FlySafair Johannesburg to Durban
FlySafair has by far the most departures between Johannesburg and Durban, from both OR Tambo and Lanseria. On a one-hour hop, the fare you choose and the transfer at King Shaka matter more than the flight itself.
FlySafair on Johannesburg–Durban at a glance
| Airports | OR Tambo (JNB) or Lanseria (HLA) → King Shaka (DUR) |
|---|---|
| Flights | The most departures of any airline on the route |
| Flight time | About 1 hour non-stop |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737-800 |
| Cabin bag | 7 kg + one small personal item, every fare |
| Checked bag | None on Lite · 20 kg on Standard |
| Online check-in | Opens 24 h, closes 4 h before departure |
Distance about 480 km; flight time about 1 hour (50–60 minutes in the air). Baggage and check-in rules are taken from FlySafair’s own published policy. Schedules change, so confirm times and fare inclusions on the booking page before you pay.
Lite or Standard on a one-hour flight
Lite covers a 7 kg cabin bag (56 × 36 × 23 cm) and a small personal item. Standard adds one 20 kg checked bag and two penalty-free changes. For a weekend at the coast with a soft bag, Lite is hard to beat.
Families heading down for a week usually need the hold. Price Lite plus the bags you need against Standard, and against Lift’s Economy Bag and SAA, which both include 23 kg. On a short route the bag can be a bigger share of the total than on Cape Town flights, so the all-in comparison matters more here.
Lanseria or OR Tambo?
FlySafair flies to Durban from both Johannesburg airports; Lift and SAA fly from OR Tambo only. If you live in the north or west of Johannesburg, Lanseria is usually the shorter, calmer departure. If you live on the East Rand or near the Gautrain line, OR Tambo is the natural choice.
Arriving at King Shaka
King Shaka sits at La Mercy, about 35 km north of Durban CBD — allow 45–60 minutes to the city at peak times. There is no rail link or municipal bus to the airport: your options are a shared shuttle, a metered taxi, e-hailing or a hire car, so arrange it before you board. Umhlanga is much closer than central Durban or the South Coast, so price the transfer to where you are actually staying.
Fly or drive?
The N3 drive is about 6 hours without stops or traffic, which is why fares on this route stay competitive. Flying wins clearly for one or two people on a short trip. For a family of four staying five days or more, run the numbers in our fly vs drive calculator — once you add bags and a hire car at the coast, driving can come out ahead.
Check FlySafair fares from Johannesburg to Durban
Live fares for every airline on the route via Travelstart, so you can compare FlySafair with the alternatives on your date.
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Frequently asked questions
Does FlySafair fly from Lanseria to Durban?
Yes. FlySafair flies to Durban from both OR Tambo and Lanseria. Lift and SAA fly from OR Tambo only.
Does FlySafair include a checked bag to Durban?
Only on the Standard fare (one 20 kg bag). The Lite fare includes a 7 kg cabin bag and a small personal item.
How long is the FlySafair flight from Johannesburg to Durban?
About one hour, typically 50 to 60 minutes in the air.
How far is King Shaka Airport from Durban?
About 35 km north of the CBD at La Mercy. Allow 45 to 60 minutes to the city at peak times.