What’s the cheapest way to travel from Paarl to Mthatha?

The most affordable option for this trip is the bus. The cheapest bus ticket costs $20, and the average price is $39. Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate depending on when you book, with last-minute departures typically costing more.

What is the fastest way to travel between Paarl and Mthatha?

If you're pressed for time, the bus reigns supreme, taking you from Paarl to Mthatha in roughly 15h 30m.

How do I travel from Paarl to Mthatha without a car?

You can take a bus or shuttle for this route. If you’re looking for the most cost-effective option, than we recommend bus.

How long is the bus ride from Paarl to Mthatha?

The average travel time between Paarl and Mthatha is around 15h 30m, although the fastest bus will take about 9h 30m. This is the time it takes to travel the 589 miles that separates the two cities.

Which bus companies travel from Paarl to Mthatha?

When taking the bus from Paarl to Mthatha, you can travel comfortably and safely with Intercape, APM WC, Eagle Liner, Big Sky, Intercity Xpress, Makalala Transport, JOBELASTAR, BADELA, Gxaweni, NALEDI.

How many daily bus connections are there between Paarl and Mthatha?

The number of buses from Paarl to Mthatha can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 28 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from Paarl to Mthatha by comparing and selecting the bus that fits you travel style and budget on Busbud.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Paarl to Mthatha?

Buses traveling between Paarl and Mthatha leave from Paarl - Shell Garage, C/o Suid and Hoof Street or and arrive at Southridge Park - Shell Ultra City, Umtata Station.

How to get to Mthatha from Paarl

2 ways to go from Paarl to Mthatha

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$20 - $82	Average Duration15h 30m	CO₂ emissions 24kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestFastestMost eco-friendly
Shuttle	Average Price$44 - $99	Average Duration20h 55m	CO₂ emissions 29kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Paarl to Mthatha

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Mthatha. The journey takes about 15 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just $20, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

28bus per day

15h 30mAverage Duration

$20Cheapest ticket

24kgCO₂ emissions

TodayMar 13

from $27

TomorrowMar 14

from $22

SatMar 15

from $22

SunMar 16

from $22

MonMar 17

from $22

TueMar 18

from $22

WedMar 19

from $23

ThuMar 20

Next departures to Mthatha

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: March 14 at 5:55pm
Departure city: Paarl
Departure location: Paarl - Shell Garage, C/o Suid and Hoof Street
Arrival time: March 15 at 7:45am
Destination city: Mthatha
Destination location: Umtata Station
Operated by: APMWC
Vehicle: BusDuration: 13h 50m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: March 14 at 5:55pm
Departure city: Paarl
Departure location: Paarl - Shell Garage, C/o Suid and Hoof Street
Arrival time: March 15 at 7:30am
Destination city: Mthatha
Destination location: Umtata (Shell Ultra City)
Operated by: APMWC
Vehicle: BusDuration: 13h 35m
Departure time: March 14 at 5:55pm
Departure city: Paarl
Departure location: Paarl - Shell Garage, C/o Suid and Hoof Street
Arrival time: March 15 at 7:30am
Destination city: Mthatha
Destination location: Umtata (Shell Ultra City)
Operated by: APMWC
Vehicle: BusDuration: 13h 35m
Departure time: March 14 at 7:15am
Departure city: Paarl
Departure location: Paarl - Shell Garage, C/o Suid and Hoof Street
Arrival time: March 15 at 3:40am
Destination city: Mthatha
Destination location: Shell Ultra City, Shell Garage N2
Operated by: Intercape Mainliner
Vehicle: BusDuration: 20h 25m
Departure time: March 14 at 7:15am
Departure city: Paarl
Departure location: Paarl - Shell Garage, C/o Suid and Hoof Street
Arrival time: March 15 at 3:55am
Destination city: Mthatha
Destination location: Intercape Office, King Edward Street (opposite Train Station)
Operated by: Intercape Mainliner
Vehicle: BusDuration: 20h 40m

Accepted payments

From Paarl to Mthatha: Trip Overview

Travel the 589 miles (950 km) from Paarl to Mthatha by Bus, Shuttle or Shuttle. The average cost for a trip from Paarl to Mthatha is $45.

Average ticket price$45

Average trip duration18h 12m

Number of daily departures28

Number of daily shuttle departures3

Earliest departure7:10am

Distance589 miles (950 km)

Latest departure9:30pm

Cheapest mode of travelBus - $20

Fastest mode of travelBus - 9h 30m

Helpful information to go from Paarl to Mthatha

Whether you're a budget traveler or seeking a swift and comfortable journey, planning your trip from Paarl to Mthatha is a breeze. Discover the transportation options that suit you and embark on your next adventure!

Travel Modes

Bus

Travel by bus from Paarl to Mthatha for an average of $39 and a travel time of 16 hours 10 minutes. Intercape, APM WC, Eagle Liner, Big Sky, Intercity Xpress, Makalala Transport, JOBELASTAR, BADELA, Gxaweni, NALEDI offer tickets starting at $20.

Flight

While Busbud promotes sustainable travel, flying from Paarl to Mthatha is sometime an option travelers can consider. However, be aware of the higher carbon footprint and, in most cases, higher costs compared to other travel options. No matter your chosen travel mode, with Busbud we are here to simplify your decision-making. Find the best way to travel from Paarl to Mthatha and the best travel option that perfectly matches your needs and budget, ensuring a seamless booking experience.

Official partners operating from Paarl

Bus

Intercape

3.5/538,633 reviews

Staff4.3

Timeliness3

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi1.2

Intercape is a long-distance bus company operating mainly in South Africa, but also in Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique. One of the largest and most reputable intercity bus operators in the region, Intercape buses are known for their safety, comfort, and convenience, presenting three bus classes: sleepliner, mainline and budgetliner, each with its own features and level of comfort. Every coach is equipped with bathrooms, air conditioning, individual reading lights, reclining seats, and onboard audio/video entertainment to make your journey even more enjoyable. The company operates a network of routes across South Africa and neighboring countries, connecting major cities and towns.

Intercape Mainliner Express Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

It was perfectly good

Asekho A.

January 15, 2025

The charging points were not working and the seats were not comfortable

Siwaphiwe L.

April 30, 2024

First of all it was not mainliner it was budget liner it was so uncomfortable

Akhusele N.

September 11, 2023

APM WC

2/51,576 reviews

Staff2.4

Timeliness0.7

Cleanliness2.5

Wifi0.3

Users generally found the internal appearance of the bus to be satisfactory and appreciated the friendliness of the drivers. However, there were some concerns about non-functional charging points and a lack of communication regarding delays.

APMWC Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

I did not enjoy their service it's very poor the drivers they lack communication with the passangers

Inga Senamile L.

January 31, 2025

Hayi yey i didn't enjoy anything, APMWC is so unprofessional marn, worst system ever.

Sesethu S.

December 23, 2024

The bus came late, and we didn't get the msge of foun call to tell us,even your drivers didn't say nothing

Nikiwe M.

July 2, 2024

Eagle Liner

2.5/58,259 reviews

Staff3.7

Timeliness2.1

Cleanliness3.5

Wifi0.7

Users generally appreciated the friendly and helpful staff during their trips. However, there were consistent mentions of buses arriving late and issues with temperature control, such as a lack of heating making some journeys uncomfortable. Despite these concerns, many found the overall travel experience satisfactory.

Eagle Liner Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

The trip was good n good staff members but bus was very cold doesn't have heater on it and that made the trip too long to get to the destination

Lundi M.

May 23, 2024

Was satisfied by the although the bus was an hour late, otherwise the trip itself was satisfactory

Ntutuzelo M.

June 12, 2023

Very bad the bus delayed and no communication was done

Awonke N.

July 25, 2024

Big Sky

3.5/51,956 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.2

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi1.6

Intercity Xpress

3/58,400 reviews

Staff3.9

Timeliness2.3

Cleanliness3.7

Wifi1

Intercity Xpress is a long-distance bus company operating in South Africa. The company established itself as an affordable intercity bus operator, offering services between cities all over the country. Their coaches are equipped with standard seats and they have a generous luggage policy of up to 25 kg. Although they make an effort to respect their timetables, travelers report that delays are expected for Intercity Xpress, so it's good to be flexible with your schedule if you're traveling with them. Their cancellation policy is also flexible, as you can cancel your ticket up to 6 hours before travel time and get a refund of 80% of your ticket value.

Makalala Transport

3/5162 reviews

Staff3.4

Timeliness1.3

Cleanliness3.7

Wifi1.3

JOBELASTAR

2.5/5228 reviews

Staff3.7

Timeliness1.8

Cleanliness3.1

Wifi0.7

BADELA

3.5/5176 reviews

Staff3.9

Timeliness2.9

Cleanliness4

Wifi1.9

Gxaweni

1/517 reviews

Staff0.5

Timeliness0.3

Cleanliness1.9

Wifi0

NALEDI

2.5/520 reviews

Staff2.2

Timeliness0.7

Cleanliness2.7

Wifi0

Based on 20 reviews, the company was rated 2.4 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the departure location but often complained with the wifi. NALEDI ticket prices on this trip start at $57.00

NALEDI Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

First of all I didn’t travel by NALEDI Bus, we were transported by a very noisy and cold sprinter and overloaded which was very unsafe.. I will escalate this matter to the department of transportation.

Gcobisa P.

December 28, 2023

Shuttle

Intercape

3.5/538,633 reviews

Staff4.3

Timeliness3

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi1.2

Intercape is a long-distance bus company operating mainly in South Africa, but also in Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique. One of the largest and most reputable intercity bus operators in the region, Intercape buses are known for their safety, comfort, and convenience, presenting three bus classes: sleepliner, mainline and budgetliner, each with its own features and level of comfort. Every coach is equipped with bathrooms, air conditioning, individual reading lights, reclining seats, and onboard audio/video entertainment to make your journey even more enjoyable. The company operates a network of routes across South Africa and neighboring countries, connecting major cities and towns.

Intercape Mainliner Express Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

It was perfectly good

Asekho A.

January 15, 2025

The charging points were not working and the seats were not comfortable

Siwaphiwe L.

April 30, 2024

First of all it was not mainliner it was budget liner it was so uncomfortable

Akhusele N.

September 11, 2023

Frequently asked questions

What’s the cheapest way to travel from Paarl to Mthatha?
The most affordable option for this trip is the bus. The cheapest bus ticket costs $20, and the average price is $39. Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate depending on when you book, with last-minute departures typically costing more.
What is the fastest way to travel between Paarl and Mthatha?
If you're pressed for time, the bus reigns supreme, taking you from Paarl to Mthatha in roughly 15h 30m.
How do I travel from Paarl to Mthatha without a car?
You can take a bus or shuttle for this route. If you’re looking for the most cost-effective option, than we recommend bus.
How long is the bus ride from Paarl to Mthatha?
The average travel time between Paarl and Mthatha is around 15h 30m, although the fastest bus will take about 9h 30m. This is the time it takes to travel the 589 miles that separates the two cities.
Which bus companies travel from Paarl to Mthatha?
When taking the bus from Paarl to Mthatha, you can travel comfortably and safely with Intercape, APM WC, Eagle Liner, Big Sky, Intercity Xpress, Makalala Transport, JOBELASTAR, BADELA, Gxaweni, NALEDI.
How many daily bus connections are there between Paarl and Mthatha?
The number of buses from Paarl to Mthatha can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 28 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from Paarl to Mthatha by comparing and selecting the bus that fits you travel style and budget on Busbud.
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Paarl to Mthatha?
Buses traveling between Paarl and Mthatha leave from Paarl - Shell Garage, C/o Suid and Hoof Street or and arrive at Southridge Park - Shell Ultra City, Umtata Station.

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

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How to travel from Paarl to Mthatha

2 ways to go from Paarl to Mthatha

One passenger / one way

Next departures to Mthatha

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

From Paarl to Mthatha: Trip Overview

Helpful information to go from Paarl to Mthatha

Travel Modes

Bus

Flight

Official partners operating from Paarl

Intercape Mainliner Express Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

APMWC Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

Eagle Liner Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

Big Sky Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

MAKALALATRANSPORT Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

BADELA Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

NALEDI Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

Intercape Mainliner Express Paarl Mthatha recent customer reviews

Frequently asked questions

What’s the cheapest way to travel from Paarl to Mthatha?

What is the fastest way to travel between Paarl and Mthatha?

How do I travel from Paarl to Mthatha without a car?

How long is the bus ride from Paarl to Mthatha?

Which bus companies travel from Paarl to Mthatha?

How many daily bus connections are there between Paarl and Mthatha?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Paarl to Mthatha?

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

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