Durban Public Transport Hours: Metrorail, Buses, Minibus Taxis and Airport

Durban Metrorail: peak and off-peak services

Trains run frequently during rush hour but drop to a skeleton schedule, or stop entirely, in the middle of the day and after 18:00.

Peak service runs 05:00-09:00 and 15:00-18:00 on weekdays. Outside those windows, expect 30-60 minute gaps or no service on some branch lines. Last trains usually leave the terminal stations around 20:00, but confirm the specific line.

Weekends operate on a reduced schedule: typically 07:00-17:00 with fewer trains.

Durban Transport bus services

Durban Transport runs the municipal bus fleet. Buses start around 05:30 and finish by 20:00 on most routes. After 20:00, only a handful of night routes run, and frequency drops sharply.

• First departures from depots: 05:00-05:30
• Last departures from city centre: 19:00-20:00
• Frequency: every 15-30 minutes during the day, every 45-60 minutes after 18:00
• Sunday service runs 07:00-17:00 on most routes

Check the Durban Transport app for real-time tracking on major corridors like the M7 and Umhlanga routes.

Minibus taxis: the informal network

Minibus taxis fill the gaps the formal system leaves. They are not regulated to a timetable, but the market has settled into a reliable rhythm.

Operating hours: roughly 05:00-21:00, seven days a week. The busiest periods are 06:00-08:00 and 16:00-18:00, matching the Metrorail peaks. After 21:00, you will struggle to find one outside major taxi ranks or the beachfront.

They serve every major township and suburb. Ranks exist at the Durban station, Warwick Avenue, and most shopping centres. Flagging one down on a main road is standard practice.

Negotiate the fare before boarding. Short inner-city trips run 15-30 ZAR. Longer journeys to outlying areas cost 40-80 ZAR. No meters.

King Shaka International Airport operating hours

King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is open 24 hours for passengers. The terminal never locks. Most activity happens within a narrower window.

Domestic flights run 06:00-20:00. First departures leave around 06:00. Last arrivals land around 20:00. International flights are limited; check specific airlines. Cargo and charter operations run overnight.

You can enter the terminal at 03:00 for a 06:00 flight. Shops and restaurants inside security open from 05:00-19:00. Outside security, the 24-hour Wimpy and a few kiosks stay open.

Port of Durban: 24-hour operations

The Port of Durban handles cargo around the clock. Container terminals work 24/7. Office hours for shipping agents, customs, and port administration are 08:00-16:30, Monday to Friday.

If you need to clear cargo or visit the port's administrative offices, arrive by 08:00. After 16:30, only security and operational staff remain.

Peak commuting hours in Durban

Knowing when traffic peaks saves time.

Morning peak: 06:00-08:30. The M4, N3, and N2 inbound to the city centre slow to a crawl.

Afternoon peak: 15:00-18:00. Outbound from the city and industrial areas.

Friday is the exception. Traffic peaks earlier, 14:00-15:00, as people leave work early. By 16:00, the worst is often over. Leave before 14:00 on a Friday or wait until after 17:30.

Transport on public holidays and weekends

Public holidays follow Sunday schedules.

• Metrorail: Sunday timetable (reduced or no service on some lines)
• Buses: 07:00-17:00
• Minibus taxis: normal Sunday rhythm (05:00-21:00, but fewer vehicles until 08:00)

Check the South Africa public holidays 2026 page for exact dates.

When do Durban's trains, buses and taxis actually run?