Johannesburg to Durban by train
Durban lies 501 km (311 mi) south-east of Johannesburg, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
By rail the journey is about 7 h 12 min at the speeds typical of South Africa rail, over roughly 611 km (380 mi) of track; the operator’s timetable is the number that counts.
| Johannesburg | Durban | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | South Africa | South Africa |
| Population | 9.4 million | 3.3 million |
| Elevation | 1,767 m (5,797 ft) | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) | UTC+2 (Africa/Johannesburg) |
| Stations on record | Johannesburg Park Station, Westgate | none listed |
| Postal codes | 2000–2198 | 3611–4362 |
Where to book trains from Johannesburg to Durban
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Staying in Durban
Our booking partner lists 1,285+ places to stay in Durban (statistics below are from the first 1,000). Of the 667 with a star rating, the largest group is 4-star (404), and 18 are five-star. Across 563 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.2 out of 10. Guests have left 320,890 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Durban
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Durban from Johannesburg?
501 km (311 mi) in a straight line, south-east of Johannesburg; by road roughly 611 km (380 mi).
How long does it take to get from Johannesburg to Durban by train?
About 7 h 12 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Johannesburg and Durban?
No, both are on Africa/Johannesburg at the moment.
Where can I stay in Durban?
Our booking partner lists 1,285+ places to stay in Durban, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.