If I’m travelling between borders, what documents do I need to have with me?

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.

Are there any conditions associated with my luggage?

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.

Are food and drink offered on the bus during the ride?

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.

What classes are available with the Intercape buses?

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.

When should I arrive at the station?

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.

Does Busbud allow me to travel with children across borders?

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.

Am I allowed to choose where I would like to sit?

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.

What can I do if I happen to miss my bus?

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.

How can I pay for the bus tickets in South Africa?

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!

Book Official Intercape Bus Tickets

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 27m	Minimum price$25
The Edward Hotel (Durban) → Johannesburg Park Station	First and last departures6:45am — 10:30pm	Average duration10h 27m	Minimum price$25
Johannesburg → Durban	First and last departures7:30am — 11:00pm	Average duration10h 7m	Minimum price$22
Johannesburg Park Station → The Edward Hotel (Durban)	First and last departures7:30am — 11:00pm	Average duration10h 7m	Minimum price$22
Durban → Pretoria	First and last departures6:45am — 10:30pm	Average duration11h 43m	Minimum price$25

Official Partner

Contact Intercape

Intercape's Coverage in Numbers

Daily Departures7128
Cities252
Countries5
Routes8411

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

3.5/540,206 reviews

Staff4.3

Timeliness3.2

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi1.2

Intercape is praised for its punctuality and professional staff, with comfortable seating providing ample legroom. However, several reviews mention issues such as delayed departures, technical faults requiring bus changes, unpleasant odors from the toilets, inadequate heating or air conditioning on some trips, and cleanliness concerns regarding seats and windows.

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.

January 14, 2025

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.

January 4, 2025

I did not enjoy the trip due to long stops. People had to be called and the bus would wait for more that 45 minutes. Which caused a huge delay.

Nyiko Lisbeth M.

June 5, 2025

Nothing to complain about, everything was ok

Faith F.

June 5, 2025

The trip was nice and comfortable. Punctuality was on point. The only thing that was not nice was how hot the bus was. Aircon was not switched on frequently enough to cool us down. Other than that, all was well

Tshediso B.

June 5, 2025

Everything was perfect except that my seat couldn’t recline, whereas the person seated in front of me’s seat reclined making it uncomfortable.

Okuhle D.

June 5, 2025

Intercape FAQ

If I’m travelling between borders, what documents do I need to have with me?
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.
Are there any conditions associated with my luggage?
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.
Are food and drink offered on the bus during the ride?
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.
What classes are available with the Intercape buses?
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.
When should I arrive at the station?
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.
Does Busbud allow me to travel with children across borders?
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.
Am I allowed to choose where I would like to sit?
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.
What can I do if I happen to miss my bus?
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.
How can I pay for the bus tickets in South Africa?
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.

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Popular Routes, Destinations and Stations

Top Bus Lines

Curious about Intercape's busiest routes? Here's where most of our passengers are heading!

Top Destinations

From big cities to hidden gems, these are the places Intercape can take you on your next adventure!

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.

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!