Passengers have shared positive experiences with comfortable buses, professional drivers, and good customer care. Many appreciated the reclining seats and timely stops for refreshments. However, several reviews mentioned issues such as non-functional toilets during long journeys and delays due to bus maintenance problems like faulty air-conditioning or charging points not working properly.
Intercape Mainliner Cape Town Pietermaritzburg recent customer reviews
The 1st bus broke down in Worcester, we waited+-5 hours for a replacement bus. The 2nd bus had a breakdown at Montrose, setting us back even further. Upon arrival at Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu Natal, I discovered that my luggage was manhandled, resulting in my bag having been broken. (This is assumed happened at Worcester) When luggage was moved over.Some of my clothing were missing.
2 out of 5 stars
Faghmiedah S.
I enjoyed the comfort of transport and the driving what I did not really enjoyed is the fact that the bus was an hour later with no updates regards the matter
2 out of 5 stars
Bongani M.
This was first longest trip in a bus . Drivers were professional and patient . Intercape bus was in a good working condition.
I nearly died of cold though , if they keep the warmer on at all times since it's winter
Based on 3305 reviews, the company was rated 3.5 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the staff but often complained with the WiFi. Big Sky ticket prices on this trip start at $81
Big Sky Cape Town Pietermaritzburg recent customer reviews
The bus was comfortable. The drivers were nice and kind. There is only one thing I didn’t like. We left CT on time and when we got to Queens Town the drivers were told to wait for a bus that’s coming from JHB because there’s people that need to connect. Indeed we waited for over an hour and the people did not arrive because they were a NO SHOW. That delayed our trip. I arrived in PMB at 20:00 instead of 17:30.
4 out of 5 stars
Bukeka N.
Late drop off .the bus delayed and late starting point
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg by bus
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg?
The cheapest bus tickets from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg start from $80. The average price for this route is around $86. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg?
The average bus travel time from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg is 22h 45m, covering a distance of 1209 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 22h and is operated by Intercape.
Which bus companies service the Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 7 buses available per day, including services from Intercape, Big Sky.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg?
The earliest bus departs from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg at 7:30am. And the latest bus departs at 7:15pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg?
A bus trip from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg generates an estimated 30 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Intercape, with an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars based on 44695 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg?
Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Big Sky has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 1.5.
Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg?
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.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg?
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
01-01
$51
01-02
$63
Today
$71
01-04
$71
01-05
$62
01-06
$62
01-07
$65
01-08
$64
The cheapest trip from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg was searched and found on Jan 1, 2026 with a price of $51
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 Pietermaritzburg, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $51 to $113 for a bus ticket from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $62 which is on 2026-01-05.
Usually Intercape 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.
The cheapest trip from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg was searched and found on Jan 1, 2026 with a price of $51
