Intercape popular routes and schedules
Book cheap Intercape Bus tickets online, find schedules, prices, stations locations, services, promotions and deals.
| Popular routes | First and last departures | Average duration | Minimum price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durban → Johannesburg | First and last departures6:45am — 10:30pm | Average duration10h 37m | Minimum price$20 | |
| Johannesburg → Durban | First and last departures7:30am — 11:00pm | Average duration10h 16m | Minimum price$20 | |
| Durban → Pretoria | First and last departures6:45am — 10:30pm | Average duration11h 46m | Minimum price$20 | |
| Pretoria → Durban | First and last departures5:30am — 9:30pm | Average duration11h 53m | Minimum price$20 | |
| Johannesburg → Cape Town | First and last departures7:15am — 7:00pm | Average duration20h 28m | Minimum price$39 |
Official PartnerContact Intercape
Amenities on Intercape buses
- Air conditioning
- Toilet
- Standard seat
- Lie-flat Seat or Bed
- Entertainment (No Wifi)
- Power outlets
Intercape's Coverage in Numbers
- Daily Departures8252
- Cities256
- Countries5
- Routes8520
Intercape Bus classes
- Budgetliner
- Express
- Flexi
- Full Flexi
- Mainliner
- Saver
- Sleepliner
- Standard
For travelers looking for bus tickets and a bus service that operates throughout the southern part of Africa, Intercape is one of the most valued bus services. Since its launch in 1979, Intercape has gradually earned its place as a trusted and highly-respected bus service.
Starting in Namibia and then having the company branch out to South Africa, the bus service has deep roots nested in the culture of being safe and dependable to all people, regardless of who they are. To them, quality service, caring for the people, humility, ethics, and teamwork are values that the company lives and breathes by.
Intercape bus classes
Intercape bus service offers travelers three options for bus lines: sleepliner, mainliner and budgetliner.
Intercape Sleepliner buses
When you travel with Intercape's Sleepliner service, luxurious journeys have never been more accessible. Their coaches ensure that your trip will be so comfortable and restful, so you can arrive at your destination, feeling fresh and ready to go.
These buses are equipped with:
Seats that recline 150 degrees
Padded memory foam seats
Extra legroom with leg rest
Reserved Seating
Air conditioning
On-board toilet
Secure luggage storage
Audio and visual entertainment
USB Charging Points
If you’re a traveler looking to get a relaxing and well-rested time throughout the trip, then delight in knowing that this coach allows for a top-of-the-range experience that prioritizes comfort, reliability, safety, and quality performance above all else.
This line of the Intercape experience is certainly one worth considering if you’re looking to arrive at your destination feeling fresh and functional after a long trip.
Intercape Mainliner buses
Intercape’s mainliner is another option to consider when you’re searching for uncompromised excellence. It’s an ideal option for travelers looking for a bus service that covers an extensive network of routes, cities, and towns throughout southern Africa.
With these buses, Intercape prioritizes a convenient and smooth experience for its travelers over anything else. We’ve had many travelers commend the bus service on this line for being exceptional in areas like punctuality, safety, comfort, and a smooth experience no matter the time of the day.
These buses are equipped with:
Mainliner Features
Air conditioning
Onboard toilet
Secure luggage storage
Trained professional drivers
Comfortable reclining seats
Audio and visual entertainment
USB Charging Points
Safe travel environment and unbeatable safety record
📷 Mainliner bus
Budgetliner buses
As the name suggests, this line of coaches is the perfect fit for any traveler looking to get the most affordable option available while still receiving a decent experience. Though these coaches may not have amenities and features similar to the other two lines mentioned above, any traveler can still have a pleasant experience while on the bus.
If you’re riding on a budget and looking for the most affordable experience within the Intercape service, then here’s a list of features that you can expect:
Comfortable Reclining seats
Air conditioning
Reading lights
Onboard USB charging ports
Drivecam
24-hour satellite tracking
📷 Budgetliner bus
Book your Intercape bus tickets online
Busbud partnered with Intercape to make it easier for travelers to find and book Intercape bus tickets. With Busbud, you can search for available routes, compare prices, and book your tickets all in one place.
The platform is user-friendly and allows you to filter your search results by bus class, departure time, and duration of the trip. Additionally, Busbud offers a secure payment system, making it easy and safe to purchase your Intercape bus tickets online.
Whether you're planning a long-distance trip or a shorter journey, Busbud can help you find and book the right Intercape bus ticket for your needs.
Intercape User Reviews
Intercape receives praise for having comfortable buses and helpful drivers, ensuring a safe travel experience. However, several reviews mention issues with time management, such as late arrivals and frequent bus changes. Some passengers also noted discomfort due to cold temperatures on the bus and non-functional charging ports or Wi-Fi services.
The bus was on time. The driver was efficient and assisted with ticket issuing and luggage handling. The bus was clean and neat. However, we didn’t have the option of booking our preferred seats and ended up having to share seats with people that were traveling alone as we couldn’t find seats to seat together. The AC was acting up….very hot on embarkation and very cold in when we were trying to sleep at the early hours of the morning! The toilet was soiled and we couldn’t use it.
Gugulethu M.
We travelled with BigSky instead of Intercape Budget liner. The BigSky had broken seats Infront of me, so whenever the front passenger leaned the seat was leaning back to my knees all the time. So he was forced not to lean at all. Imagine travelling for 8 hours with such discomfort! The seats were not comfortable, as a result my back was painful when I got to my destination. This was a disappointment for me because I travelled with Intercape Budget liner on the 16th of December and it was comfortable, hence I booked it again for my return. The only good thing about the trip was the fact that the bus didn't break down and we made it within the estimated time, otherwise...
Ntokoh G.
Was supposed to arrive at my destination at 20:10 but instead we arrived at 23:15. Ai shame I'm thanks🚮
Thandeka N.
Very Bad. The bus was untidy and had a bad odour
Thato M.
Bus departure time supposed to be 00H10 but it ended up leaving at 01H55 (almost 2hrs late) imagine that long wait with no update outside. I ended up arriving at around 13h00 in Port Elizabeth. I don't think I will use the internal again, I will not even recommend it to anyone.
Monde N.
The bus was delayed with 2 hours and the charging ports was nor working. The service is getting terrible by the day
Vonita J.
Intercape FAQ
No, there is no WiFi on Intercape. No worries, you can use your time on the bus to catch up on some much needed sleep! You can also download your favorite movies, TV shows, and audiobooks or bring a good book.
Yes, there are power outlets and USB plugs on Intercape. You can usually find 1 or 2 plugs per row of seats, so be a good traveler and check if your neighbor wants to charge up their devices as well.
Yes, Intercape buses have a toilet on board. Toilets generally do not have running water, so we recommend bringing hand sanitizer. Remember to always hold the railing when going to the toilet in a moving vehicle.
There are no meals or snacks offered on Intercape buses. We recommend that you bring some snacks and drinks in a reusable water bottle for your bus trip.
No, you don't need to print your ticket. You can board Intercape buses by showing your e-ticket on your smartphone, along with a valid photo ID. Your ticket will be sent to you by email when booking on Busbud.
Only Certified Service animals are allowed on Intercape buses. Unfortunately, your pets are not allowed on the bus or in the hold of the bus.
Intercape goes the extra distance to offer best-in-class services to all travelers. You will be able to enjoy Air conditioning, Standard seat, Lie-flat Seat or Bed, Power outlets, Toilet, on their buses.
If you’re travelling between borders, you must ensure you have a valid passport with you for approval to cross the border. Another thing to note is that all your other paperwork must be present and up to date. This includes a Visa if it’s been requested and all vaccinations that may be needed.
For better advice, we suggest you consult a travel clinic for more information.
We and Intercape understand that travelling can sometimes involve large luggage items. Intercape allows for large items and extra luggage to be transported on the bus.
It’s good to note, however, that things like bicycles, perishable items, fishing rods, plastic carry bags, surfboards, and abnormal boxes are not allowed.
Unlike the amenities and features that you’d find with our other partners, Intercape, unfortunately, doesn’t serve any food or drinks on the bus. However, buses do make stops along the way to allow travellers to purchase any refreshments and food that they would like for the trip.
At the moment, Intercape has three classes available to travellers. The SAVER plan allows travellers to get the best offers in price. The only downside with this plan is that availability is very limited and comes with several restrictions, especially regarding changes and cancellations done with your booking. For this reason, it’s best to book early enough to find this plan available.
The FLEXI and FULL FLEXI plans are a lot more flexible in comparison to the SAVER tickets. But because of this, they are pricier than your SAVER tickets.
We recommend all travellers arrive a minimum of 60 minutes before departure, especially if you happen to be travelling across borders. Thirty minutes before departure is acceptable for local trips, but we recommend a 60-minute gap to provide for any delays.
Please remember that to board your bus at the Intercape station, you’ll need to have your printed ticket or e-ticket and ID document.
Yes! If the child is younger than 18 months old, they can sit on the lap of the guardian or parent at no cost for as long as they do not occupy a seat. All children above this age are required to book and pay for a seat.
If your child is travelling across the border without you, please ensure that the child has an affidavit from you as the parent permitting this.
No child under 12 can travel alone, and should they be travelling with a guardian, the guardian must be over 18.
If you have a preference on where you’d like to be seated on the bus, then please make sure that your tickets are purchased either through the Intercape call centre or its offices. Seat selection is not possible if you choose to make your booking on our website.
You have until 24 hours before departure to choose a seat within the bus and kindly note that this option is only available to seats that haven’t yet been booked.
You have up to 15 minutes before your departure to make any changes to your ticket booking if you cannot make it for your booking time. Please note that a fee is applied to the changes made, but this fee will depend on the class you’ve chosen for the trip. You can make all your ticket changes by either visiting the Intercape office or calling our call centre.
Kindly note that you cannot make any further changes to a bus ticket that’s already been changed.
You have two payment methods to choose from:
Credit Card: Simply input the required details upon completing your online purchase.
Instant EFT: transfer from any South African bank account directly with Instant EFT. Select "Instant EFT" at check-out, then follow the straightforward instructions and you are off on your journey in no time!
Intercape destinations
Intercape buses travel to hundreds of destinations in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique, so you’re likely to find the line you’re looking for with Intercape. Here at Busbud, we’ve made it possible for you to make your Intercape bookings with ease and convenience all online.
Here's where you can go with Intercape:
Most Affordable Trips With Intercape
Interested in wanting an affordable experience with our Intercape partner, why not look at the most affordable trips available through Intercape. Keep in mind that these rates remain uncompromised in offering you the most luxurious bus service experience ever.
Why choose Busbud?
The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets
Busbud is a bus and train search tool - we include Intercape routes, schedules and prices in our searches along with many other train and bus companies. You can compare prices, amenities and times by searching for a route. If you find a suitable trip, you can go ahead and get your Intercape ticket from us. Note that train tickets sell out, Intercape and other operators generally charge a lot more for last-minute tickets or for tickets bought in person.
Popular Routes, Destinations and Stations
Top Bus Lines
Curious about Intercape's busiest routes? Here's where most of our passengers are heading!
- Johannesburg to Durban$25
- Pretoria to Durban$26
- Johannesburg to Cape Town$43
- Durban to Johannesburg$25
- Cape Town to Johannesburg$42
- Durban to Pretoria$25
- Pretoria to Cape Town$43
- Vereeniging to Durban$25
- Durban to Cape Town$50
- Cape Town to Pretoria$42
- Bloemfontein to Durban$39
- Cape Town to Mthatha$42
- Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth$37
- Cape Town to Durban$50
- Maputo to Johannesburg$39
- Johannesburg to Maputo$38
- Port Elizabeth to Cape Town$31
- Mthatha to Cape Town$42
- Cape Town to Port Elizabeth$34
- Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg$37
Top Destinations
From big cities to hidden gems, these are the places Intercape can take you on your next adventure!
- Buses to Johannesburg
- Buses to Cape Town
- Buses to Pretoria
- Buses to Durban
- Buses to Bloemfontein
- Buses to Midrand
- Buses to Port Elizabeth
- Buses to Mthatha
- Buses to East London
- Buses to Pietermaritzburg
- Buses to George
- Buses to Welkom
- Buses to Queenstown
- Buses to King William’s Town
- Buses to Mossel Bay
- Buses to Kimberley
- Buses to Paarl
- Buses to Worcester
- Buses to Potchefstroom
- Buses to Klerksdorp
Top Stations and Locations
Need to know where to catch Intercape? We've got a list of our main stops to help plan your trip.
- Durban Beach - Intercape Office, o.r Tambo Parade (Opposite Tropicana Hotel)
- Intercape Office, C/O Fleming and North Union Street (Central)
- Intercape Office, Moore Street (Windmill Park)
- Pietermaritzburg - Intercape Office, Burger Street (opposite McDonalds)
- Intercape Office, Cathcart Road (next to Sasol Garage)
- Railway Station
- Kimberley - Tourist Centre, Bultfontein Road (Civic Centre)
- Butterworth - Ellerines, High Street
- Bp Garage - Main Road
- Intercape Office, Station Street (George Station)
- Welkom - EP Building, 17A Buitenstreet (TL Barnard behind Checkers)
- The Frontier Country Hotel, Bathurst Street
- Total Garage
- Polokwane - Mall Of The North
- Paarl - Shell Garage, C/o Suid and Hoof Street
- Harrismith - Shell Garage, Mkechnie Street (building adjacent to Garage)
Most popular airports and destinations
Flying part of the way? See where Intercape can connect you to popular airports and help your reach your final stop!
- O.R Tambo Airport Johannesburg to Gaborone
- Rustenburg to O.R Tambo Airport Johannesburg
- Newcastle to The Edward Hotel (Durban)
- Standerton to The Edward Hotel (Durban)
- The Edward Hotel (Durban) to Pretoria