Busbud recommends taking the bus from Cape Town to East London
Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach East London. The journey takes about 16 hours 10 minutes and with fares starting at just US$21, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Passengers generally appreciate the clean and comfortable buses, with friendly and helpful staff contributing to a positive travel experience. Many users highlight punctuality as a strong point of the service. However, some reviews mention concerns about insufficient charging ports and lack of onboard toilets. Overall, travelers express satisfaction with their journeys despite minor issues noted by some passengers.
Intercape Mainliner Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
I didn't even go because I was in the wrong place my ticket was supposed to be in Belleville so I've been waiting in cape town
1 out of 5 stars
Nokubonga L.
Drivers are too friendly and much care for a passengers. Bus are very nice beautiful and clean
5 out of 5 stars
Nkwekhwezi M.
It was quite long then expected but the drivers where very nice the bus was well condition as it was a cold and raining tip. And the stops were efficient stops . Except the route it was unexpected please disclose route on app/site before we purchase the ticket so we can know which one to buy
Passengers have noted that the buses are generally warm, comfortable, and punctual. However, there are concerns about drivers' communication styles being perceived as rude or unhelpful at times. Additionally, some users reported unexpected charges for luggage and delays due to extended pit stops or additional parcel pickups affecting their travel experience.
APMWC Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
Going there was nice coming back driver very rude argued with me don't stop at pitstops to use the toilet
1 out of 5 stars
Grace C.
Bus was cold because wind went through the windows and driver didn’t put on air conditioner to warm the bus . Loud music played by the driver even when passengers complained that they can’t sleep because of loud music his response was that he doesn’t want to fall asleep the loud music is good for him . Winter time at night bus cold and bus driver made my experience bad . Would never use APMWC bus again and so will my family and friends .😡🤬
1 out of 5 stars
Ngowetu C.
Terrible experience, waited for 19h20 bus at Bellville and it arrived after 21h00. Such a sucking service
Passengers have shared positive experiences, highlighting the punctuality of the buses and professionalism of drivers. The vehicles are often described as clean and warm, contributing to a pleasant journey. However, some reviews mention issues with charging stations not functioning consistently and occasional unpleasant odors from bus toilets.
Intercity Xpress Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
The driver was very friendly and accommodating. The bad part was urine coming from the toilet to the floor and it was stinking
4 out of 5 stars
Portia F.
The bus is warm and clean with charging stations. The drivers were very professional and communicated in time for any announcements. The only issue was the smell in the toilet.
5 out of 5 stars
Zanele N.
It took almost 24 hours to reach to thr destination, to make it worse the bus died down on the way we had to complete our journey from our pockets getting a car to EL when there was not even a single word said to us as to what will be the plan to get to thr final destination. We had to walk up the road to find transport to finish our journey. Intercity/ eagle liner buses should be taken off the road.
Big Sky bus services have received positive feedback for their comfortable and clean buses, as well as friendly and professional drivers who ensure a smooth ride. However, some users reported delays in departure times without prior communication. Despite this issue, the overall experience remains satisfying with timely arrivals at destinations.
Big Sky Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
My experience with Big Sky was generally positive. I appreciated the friendly and communicative drivers, who made the journey enjoyable.
The driving itself was smooth, and I liked the bus features, especially the air conditioning, which worked well throughout the trip.
However, I was disappointed with the delay. The bus was scheduled to arrive at 19:30 and depart at 19:45, but it was delayed until 20:45 without any prior communication. This lack of updates was frustrating.
Overall, I enjoyed the ride and look forward to seeing improvements in communication for future trips.
5 out of 5 stars
Mlungiseleli M.
Sits of the bus are too small and there's no space in front of the chairs to relax your feet. And the bus was late we were not notified.
2 out of 5 stars
Noxolo N.
Overall journey was good but departure was an hour delayed from projected time of 19:00
Passengers have shared positive experiences with the bus service, highlighting friendly and accommodating drivers, as well as a clean environment. However, some reviews noted discomfort due to an unpleasant smell from the toilet and cold air entering through an open window or emergency door. Overall, travelers appreciated arriving earlier than expected.
Eagle Liner Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
There's nothing I didn't enjoy it was clean and the drivers were accomodative the only that made the bus cold was that there was an open window/emergency door , do I'd recommend they check everything before letting people in otherwise it was warm and safe I got home earlier than the estimated time , thank you eagliner💋🤣
5 out of 5 stars
Alizwa Q.
The experience was pretty bad, I didn't enjoy my entire trip. First it was another passenger that was under the influence of alcohol who was sexually harassing us during the few hours the bus took off but that was quickly solved by dropping him off at the police station. Around 2am the one the bus's wheels busted
1 out of 5 stars
Liyakhanya M.
There's nothing I enjoyed the bus was too old it arrived late,got stack because it had no diesel. How can a bus transporting people be on the road without being checked if it has diesel
Users have expressed satisfaction with the service, highlighting that the drivers were friendly and provided good driving. Additionally, they appreciated that the buses were on time.
JACOBSCOACHES Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
there's no order and they don't care much about the passengers first driver ran away on Friday night saying he doesn't know way out of Cape Town to East London left us stranded. I'm so disappointed in them I don't wish anyone to experience what I've experienced 😭😭
1 out of 5 stars
Kwanele M.
The trip was very bad, got stuck for hours and hours we missed out on things we were actually traveling for, shuttles arrived late and they never wanted to deliver us to our homes because of their bus being stuck and shuttles arrived late, we couldn’t find taxi’s going home. I’m very much disappointed 😢.
1 out of 5 stars
Asemahle R.
We had to switched busses in Graaff Reinett and then then people were moving out of the bus while my partner and I didn't know what was happening. Then we got seats at the back of the bus which was absolutely disgusting cause every time the toilet was flushed the smell was horrendous making me sick to my stomach and the USB charging points was not working at all.
Chilwans Express offers 2 daily departures, and you can find tickets starting at US$34. The quickest ride takes around 967. Chilwans Express offers a cost-effective solution to get you where you need to be.
Users have noted that the buses are clean and punctual, providing a safe travel experience. The drivers ensure passengers have adequate breaks without rushing them. However, some users mentioned discomfort due to excessive heat from the heater at the back of the bus and disturbances caused by disruptive individuals on board.
Greyhound Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
It was not comfortable and there was no service, the book in building is deliberated and the toilet was broken. And it was uncomfortably hot.
1 out of 5 stars
Fran B.
The driver stopping and not rushing us to have a refresher. The toilet was clean right through the trip. Safe travels. Only thing I was dissatisfied with was the heater. We sat at the back so for us it was extra hot.
5 out of 5 stars
Manny L.
We were given ElJosa bus which was not pleasant to travel with. The drivers were very rude. When we got to Bellville we had to carry our luggage to the bus. The bus was suppose to leave Cape Town at 7pm it only left at past 9 pm, which made us arrive past 2pm in East London instead of 10:50. I will never recommend the bus to my friends or family.
Users have shared positive feedback about their travel experiences, highlighting the safety of the trips and commendable customer service from drivers. However, there is a common concern regarding punctuality, with some users noting delays in departure times from Cape Town station. Overall satisfaction remains high despite these timing issues.
Delta Coaches Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
It was horrible. The bus left Cape Town late. We had a breakdown, and we waited long for help to arrive. We were supposed to arrive in East London after 8am. Its past 14h00 we just left Queenstown.
1 out of 5 stars
Awodwa X.
Nothing impressive bus was 2 hours late from departure, bus was very cold no charging pots don’t allow us to buy food on the road on top my bag has my belongings and identification card was left in the bus no way of contacting the bus they could have called me because they have my details
1 out of 5 stars
Aseza L.
It was unbearable, very disappointed. Bus was 4 hiurs late without aby communication or whatsoever. Rude staff on top of it all. Worst experience I travelling from Cape Town to East London
Based on 530 reviews, the company was rated 1.7 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the power outlets but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Wez We Coaches ticket prices on this trip start at US$32
Wez We Coaches Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
We slept in the station waiting for a bus that was supposed to arrive at 7 pm it arrived at 11am still on the way, the attitude they gave us 😩,
Poor service windows are not closing properly
I will never recommend this bus to anyone
I know it’s cheap but don’t
1 out of 5 stars
Asive M.
Horrible,Very poor service. The bus cold and old there is no air on no charging ports they don't even respect time
Based on 10 reviews, the company was rated 2.4 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the staff and the seats but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Flexi City Connect ticket prices on this trip start at US$29
Based on 213 reviews, the company was rated 3 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the cleanliness but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Makalala Transport ticket prices on this trip start at US$47
Based on 235 reviews, the company was rated 3.5 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the departure location but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Badela ticket prices on this trip start at US$58
BADELA Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
I enjoyed my trip staff treated us very well .I will definetely travel with Badela bus again.thanks keep up the good work.
5 out of 5 stars
Lukhona N.
The first bus got stuck at worster and we had to wait for another bus to come from cape town. The bus arrived with people leaving others without chairs. The bus was leaking and we arrived wet at our destination with our luggage wet
According to multiple reviews, ilulabus provides a pleasant trip experience. However, some customers express dissatisfaction with poor service and significant delays of up to 8 hours.
ilulaBus Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
The bus was supposed to depart at 8 but it departed at 8. The drivers were using GPS for directions which delayed us. I was supposed to have arrived at 9:30 only to arrive at 3pm. Never again will I book Ilula bus.
1 out of 5 stars
Nomzamo M.
I didn't enjoy anything. The bus was supposed to leave at 6pm in cape town and it left at 00:00. The but kept on stopping on the way as it kept on breaking down and a bus that was meant to arrive at 09:00 in east london arrived at 23:30. They didn't even arrange transport for us to cover the inconvenience.
1 out of 5 stars
Sindisa M.
There was a 6 hour delay . Bus never came and we received sms to say the bus is delayed by one and a half hours. Bus was delayed by more than that. Left cape town past 12 when the departure time was at 6
Based on 6 reviews, the company was rated 1 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the staff and the timeliness but often complained with the ticket access. Mini Mobile ticket prices on this trip start at US$25
Mini Mobile Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
Mini Mobile was a no show. There was simply no bus service available, people waited through out the evening and no bus arrive. There was zero communication or an apology.
BM Tours offers 4 daily departures, and you can find tickets starting at US$22. The quickest ride takes around 792. BM Tours offers a cost-effective solution to get you where you need to be.
Based on 408 reviews, the company was rated 1.4 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the power outlets but often complained with the Wi-Fi. FF Gertse ticket prices on this trip start at US$32
FFGERTSE Cape Town East London recent customer reviews
I didn't enjoy my trip the windows couldn't close properly and we were so cramped the bus was so full some people were sitting on top of the bucket 😐 worse trip ever and there's no time management and it was my first time traveling with FFGERTSE bus never again
Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Cape Town to East London.
We make sure you can find a bus service from Cape Town to East London from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.
Discover how much the bus trip from Cape Town to East London will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.
Where are the popular stops in Cape Town and East London?
37 Cambridge St, East London Cbd, East London, 5200, South AfricaEast London
D - Windmill Mall
Windmill Mall, 122 Moore St, East LondonWindmill Mall
Frequently asked questions on the trip Cape Town - East London
How far is East London from Cape Town by coach?
The distance between Cape Town and East London by coach is approximately 550 miles (887 km).
Is there a way to reach East London from Cape Town without flying?
You have the option to select the coach for your journey on this route. Choosing the coach guarantees a comfortable and sustainable travel experience, allowing you to admire the views on your way to your destination. You might also find carpooling options to travel between the two cities.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
16/09
US$21
17/09
US$21
Today
US$21
19/09
US$19
20/09
US$19
21/09
US$19
22/09
US$19
23/09
US$19
The cheapest trip from Cape Town to East London was searched and found on 20 Sept 2025 with a price of US$19
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 US$19 to US$115 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 US$19, which is on 2025-09-20.
Usually Intercape, Jacobs Coaches 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.
About Bus Travel
Bus Travel Tips
If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Cape Town to East London but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.
Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Cape Town to East London, get comfy and count the stars.
Buses have the smallest carbon footprint of all motorized transport modes. A bus going from Cape Town to East London will emit half the CO2 emitted by a train, and radically less than a car or an airplane.
Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Cape Town to East London.
Did you know?
The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!
It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.
The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.
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