Africa > South Africa > Durban (DUR)
The Car or no Car advice for Durban can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Durban ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Durban ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Durban?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Durban without a car 🚶♂️🚌
Durban’s beachfront is the easiest area to enjoy without driving. The Golden Mile is flat, walkable, and well served by hotels, cafés, and attractions. Cycling is popular here too, and bike hire is widely available along the promenade 🚴♀️.
Public transport, however, is limited for visitors. There is no metro or suburban rail system suitable for tourism, and buses are fragmented and slow. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber work well and are widely used, especially for short trips between the beachfront, uShaka Marine World, and central Durban.
For travellers staying close to the coast and planning a relaxed beach-focused stay, taxis and walking can be enough.
When a rental car becomes useful 🚗
Durban is a gateway city, and this is where a rental car starts to shine. The city sprawls north and south along the coast, and many of the best beaches, restaurants, and resorts sit well outside the centre. Umhlanga, Ballito, and the Dolphin Coast are all far easier to reach by car.
Inland, a car gives access to the Valley of a Thousand Hills, rural Zulu villages, and scenic viewpoints. Longer road trips are also a major draw. The Drakensberg Mountains, with hiking, wildlife, and dramatic scenery, lie a few hours inland. Meanwhile, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and St Lucia are classic self-drive destinations to the north 🏞️.
Durban’s airport offers a wide choice of rental cars, and prices are generally good by international standards.
Driving conditions and considerations ⚠️
Roads around Durban are generally good, especially on major routes. However, traffic can be heavy at peak times, and visitors should avoid driving late at night in unfamiliar areas.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Durban? ❓
For a short beachfront stay, you can manage without one. However, to explore coastal suburbs, countryside, and iconic KwaZulu-Natal landscapes, renting a car offers flexibility, comfort, and far greater reach 🌍🚙.