Travel information
Visa Requirements
Please be aware of the following important information regarding travel to South Africa
- Every person entering South Africa should be in possession of a valid passport. Passports should have longer than 6 months before their expiry date and at least one blank page in that passport.
- There are numerous countries that do not need a visa to travel to South Africa if they are visiting for less than 90 days for tourist or business purposes and some that do not need a visa if they are visiting for less than 30 days for tourist or business purposes. Please click here for a list of countries exempt from needing a visa for travel to South Africa.
- Click here to find out how to apply for a South African visa, should you need one.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CHECK VISA REQUIREMENTS WITH YOUR TRAVEL AGENT AND SOUTH AFRICAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION WITHIN YOUR COUNTRY BEFORE YOU TRAVEL. VISAS ARE NOT ISSUED AT SOUTH AFRICAN PORTS OF ENTRY.
Please note that there are very strict border controls for children under the age of 18 years entering or exiting the country. All children need to have a valid passport and a copy of their full (unabridged) birth certificate. Click here to find out more about these requirements.
Yellow Fever Certificate
You will only need a Yellow fever certificate to enter South Africa if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America. Please check with your travel agent and/or local Travel Clinic before you travel.
Hotels
Please click here for online booking of hotel accommodation and/or airport transfers.
Tourism
Click here for more information on tourist attractions in and around Durban as well as some that are a few hours drive away.
Access by air and getting into the city
King Shaka International airport is located 35 km north of Durban. Taxis and rental cars are available from the airport and travel time to the city is approximately 22 minutes.
Many international airlines fly directly to South Africa and are most likely to land at O.R.Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. It is a 55 minute flight from Johannesburg to Durban.
These International Airlines fly directly to Durban with stopovers in selected cities
- Emirates Airlines
- Qatar Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
Domestic airlines
If you are keen to tour within South Africa, there are numerous flights every day from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport to both Johannesburg and Cape Town as well as to most other major cities in the country. Reasonably priced flights can be booked with the following domestic airlines:
South African Airways
Kulula
Mango
FlySafair
Car hire & Parking
It is possible to hire a car from numerous car rental companies situated at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. You will need to arrange for secure parking for the car with your hotel.
The King Shaka International Airport website provides information on various car hire options. In South Africa cars are driven on the left side of the road.
For locals using a car to travel to the conference, free parking is normally available along Marine Parade. Cars are watched over by local car guards.
South Africa Currency
Rand (ZAR)
Most major currencies enjoy a very favourable exchange rate against the South African Rand (ZAR).
Approximate Exchange rates
1 American dollar = 13,50 ZAR
1 Euro = 15 ZAR
1 British Pound = 17 ZAR
Temperature/Weather
Durban has a sub-tropical climate and enjoys warm weather for most of the year. There is very little likelihood of rain at the time of the conference.
Average Durban temperatures in autumn/fall (March, April, May): 20° – 25° C (68° – 77° F)
Time zone in the whole country
GMT +2
Telephone prefix
South Africa 27
Durban 031
Electric Current
220/230 volts AC 50 HZ
Plugs
Most plugs are 15 amp 3-prong or 5 amp 2-prong, with round pins.
