Is there a way to reach Durban from Cape Town without flying?

The bus is the best choice to get to Durban without flying. Traveling by bus offers a budget-friendly, secure, and easy way to go between the two cities. Taking a ride with other travelers through carpool services is an additional option to consider.

How long does it take to get to Durban from Cape Town by bus?

The travel time from Cape Town to Durban is about 1d 2h, although the minimum time it takes to get there is 22h 20m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 790 miles (1274 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Cape Town and Durban?

About 790 miles (1274 km) separate Cape Town and Durban.

What is the most cost-effective way to go from Cape Town to Durban?

Go for the bus if you want the most affordable way to travel this route. $35 is the starting point for the cost-effective bus ride to Durban from Cape Town.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Cape Town to Durban?

The average price of a one-way ticket from Cape Town to Durban is $50. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $35 and $108, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

What are the best sights and things to do in Durban?

Once in Durban, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Durban Botanic Gardens, Wilson’s Wharf, Surfing, The Golden Mile & Beaches and Campbell Collections.

Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Cape Town to Durban?

Yes, you can take a night bus to go from Cape Town to Durban. Don't forget to bring a snack and a blanket to help you stay comfortable through the night.

Cape Town to Durban Bus Tickets

Q: What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Cape Town to Durban?

If you're headed to Durban from Cape Town, chances are that your bus will leave from Bellville - 8 Mabel St. And arrive at Durban Beach - Intercape Office, o. R Tambo Parade (Opposite Tropicana Hotel). These are the main pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you can also find other options that could better fit your plans.

TodayMay 8

from $36

TomorrowMay 9

from $39

SatMay 10

from $39

SunMay 11

from $39

MonMay 12

from $39

TueMay 13

from $39

WedMay 14

from $39

ThuMay 15

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 9 at 6:00pm
Departure city: Cape Town
Departure location: Cape Town Bus Station - 1 Old Marine Drive
Arrival time: May 10 at 8:25pm
Destination city: Durban
Destination location: Durban Station (Coach terminus)
Operated by: Intercity Xpress
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 2h
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 9 at 6:40pm
Departure city: Cape Town
Departure location: Bellville - 8 Mabel St.
Arrival time: May 10 at 8:25pm
Destination city: Durban
Destination location: Durban Station (Coach terminus)
Operated by: Intercity Xpress
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 1h
Departure time: May 9 at 6:35am
Departure city: Cape Town
Departure location: Bellville - Intercape Office, 8 Mabel Street (turnoff from Durban Road)
Arrival time: May 10 at 10:25am
Destination city: Durban
Destination location: Durban - Intercape office, 65 Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (Durban Station)
Operated by: Big Sky
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 3h
Departure time: May 9 at 8:10am
Departure city: Cape Town
Departure location: Bellville - Intercape Office, 8 Mabel Street (turnoff from Durban Road)
Arrival time: May 10 at 10:55am
Destination city: Durban
Destination location: Durban - Intercape office, 65 Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (Durban Station)
Operated by: Intercape Mainliner
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 2h
Departure time: May 9 at 6:40pm
Departure city: Cape Town
Departure location: Bellville - 8 Mabel St.
Arrival time: May 10 at 8:25pm
Destination city: Durban
Destination location: Durban Station (Coach terminus)
Operated by: Intercity Xpress
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 1h

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Cape Town to Durban.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$35 - $108	Average Duration1d 2h	CO₂ emissions 31kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Shuttle	Average Price$99 - $118	Average Duration1d	CO₂ emissions 39kg CO₂e4 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Cape Town to Durban

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Durban. The journey takes about 1 day, 2 hours 45 minutes and with fares starting at just $35, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

22bus per day

1d 2hAverage Duration

$35Cheapest ticket

31kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Cape Town to Durban: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$50

Average bus trip duration1d 2h

Number of daily buses22

Earliest bus departure6:00am

Distance777 miles (1253 km)

Latest bus departure7:15pm

Compare bus companies

Intercape

3.5/539,619 reviews

Staff4.3

Timeliness3.2

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi1.2

Passengers generally appreciate the comfortable journey and friendly staff, highlighting a clean environment and professional service. However, some users noted issues with non-functional charging ports, air conditioning being too cold or not adjusted properly for warmth when needed. Additionally, there were mentions of occasional delays in bus arrival times at destinations.

Intercape Mainliner Express Cape Town Durban recent customer reviews

The trip hours was very long more than was estimated on my ticket.There was no bin bag in all chair seats and no water to flash toilet

Nokuthula M.

April 5, 2025

The drivers were really slow. The drip lasted for 36 hours when it was supposed to be 28💔

Thembalethu N.

April 3, 2025

It was my first time traveling on a bus for long distance, I enjoyed how comfortable the bus was with the friendly drivers also on board. What I didn't like is that the bus arrived an hour late at the destination.

Nkanyiso M.

March 27, 2025

Big Sky

3.5/52,142 reviews

Staff4.4

Timeliness3.3

Cleanliness4.3

Wifi1.6

Many users have praised the drivers for being kind, communicative, and professional. They appreciated clear announcements during stops and enjoyed a comfortable journey with beautiful music. However, some reviews mentioned issues such as non-functional radio and TV systems. Additionally, there were concerns about timekeeping despite an accident occurring without fatalities but resulting in injuries.

Big Sky Cape Town Durban recent customer reviews

Most of the things was perfect, but what I DON'T LIKE IS the delays that led us to arrive at 13h30 instead of 10h30

Thuthukani N.

September 27, 2024

Very disappointed bus broke we waited for 2 hours waiting for someone to come and fix it

Busisiwe K.

September 23, 2024

Good ...they don't keep time although we were involved in an accident..likely nobody died only injuries ..They must learn to keep time

Nonkululeko M.

September 15, 2024

Intercity Xpress

3/58,922 reviews

Staff3.9

Timeliness2.5

Cleanliness3.7

Wifi1

Passengers have shared mixed experiences with the bus service. Positive feedback highlights professional and helpful drivers, as well as clean facilities during some journeys. However, there are concerns about non-functional toilets on certain trips and inconsistent timing that caused delays. Additionally, issues such as loud music at night were mentioned by travelers seeking a more restful experience.

Intercity Xpress Cape Town Durban recent customer reviews

The drive was paying the music load in the middle of the night. And when I tell him to switch it off he he said he can't coz he will fall sleep 😭. There bus It was 998. I regret why I booked intecity it was my first time using it and I don't think I will book it again.

Phumla C.

April 23, 2025

Firstly the drivers were helpful and secondly the bus toilet facility was not working, however the drivers stoped more often for toilet stops.

Anisha G.

April 22, 2025

the bus took forever to reach it destination. We literally travelled 29 hours and was with a 7 year old child. I really had a terrible beyond terrible experience.

Siphokazi M.

March 29, 2025

APM WC

2/51,786 reviews

Staff2.5

Timeliness0.9

Cleanliness2.5

Wifi0.4

City to City

ZA bus companies: Intercape, Big Sky, Intercity Xpress, Greyhound South Africa, Eagle Liner, APM WC, Delta Coaches

Cape Town to Durban Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Cape Town to Durban.

Bus service from Cape Town to Durban will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

Discover how much the bus trip from Cape Town to Durban will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Where are the popular stops in Cape Town and Durban?

Stops in Cape Town

A - Bellville - 8 Mabel St.

B - Bus Station - Old Marine Drive

C - Bus Station - Civic Centre

D - Bellville - Sasol Oaks Service Station

E - Bellville

F - Civic Centre

Stops in Durban

A - Durban Beach - Intercape Office, o.r Tambo Parade (Opposite Tropicana Hotel)

B - Durban Station

C - Durban Airport

D - Jacobs

E - Airport (DBN)

Frequently asked questions for your trip Cape Town - Durban

Is there a way to reach Durban from Cape Town without flying?
How long does it take to get to Durban from Cape Town by bus?
What is the distance between Cape Town and Durban?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Cape Town to Durban?
What is the most cost-effective way to go from Cape Town to Durban?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Cape Town to Durban?
What are the best sights and things to do in Durban?
Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Cape Town to Durban?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

05/06

$42

05/07

$37

Today

$36

05/09

$39

05/10

$39

05/11

$39

05/12

$39

05/13

$39

The cheapest trip from Cape Town to Durban was searched and found on May 8, 2025 with a price of $36

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 Durban, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $36 to $53 for a bus ticket from Cape Town to Durban based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $39 which is on 2025-05-13.

Usually MAINLINER 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.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Cape Town to Durban but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Cape Town to Durban, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Cape Town to Durban will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from Cape Town to Durban while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

Will you be returning to Cape Town by bus?

Bus from Cape Town to Durban

Top traveled bus routes

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The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

One passenger / one way

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 2 ways to go from Cape Town to Durban.

Bus Cape Town to Durban: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Cape Town to Durban Bus

Where are the popular stops in Cape Town and Durban?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Cape Town - Durban

Is there a way to reach Durban from Cape Town without flying?

How long does it take to get to Durban from Cape Town by bus?

What is the distance between Cape Town and Durban?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Cape Town to Durban?

What is the most cost-effective way to go from Cape Town to Durban?

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Cape Town to Durban?

What are the best sights and things to do in Durban?

Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Cape Town to Durban?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Cape Town by bus?

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

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