Bus from Cape Town to East London: Tickets & Schedules

Next bus departures

Next departures for Cape Town to East London on November 30
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
BadelaBus
    CAPE TOWN
    56 Moore St, Windmill ParkCheapest
    Jacobs CoachesBus
      Bus Station - Civic Centre
      EAST LONDON - Train Station, East London, Station St, QuigneyFastest
      Intercape BudgetlinerBus
      Bellville - Intercape Office, 8 Mabel Street (turnoff from Durban Road)
      Intercape Office, Moore Street (Windmill Park)No tags
      Jacobs CoachesBus
        Bus Station - Civic Centre
        EAST LONDON - Train Station, East London, Station St, QuigneyNo tags
        GreyhoundBus
        Cape Town, 1 Old Marine Drive
        East London Windmill ParkNo tags

        Last refresh of the prices: Today at 9:24 AM SAST.

        Compare 2 ways to go from Cape Town to East London

        We recommend taking the shuttle

        Among the sustainable travel choices, the shuttle stands out as a good way to reach East London. The journey takes about 15 hours 45 minutes, and with fares starting at just $58, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

        2shuttle per day
        15h 45mAverage Duration
        886 kmDistance
        27kgCO₂ emissions
        Average Price$29 - $172Average Duration16h 10m
        22kg CO₂e
        Shuttle
        Average Price$58 - $58Average Duration15h 45m
        27kg CO₂e

        Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cape Town to East London by bus

        Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

        1. How much is the bus ticket from Cape Town to East London?

          The cheapest bus tickets from Cape Town to East London start from $29. The average price for this route is around $63. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

        2. How long is the bus ride from Cape Town to East London?

          The average bus travel time from Cape Town to East London is 16h 10m, covering a distance of 867 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 12h 20m and is operated by Mini Mobile.

        3. Which bus companies service the Cape Town to East London route?

          Several major bus companies operate on this route with 41 buses available per day, including services from Intercape, Intercity Xpress, Eagle Liner, Greyhound South Africa, APM WC, Flexi City Connect, Jacobs Coaches, Delta Coaches, Wez We Coaches, Big Sky, Badela, Makalala Transport, Chilwans Express, ilulaBus, Mini Mobile, BM Tours.

        4. What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Cape Town to East London?

          The earliest bus departs from Cape Town to East London at 6:00am. And the latest bus departs at 8:45pm.

        5. What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Cape Town to East London?

          A bus trip from Cape Town to East London generates an estimated 22 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

        6. What is the best bus company from Cape Town to East London?

          According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Big Sky, with an average rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars based on 3015 reviews.

        7. Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Cape Town to East London?

          Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Badela has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 2.0.

        8. Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Cape Town to East London?

          According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is Big Sky, with a punctuality rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

        9. Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Cape Town to East London?

          According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Big Sky, with a cleanliness rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.

        Find cheapest prices for buses

        Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

        Best price found
        11-27
        $74
        11-28
        $925,849
        Today
        $67
        11-30
        $69
        12-01
        $53
        12-02
        $52
        12-03
        $52
        12-04
        $52
        busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Cape Town to East London was searched and found on Dec 2, 2025 with a price of $52

        To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Cape Town to East London, as early as possible.

        You can expect to pay from $52 to $925,849 for a bus ticket from Cape Town to East London based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $52 which is on 2025-12-02.

        Usually Intercape, Big Sky will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

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