Healthmart

Gate-side last‑minute meds and snacks at Healthmart

Healthmart sits airside at King Shaka International Airport (DUR), a few minutes’ walk from most domestic gates, and fills the “I forgot that” gap before boarding. Think pharmacy meets travel kiosk: over-the-counter painkillers, cold remedies, plasters, and basic toiletries share shelves with bottled water and grab‑and‑go snacks. Prices run higher than a city chemist, but still under typical duty‑free impulse buys.

The store usually trades from early morning through the evening bank of departures, roughly matching the 06:00–22:00 flight wave at DUR. You’ll see standard South African pharmacy brands on the racks, plus travel‑size toothpaste, deodorant, and hand sanitiser under the 100 ml liquid limit, so you stay within security rules. Card payments are the norm; smaller items often sit under R50, which helps if you’re burning the last of your rand coins.

Healthmart also stocks quick fixes for long‑haul discomfort: neck pillows, basic eye masks, earplugs, and packs of tissues that fit easily into a 7 kg cabin bag. Drinks run from small still water bottles up to 500 ml soft drinks, and you can usually grab a basic cereal bar or packet of nuts to dodge the R40‑plus sugar bombs at other stands. If you need prescription medication, arrive early; it functions more like a travel pharmacy counter than a full suburban dispensary.

Practical tip: swing by Healthmart after security but before you head to your gate area; queues pop up about 45 minutes before big departures when everyone remembers they need painkillers or hand wipes at the same time.