Umkomaas is served by just one airport, King Shaka Intl. Airport (DUR).

Make your way through the doors of King Shaka Intl. Airport (DUR) and your Umkomaas adventure will have begun! The city’s main airport, it’s located 72 kilometers from the center of town.

There are 8 airlines that fly to Umkomaas from 9 airports around the world.

Safair, CemAir and South African Airways fly the most frequently to Umkomaas. The majority of these flights come from Johannesburg, with Safair offering the most services on this route.

Flying to somewhere new is much easier when there aren’t any stopovers involved. If you’re off to Umkomaas, the good news is that there are around 348 direct flights operating each week.

Travelers frequently set off from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Gqeberha airports when going to Umkomaas.

If you’re flying to Umkomaas from Johannesburg, you’re looking at a flight duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes. Those jetting off from Cape Town can expect to be midair for 2 hours and 3 minutes. From Port Elizabeth it’s around 1 hour and 23 minutes away.

Don’t leave locking in your flight to Umkomaas until the last minute. That’s one trick seasoned jet-setters use to get the best prices. Booking well in advance means more options and cheaper flights. Another good way to grab a bargain is to research all options. If where you’re headed has multiple airports, be sure to research the cost of flying into a less busy terminal. And finally, remember that the early bird catches the worm. Familiarize yourself with airfare costs and have your credit card ready to snap up a ticket as soon as you see an unbeatable bargain. The best deals never last long.

If you’re poorly prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But there’s no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a stress-free start to your vacation in Umkomaas.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a cruisy experience if you bring the right gear. First things first, you’ll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a fresh change of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, find room in your carry-on bag for your phone and charger, any vital medications and maybe a blow-up neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, don’t forget to take your passport, travel docs and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don’t have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) lurking in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive substances, such as bleach and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your prime concern when selecting what to wear during your flight. Consider your footwear carefully too, as swollen feet are a common side effect of flying. Flat shoes which are slightly roomy are always a good idea.
• Most of us have heard about DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. There’s plenty you can do to lessen your risk. Wear a good-quality pair of compression socks or tights, drink lots of water often and get your legs and feet moving. Walk the aisles of the cabin or perform some simple exercises in your seat.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We’ve compiled some useful tips for a stress-free trip through security. Look out Umkomaas, here you come:

• Be sure to have your ID and boarding pass within close reach. They’ll be the first things you’ll be asked for by airport security.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to set off the scanner’s alarm. This includes items like earphones or headphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They’ll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• Your electronic gadgets like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray for inspection. Don’t worry, you’ll be back online soon enough.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you’re less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Boots and heavier-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp items like knives can’t be taken on board. They’ll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.