visit some of them. The best beaches in the city are North Beach, Umhlanga Rocks, Umdloti Beach, uShaka Beach, Tiger Rocks Beach... For those who prefer a more active type of holiday, there are also many activities and sports that you can practise on the beach. The most popular sport in Durban is undoubtedly surfing, as there are many great places to surf here and Durban is also a popular destination for surfers from all over the world.

Durban was also one of the venues for the 2010 World Cup and you can visit the city's main stadium, the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Guided tours are also available where you can explore every corner of this magnificent architecture.

Durban has an amazing aquarium. Ushaka Marine World is the most visited and top-rated tourist attraction in the city. You can learn so much about animals and the ocean in this aquarium. It is actually an aquarium and an adventure park. So, after visiting the aquarium, you have a perfect opportunity to spend a day with your family in the adventure park, which is part of Ushaka Marine World.

Other places to visit in Durban are Durban Botanic Garden, Mitchell Park, Jameson Park, Umgeni River Bird Park, Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, Indian Quarter, Florida Road, African Art Center, KwaMuhle Museum, Umhlanga Rocks, Inanda Township, KwaZulu Natal Sharks Board boat tour...

Drive your rental car beyond Durban

South Africa is officially called the Republic of South Africa. This huge country is 23rd on the list of the most populous nations in the world. The interesting thing about South Africa is that it has three capitals. The executive, judicial and legislative branches are based in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town respectively. The largest city in the country is Johannesburg.

If you are planning a road trip through South Africa, you can be sure that a fantastic experience awaits you. There are so many fabulous destinations for a road trip here in this country and there are also some spectacular roads that you will experience while driving through South Africa. The most famous of these is the Garden Route, which stretches between Mossel Bay in the west and Storms River in the east. It is about 200 kilometres long and offers an unforgettable experience with its many rivers, lakes, the sea, mountains, forests and much more.

South Africa is known for the many different things you can see and do here. The country is probably best known for its amazing landscapes, diverse and unique wildlife, vibrant cities and unique culture. But in recent years, South Africa has seen significant growth in many different areas of tourism. For example, there are some world-famous wineries here that are also fantastic tourist attractions.

When in Southern Africa, be sure to visit one of the many safari parks that exist throughout the country. You can learn a lot when visiting these parks, especially about wildlife conservation, which is also very important. There are hundreds of national parks in South Africa and you should definitely visit at least one of them. A stay here in the midst of wild animals is a very special experience. The nights in these parks are especially entertaining and unique. This is an experience you will never forget in your life. The most famous safari park in the country is Kruger National Park, which is home to incredible diversity and tons of amazing wildlife, including the "Big Five" (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalo). But of course, there are many more parks in the country, here are some of them: Hluhluwe and iMfolozi National Park - It is located in the east of the country and is known for its rhino populations. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - It is located on the border with Botswana in the north and is known for its black-maned lions. Addo Elephant National Park - Located near Port Elizabeth on the south coast, this is a good choice for safaris on your own. Pilanesburg National Park & Game Reserve - Home to the Big 5, the park can be visited on a day trip from Johannesburg if you are short on time.

But there is another fantastic option for wildlife lovers. You can go whale watching, as South Africa is considered one of the best places for this kind of activity. The best time for whale watching is from June to November. There are several companies that offer and organize whale watching tours. The best and most reliable ones are Southern Right Charters, Hermanus Whale Cruises and Xplora Tours. Another nice activity you can do here is, of course, scuba diving. There are several centres for this sport spread all over South Africa. It is a great place both for beginners, who can take various courses here and for the more experienced divers, who will find some fantastic dive sites here.

For those who prefer a more active vacation, there are plenty of options here in South Africa. One of the most popular options is undoubtedly surfing. There are many fantastic beaches for surfing in both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, providing endless opportunities for surfers from all over the world. The most popular destination for surfers is Jeffrey's Bay, located on the south coast near Port Elizabeth. Other famous places for surfing are Dungeons, Long Beach, Durban...

If you are not interested in surfing, then you should look for an activity in the Drakensberg region. The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in South Africa and there are numerous opportunities for hiking, climbing, mountain biking, trekking, etc. Some of the best places in the Drakensberg are Rainbow Gorge: An easy and beautiful two-hour hiking trail in the Cathedral Peak area. Plowman's Kop: A half-day hike with a steep climb. Chain Ladders Hike: A challenging one-day hike with ladders attached to the rock wall. Cathedral Peak: This hike is best climbed with a guide. Giant's Cup Trail: Usually a five-day hike.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Durban

Durban is a fantastic gastronomic destination. The cuisine here is really something special. It is a mixture of different styles from different parts of the world. Probably the strongest influence on Durban's cuisine has been India because there are many people from India living here in Durban who have influenced the cuisine here in the past.

Here are some of the best culinary experiences in Durban: Bunny Chow, Fresh Sardines on Toast, Bombay Crush, Food With a View, Local Brews, Tastes of India, Zulu Cuisine, Afternoon Tea.

Best restaurant in Durban

Hollywoodbets Springfield Park and Bunny Bar

The Little India Restaurant

Cafe 1999

Mali's Indian Restaurant

The Grill Jichana Durban

9th Avenue Bistro