Intercape receives praise for its clean buses, friendly and efficient staff, and punctual service. Many passengers enjoyed a comfortable journey with helpful drivers who assist those in need. However, some reviews mention issues like non-functional charging ports or toilets and occasional delays due to bus changes or communication lapses during stopovers. Overall, the positive experiences outweigh these minor inconveniences for most travelers.
The bus was clean and nice the problem was the driver opened an air conditioner the whole trip we ask him to turn off he was very rude...speaking today cause I just been discharged from hospital because of the cold I got in that bus
2 out of 5 stars
Busiswa Samantha M.
It wasn’t a mainliner. It was bigsky. I wish I could be told that before booking.
2 out of 5 stars
Sinovuyo Babalwa N.
The drivers were friendly and dressed neatly also the lady where we checked in. The bus left on time and maintained a good speed although it seemed a little slower than usual and 30 minutes later than the expected time but I enjoyed the trip
The reviews highlight several positive aspects of the bus service, including friendly and professional drivers, comfortable seating with air conditioning and charging ports, clean buses, smooth rides on time departures. Passengers appreciated the easy online booking process and affordable tickets. However, some users mentioned delays in departure times and issues with malfunctioning air conditioning or confusing terminus experiences.
I enjoyed the old man. The driver. He's got a great sense of humour for all the passengers were laughing from his proper jokes. He is such a gem. He really made our experience wonderful 👍👍. His driving was perfect. He drives along normal required parameters and smoothly. Well done our driver. Arrived safely to our destination. Was even sleeping without fear in the bus . Very safe dude indeed..
5 out of 5 stars
Fezile Precious N.
I was very disappointed. Firstly the bus was dirty full of cockroaches, toilet was stinky the smell was bad, no charging pot in the bus, aircorn was not working and the bus was late. Intercity xpress don't respect their passengers at all
1 out of 5 stars
Tsepiso K.
Enjoyed that I was able to charge my phone when it about to run flat, just didn’t enjoy the sound that kept beeping in the bus from Joburg to Pmb- it was very annoying in the ears. It was on & off but when it does come on yooh it was a pain in the ears
Many users appreciated the timely service, cleanliness, and friendly drivers. The buses were generally comfortable with features like extra legroom and convenient luggage handling. However, some reviews mentioned issues such as non-functional air conditioning or lack of charging ports on certain trips. Despite these occasional inconveniences, many travelers expressed satisfaction with their overall experience.
Based on 21 reviews, Citiliner was rated 3.7 stars for this trip. Citiliner ticket prices on this trip start at $24, with the trip lasting on average 437.
Users have shared positive experiences, highlighting the comfort of the seating and cleanliness of the buses. They also appreciated friendly drivers and excellent service from conductors. However, there were mentions of arriving earlier than expected due to fast driving, which caused some inconvenience with pick-up arrangements.
Big Sky Johannesburg Pietermaritzburg recent customer reviews
The bathroom was smelling terrible & the charging ports were not working. this obviously has nothing to do with big-sky per-say but there were people drinking alcohol & making a noise throughout the whole night which was very unpleasant.
1 out of 5 stars
Minentle M.
I have traveled 5 times this year to jhb and this was the quickest , most cleanness, comfortable bus I have been on. The service from the conductors were excellent
5 out of 5 stars
Nicholette P.
It was nice to use big sky as public transport especially for long distance,, it was convinient for me
Based on 2690 reviews, the company was rated 2 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the cleanliness but often complained with the WiFi. APM WC ticket prices on this trip start at $31
I feel like I was scammed. Boarded outside Park Station and felt very unsafe. Bus was scheduled for 9pm,we left after 22h30. The "staff" or helpers were all visibly drunk. The "luxury" bus was actually not even close to that. An uncomfortable bus with upright seats for a long distance trip. Then halfway the driver's bank card declined when time came to pay for fuel, another delay!
Based on 115 reviews, the company was rated 2.6 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the power outlets but often complained with the WiFi. Big Tree ticket prices on this trip start at $39
Users generally appreciate the punctuality, cleanliness, and comfort of the bus service. Many reviews highlight friendly drivers and a smooth travel experience. However, there are consistent mentions of non-functional charging ports and occasional issues with toilet facilities or air conditioning. Despite these minor concerns, overall satisfaction remains high among travelers due to timely arrivals and courteous staff interactions.
The driver had the heater on and it was soo hot . I was not even winter . Joh and he refused to turn on cooler hair
1 out of 5 stars
Sinenhlanhla N.
The seats were comfortable and our driver was perfect 👌 although the charging point was not working.
4 out of 5 stars
Samukelisiwe H.
The bus arrived late for pick up and arrived earlier at the destination which messed up my whole transport arrangements when I got to PMB . There was also vibration I think from the wheels which made it difficult to rest the head on the headrest, otherwise the trip was fine
Based on 62 reviews, the company was rated 3.9 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the departure location and the ticket access but often complained with the WiFi. Luvalo Brothers Transport ticket prices on this trip start at $27
Based on 3837 reviews, the company was rated 1.7 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the seats but often complained with the WiFi. Delta Coaches ticket prices on this trip start at $27
Based on 5 reviews, the company was rated 1.6 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the staff and the departure location but often complained with the WiFi. Citilink ticket prices on this trip start at $24
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg by bus
What is the distance between Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg?
It's about 445 km (276 miles) from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg.
What are the departure and arrival locations for buses traveling from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
Buses departing from O. R Tambo Airport Johannesburg in Johannesburg will take you to Pietermaritzburg - Intercape Office, Burger Street (opposite McDonalds) in Pietermaritzburg.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
11-09
$28
11-10
$26
Today
$25
11-12
$24
11-13
$21
11-14
$24
11-15
$19
11-16
$20
The cheapest trip from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg was searched and found on Nov 15, 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 Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $19 to $81 for a bus ticket from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $19 which is on 2025-11-15.
Usually Big Sky 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.
The cheapest trip from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg was searched and found on Nov 15, 2025 with a price of $19
