Complete Guide to Lounges at Durban's King Shaka International Airport (DUR)

King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is the main airport in Durban, South Africa. While it primarily serves domestic passengers within South Africa, the airport also offers international service to destinations such as Dubai, Harare, and Maputo.

The single main terminal building at this airport is split into separate sections for domestic and international flights.

For passengers seeking extra comfort and a meal before departure, 4 lounges are available at King Shaka International Airport. These include pay-per-use options in both the domestic and international departure areas.

This guide covers all your airport lounge options when flying from Durban.

The domestic departures area of King Shaka International Airport is home to 3 lounges:

The Bidvest Premier Lounge is the only lounge in the domestic terminal that offers pay-per-use access.

This modern space offers comfortable seating, meals, drinks, and facilities such as showers and a smoking room.

Airside, after security. Turn right and proceed up the stairs or lift to the 3rd floor.

05:15-20:15 (5:15am-8:15pm) daily

• Buffet with hot and cold food

• Alcoholic, hot, and soft drinks (alcohol available from 10am)

• Showers (subject to availability)

• Restrooms

• Smoking room

• Wi-Fi

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Other Online Advance Purchase Methods:

  • Bidvest Premier Lounge sells corporate passes online for up to 2 hours of access for 300 ZAR (US$19).

  • With Dragonpass Go, you can buy 2 hours of access to this lounge for US$55 (900 ZAR).

  • Lounge Pass offers 2 hours of access for US$20 (327 ZAR). You must pre-book for a specific date and time.

• Airline Status/Class:

  • Airlink domestic business class passengers can access the Bidvest Premier Lounge.

• Memberships & Cardholders:

  • Membership with Dragonpass, DreamFolks, LoungeKey, or Priority Pass will get you access to this lounge.

  • A credit card that gives you access to any of the above programs, including American Express Platinum cards, will also provide access.

  • Some South African premium credit cards grant access, including selected cards from Absa Private Bank, Bidvest Bank, and Nedbank.

  • Complimentary guest entitlements will depend on how you have obtained your membership with any of these programs.

• Walk-Up Access: Walk-up access is available for 334 ZAR (US$21) for up to 2 hours, subject to lounge capacity.

Children under 2 years old can enter for free when accompanied by an adult.

This modern lounge is jointly run by South African Airways and Discovery Bank.

Airside, after security on the 3rd floor, on the right-hand side.

• Monday to Saturday: 04:30-20:00 (4:30am-8pm)

• Sunday: 05:30-20:00 (5:30am-8pm)

• Buffet with hot and cold food

• Alcoholic, hot, and soft drinks, including wine and spirits from a staffed bar (alcohol available from 10am)

• Private work booths

• Smoking room

• Restrooms

• Wi-Fi

• Airline Status/Class:

  • South African Airways business class passengers.

  • Star Alliance Gold, SAA Voyager Silver/Gold/Platinum, and Virgin Australia Velocity Gold/Platinum/Platinum Plus members flying South African Airways.

  • Star Alliance, Voyager, and Velocity Gold members can bring 1 complimentary guest into the lounge with them who is also traveling on South African Airways. Voyager Platinum members get an additional guest allowance.

• Cardholders:

  • Discovery Bank Platinum, Black, and Purple cardholders flying any airline

  • Investec Visa Infinite, Platinum, Business, and Youth cardholders flying with any airline

  • SAA Nedbank Premium credit card holders flying South African Airways

  • Complimentary guest entitlements depend on your card.

Exclusively for eligible customers of certain South African banks, the SLOW Lounge is a very popular choice in Durban's domestic terminal.

Airside, after security on the 3rd floor

• Monday to Thursday 04:30-20:30 (4:30am-8:30pm)

• Friday: 04:30-21:00 (4:30am-9pm)

• Saturday: 04:30-20:30 (4:30am-8:30pm)

• Sunday: 04:30-21:00 (4:30am-9pm)

• Buffet with hot and cold food

• Alcoholic, hot, and soft drinks, including barista coffee (alcohol is not served before 10am)

• Showers (subject to availability)

• Complimentary 15-minute massage (subject to therapist availability)

• Restrooms

• Wi-Fi

• Memberships & Cardholders:

  • This lounge is exclusively for eligible FNB and RMB Private Bank clients, including FNB Premier, FNB Private Client, and FNB Private Wealth cardholders.

  • Access and the number of included visits depend on your card and meeting certain monthly qualifying criteria.

This lounge does not offer pay-per-use access.

Although it's not a lounge, it's worth mentioning Yemaya Spa, which is located in the domestic departure terminal.

This spa participates in Priority Pass and Dragonpass, meaning members of these programs holding a boarding pass for a same-day flight can access selected complimentary spa treatments, including:

• Manicure

• Pedicure

• 30-minute chair massage

• 30-minute Indian head massage

There is currently only 1 lounge in the international departures area of King Shaka International Airport.

Offering excellent runway views, the centerpiece of the stylish Umphafa Lounge — sometimes called "uMp(h)afa Lounge" — is a striking artwork resembling a local ‘Wag ‘n Bietjie’ tree.

Airside, after security and passport control, upstairs on the 3rd floor (accessible by lift).

07:00-21:00 (7am-9pm) daily

LoungeKey and Priority Pass members only get access between 14:00-19:00 (2-7pm) each day.

• Buffet with hot and cold food

• Alcoholic, hot, and soft drinks, including draft beer

• Showers (subject to availability)

• Restrooms

• Wi-Fi

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Other Online Advance Purchase Methods:

  • Dragonpass Go sells 4 hours of access to this lounge for US$55 (900 ZAR).

  • You can buy up to 3 hours of access from Lounge Pass at a price of US$35 (566 ZAR) for adults, or US$19 (308 ZAR) for children aged 2-11. You must pre-book for a specific date and time.

  • Plaza Premium offers 3 hours of access for 621 ZAR (US$39).

• Airline Status/Class:

  • Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines passengers in business/first class or holding eligible status can access this lounge.

• Memberships & Cardholders:

  • A Dragonpass, DreamFolks, LoungeKey, or Priority Pass membership will get you into this lounge. However, LoungeKey and Priority Pass members only get access between 14:00-19:00 (2-7pm) each day.

  • A credit card that gives you access to any of the above programs, including American Express Platinum cards, will also provide access.

  • Complimentary guest entitlements will depend on how you have obtained your membership with any of these programs.

Children under 3 years old can generally enter for free when accompanied by an adult.

Anyone flying from Durban's King Shaka International Airport can make their waiting time more enjoyable by using 1 of the available lounges.

Your options will depend on your airline, cabin class, and any memberships. As a fallback option, anyone can purchase access to the Bidvest Premier Lounge or Umphafa Lounge through LoungePair.