Bus from East London to Cape Town: Tickets & Schedules

Next bus departures

Next departures for East London to Cape Town on December 25
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
APMWCBus
    EAST LONDON - Train Station, East London, Station St, Quigney
    Train Station, 1 Old Marine Dr.Cheapest
    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
      Delta CoachesBus
      East London (Windmill)
      Train Station, 1 Old Marine Dr.No tags

      Last refresh of the prices: Today at 8:46 AM 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 the good way to reach Cape Town. The journey takes about 16 hours 15 minutes and with fares starting at just $20, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

      47bus per day
      16h 15mAverage Duration
      549 milesDistance
      22kgCO₂ emissions
      Average Price$20 - $188Average Duration16h 15m
      22kg CO₂e
      Shuttle
      Average Price$46 - $46Average Duration17h 30m
      27kg CO₂e

      Frequently asked questions about traveling 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 $20. The average price for this route is around $39. 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 trip duration from East London to Cape Town is 16h 15m, covering a distance of 549 miles (885 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 13h 40m and is operated by Makalala Transport.

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

        Several major bus companies operate on this route with 47 buses available per day, including services from Intercape, Intercity Xpress, Eagle Liner, APM WC, Flexi City Connect, ilulaBus, Delta Coaches, Wez We Coaches, Greyhound South Africa, Big Sky, Jacobs Coaches, Badela, Makalala Transport, Chilwans Express, FF Gertse, Mini Mobile, BM Tours.

      4. What is the earliest and latest departure time 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 recommended mode of travel 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 Intercape, with an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars based on 44567 reviews.

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

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

      8. Which bus company has the most timely service from East London to Cape Town?

        According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely 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
      12/22
      $21
      12/23
      $21
      Today
      $19
      12/25
      $19
      12/26
      $19
      12/27
      $19
      12/28
      $19
      12/29
      $19
      busbud logoThe cheapest trip from East London to Cape Town was searched and found on Dec 24, 2025 with a price of $19

      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 $19 to $233 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 $19 which is on 2025-12-25.

      Usually Jacobs Coaches, 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.

      People from around the world trust Busbud