Bus from East London to Cape Town: Tickets & Schedules

Next bus departures

Next departures for East London to Cape Town on December 1
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Flexi City ConnectBus
East London (Station) - 20 Station St, East London Cbd, East London, 5200
Bus Station - Old Marine DriveCheapest
Intercape MainlinerBus
Intercape Office, Moore Street (Windmill Park)
Bellville - Intercape Office, 8 Mabel Street (turnoff from Durban Road)Fastest
Big SkyBus
    Intercape Office, Moore Street (Windmill Park)
    Bellville - Intercape Office, 8 Mabel Street (turnoff from Durban Road)No tags
    Intercape MainlinerBus
    Intercape Office, Moore Street (Windmill Park)
    Bellville - Intercape Office, 8 Mabel Street (turnoff from Durban Road)No tags
    Jacobs CoachesBus
      EAST LONDON - Train Station, East London, Station St, Quigney
      Bus Station - Civic CentreNo tags

      Last refresh of the prices: Today at 3:39 PM SAST.

      Compare 2 ways to go from East London to Cape Town

      We recommend taking the bus

      Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach Cape Town. The journey takes about 16 hours 20 minutes, and with fares starting at just $30, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

      44bus per day
      16h 20mAverage Duration
      886 kmDistance
      22kgCO₂ emissions
      Average Price$30 - $172Average Duration16h 20m
      22kg CO₂e
      Shuttle
      Average Price$66 - $66Average Duration17h 30m
      27kg CO₂e

      Frequently asked questions about travelling from East London to Cape Town 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 East London to Cape Town?

        The cheapest bus tickets from East London to Cape Town start from $30. The average price for this route is around $59. 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 East London to Cape Town?

        The average bus travel time from East London to Cape Town is 16h 20m, covering a distance of 886 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 13h 30m and is operated by Intercity Xpress.

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

        Several major bus companies operate on this route with 44 buses available per day, including services from Intercape, Intercity Xpress, Eagle Liner, Greyhound South Africa, APM WC, Flexi City Connect, Big Sky, Delta Coaches, Wez We Coaches, Jacobs Coaches, Badela, Makalala Transport, Chilwans Express, ilulaBus, FF Gertse, Mini Mobile, BM Tours.

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

        The earliest bus departs from East London to Cape Town at 2:35am. And the latest bus departs at 7:40pm.

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

        A bus trip from East London to Cape Town 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 East London to Cape Town?

        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 East London to Cape Town?

        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 East London to Cape Town?

        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 East London to Cape Town?

        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
      11-28
      $56
      11-29
      $71
      Today
      $61
      12-01
      $31
      12-02
      $31
      12-03
      $31
      12-04
      $31
      12-05
      $32
      busbud logoThe cheapest trip from East London to Cape Town was searched and found on Dec 1, 2025 with a price of $31

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

      You can expect to pay from $31 to $104 for a bus ticket from East London to Cape Town based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $31 which is on 2025-12-01.

      Usually Big Sky, Intercape, Intercity Xpress 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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