Intercape receives praise for its clean buses, friendly and efficient staff, punctuality, and overall comfortable travel experience. Passengers appreciate the helpfulness of drivers towards those needing assistance. However, some reviews mention minor inconveniences such as bus changes causing confusion or discomfort due to air conditioning settings during stopovers.
The driver is rude. Please call him to order to enhance client experience and relations.
1 out of 5 stars
Sithobile S.
I maybe particular, the driver's music but it was the taste of his age.He had no variety to accommodate. Otherwise the trip was superb 👌
5 out of 5 stars
Cynthia M.
I actually had a good experience with Intercape Mainliner Express. The bus was clean, the seats were comfortable, and the trip felt safe throughout. The staff was friendly, and I liked that they take safety seriously. I didn’t have many complaints.
Passengers have praised the bus service for its comfortable seating, cleanliness, and punctuality. The ability to charge devices during long trips was appreciated by many users. Additionally, drivers were often described as friendly and professional. However, some reviews mentioned issues with air conditioning being too cold or not working properly at times.
I booked a bus ticket for 6:30 am, and there was no bus until 9 am. I left at park station at 9 am, and I got home late with a heavy storm. My things got wet, because I was also carrying a bag. I’m very disappointed with the disrespect that the company showed to its customers. I booked the earliest because I know the weather of where I was going, Pietermaritzberg weather after 2 pm, changes and rains heavily.
1 out of 5 stars
Londeka M.
a very reliable and safe transport. the bus was on time and driver was very courteous on the road. nice sound system and the bus was very clean with a functioning toilet..
only thing i didn’t like, the charging port wasn’t available where i was sitting
5 out of 5 stars
Ncebakazi S.
I just didn't travel with the bus I booked,there were no charging places,park station stuff did us dirty
Many users appreciated the punctuality, friendly drivers, and overall comfort of their bus journeys. The cleanliness and safety were also highlighted positively. However, some reviews mentioned concerns about non-functioning air conditioning or lack thereof, absence of charging ports on buses, occasional delays in departure times as well as issues with booking services that could be improved for a better experience.
The bus arrrived 1 hour late and it was broken on th way, we had to wait for hours before another one arrived. It was a mass
1 out of 5 stars
Nomapelo N.
The experience was absolutely horrible. The bus wasnt spacious. The driver was not on time and even worse didn’t know the directions most of the trip, passengers were truly angry.
2 out of 5 stars
Siyathemba M.
I didn't enjoy the journey because the drivers are very rude, they gave me a very poor service I'm not happy at all
Based on 22 reviews, Citiliner was rated 3.6 stars for this trip. Citiliner ticket prices on this trip start at $17, with the trip lasting on average 439.
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 2876 reviews, the company was rated 2.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers 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 $22
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 63 reviews, the company was rated 3.9 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the departure location but often complained with the wifi. Luvalo Brothers Transport ticket prices on this trip start at $19
Customers have shared positive experiences with Citiliner and Greyhound, highlighting punctuality, comfortable seating, cleanliness, and friendly drivers. However, some users noted issues such as non-functional charging ports and occasional unpleasant odors on the bus. Despite these minor concerns, many travelers appreciated the overall quality of service provided by both companies.
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 117 reviews, the company was rated 2.6 stars on Busbud. Travelers 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 $27
Based on 3976 reviews, the company was rated 1.7 stars on Busbud. Travelers 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 $19
Based on 5 reviews, the company was rated 1.6 stars on Busbud. Travelers 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 traveling from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg by bus
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
The cheapest bus tickets from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg start from $16. The average price for this route is around $33. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
The average bus trip duration from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg is 6h 35m, covering a distance of 275 miles (444 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 2h 15m and is operated by Eagle Liner.
Which bus companies service the Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg route?
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
The earliest bus departs from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg at 5:40am. And the latest bus departs at 11:00pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
A bus trip from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg generates an estimated 11 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Luvalo Brothers Transport, with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 63 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Luvalo Brothers Transport has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 2.1.
Which bus company has the most timely service from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is Luvalo Brothers Transport, with a punctuality rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Citiliner, with a cleanliness rating of 4.2 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
12/20
$27
12/21
$26
Today
$20
12/23
$26
12/24
$22
12/25
$21
12/26
$16
12/27
$15
The cheapest trip from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg was searched and found on Dec 27, 2025 with a price of $15
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 $15 to $97 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 $15 which is on 2025-12-27.
Usually Intercape, APM WC 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.