Bus from Cape Town to East London: Tickets & Schedules

Next bus departures

Next departures for Cape Town to East London on August 11
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
APMWCBus
Train Station, 1 Old Marine Dr.
EAST LONDON - Train Station, East London, Station St, QuigneyCheapest
Intercape MainlinerBus
Bellville - Intercape Office, 8 Mabel Street (turnoff from Durban Road)
East London (Windmill Mall) Fastest
Big SkyBus
Bellville - Intercape Office, 8 Mabel Street (turnoff from Durban Road)
East London (Windmill Mall) No tags
Intercape MainlinerBus
Bellville - Intercape Office, 8 Mabel Street (turnoff from Durban Road)
East London (Windmill Mall) No tags
GreyhoundBus
Cape Town, 1 Old Marine Drive
East London Windmill ParkNo tags
Intercity XpressBus
Bellville - 8 Mabel St.
Railway StationNo tags
Eagle LinerBus
Bellville - 8 Mabel St.
Railway StationNo tags
Delta CoachesBus
Train Station, 1 Old Marine Dr.
Train Station East LondonNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 11:55 PM SAST.

Compare 2 ways to go from Cape Town to East London

We recommend taking the shuttle

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Shuttle stands out as a good way to reach East London. The journey takes about 15 hours 45 minutes, and with fares starting at just $57, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

2shuttle per day
15h 45mAverage Duration
886 kmDistance
27kgCO₂ emissions
Average Price$34 - $159Average Duration16h 30m
22kg CO₂e
Shuttle
Average Price$57 - $57Average Duration15h 45m
27kg CO₂e

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

    The cheapest bus tickets from Cape Town to East London start from $34. The average price for this route is around $66. 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 Cape Town to East London?

    The average bus travel time from Cape Town to East London is 16h 30m, covering a distance of 878 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 14h 15m and is operated by Badela.

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

    Several major bus companies operate on this route with 39 buses available per day, including services from Intercape, Intercity Xpress, APM WC, Eagle Liner, Flexi City Connect, Delta Coaches, Greyhound South Africa, Big Sky, Wez We Coaches, Badela, Jacobs Coaches, Makalala Transport, ilulaBus, Chilwans Express.

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

    The earliest bus departs from Cape Town to East London at 6:00am. And the latest bus departs at 7:15pm.

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

    A bus trip from Cape Town to East London generates an estimated 21.942725 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 Cape Town to East London?

    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 49457 reviews.

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

    Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Chilwans Express has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 5.0.

  8. Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Cape Town to East London?

    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 Cape Town to East London?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Badela, with a cleanliness rating of 4.3 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
08-09
$52
08-10
$47
Today
$32
08-12
$33
08-13
$35
08-14
$32
08-15
$32
08-16
$32
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Cape Town to East London was searched and found on Aug 11, 2026 with a price of $32

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 $32 to $77 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 $32 which is on 2026-08-14.

Usually 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.

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