Popular Airport | Alejandro Velasco Astete Intl. Airport |
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Popular Airlines | |
Approximate Flight Duration | 13 hour |
Approximate Travel Distance | 10476 Km |
Taking a taxi in the morning or evening outside of rush hours is probably the most reliable method of transport to the airport in densely populated Durban. It’s also possible to reach the airport with rented cars or shuttle company buses.
You can reach the airport by taxi from the city centre in around 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic conditions. It might be a good idea to speak with the taxi driver beforehand and let them know your time of departure to not have any bad surprises for your journey.
The shuttle buses that leave for the airport depart from Durban Station in the city centre, depart once every day at 8:00, 11:00, and 16:00 and reach the airport in around half an hour.
The traffic flows on the left side in Durban, so if you come from a country where you drive on the right it might be a better idea to hire a car with a driver rather than getting behind the steering wheel yourself. If you come from country where cars drive on the left side, you might be more at home with this option.
There is only one terminal in King Shaka Airport where there is an ABSA bank, which opens half an hour before the first flight and closes half an hour after the last flight. In addition, you can find financial services from the ATMs of First National Bank, Nedbank, and Standard Bank. There is a prayer room for Muslims, and a post office that offers services depending on the first and last flights of the day. There are baby and childcare rooms that mothers can use.
In addition to these services, the airport has many lounges. The most exclusive ones are the South African Airways Business Class Lounge, found near the entrance of the terminal, and BIDVest Premier Lounge. In these lounges you can order some food and rest on comfortable seating areas to read books or newspapers.
Airport restaurants include; Cape Town Fish Market, Cosmic Candy, Big Five Duty Free, Fego Coffee Shop, Kauai, KFC, Milky Lane, Mugg&Bean, Panarottis, Rhapsody’s, Spur, Steers, Sweet Treat, The Airport Cellar, and Wimpy. There is also a Yemaya Nail Express, Woolworts, Vodashop, Tie Stop, The Urban Retreat, The Scoin Shop, NWJ Fine Jewellery, Sneakers, Sunglass Hunt, Nike, MTN, Moda Luggage&Leather, Khasav, Jeep, EM Native, and Electro Electronics for your shopping needs.
The city center is located Velasco only 3 kilometers to the west of Astete Airport. The transportation needs of the passengers at the airport are met with taxi, rental cars and minibuses.
The Llama taxi company is the only company at Velasco Astete Airport with the permission to carry passengers, and has a fixed transportation fare. Apart from this company, the local taxis that are waiting outside the airport can take you to the city center at more reasonable prices. Airport authorities recommend using vehicles under their control at the taxi stands, to avoid problems with local taxis.
It is not possible to find public transport within the airport. To get to the public transport you need to walk about 5 minutes to Pecsa Station opposite the airport. You must remember to exchange money from the exchange bureaus located at the airport because you need to pay for the shuttle minibuses with the Peru currency Nuevo Sol.
The Hertz car rental company works 24 hours a day for passengers who want to rent private cars at the airport. You can rent your car on a weekly or daily basis and deliver it either in the city center or at the airport.