Don't get confused between the American Greyhound operating coach services accross the North of America and our local South African Greyhound coaches. The local version used to offer domestic services as well as routes to Mozambique and Zimbabwe. They shut down in Feb 2021 and have since been acquired by Eldo Coaches, who hopes to resume Greyhound operations soon. In the meanwhile, Intercape is a good alternative full-service coach company to make use of in their absence.
Book your Greyhound bus ticket online right here!
The local coach company is back with 70 busses and some new routes! They will resume services on 13 April 2022. They are launching with the following routes: Johannesburg - Pretoria/ Polokwane, Johannesburg - Mosselbay (via Bloemfontein), Johannesburg - Mthatha (via Pietermaritzburg or Matatiele), Johannesburg - Pretoria - Komatipoort, Johannesburg - Phalaborwa, Johannesburg - Gqeberha (via Craddock). More routes will be added in due time.
Just over a year after ceasing all operations, Greyhound has finally been acquired by another private company. Operations seem likely to resume soon.
After 37 years in the industry, Greyhound sadly announced on the 3rd of February 2021 that they will cease services on the 14th of February 2021. Their budget-friendly alternative, Citiliner, will also cease services on the 14th of February 2021.
The group did not comment on the exact reason for bringing an end to their service. It seems likely that financial stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns played a roll. Busses were only allowed to resume operations in June 2020 when Lockdown Level 3 allowed inter-provincial business travel, with leisure travel only allowed in August 2020.
Greyhound confirmed that any Greyhound or Citiliner ticket holders for travel after 14 February 2021 will be refunded in full.
17 April 2018: The South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBC) will embark on a nationwide strike on Wednesday, 18 April 2018. Greyhound, along with MyCiti and Golden Arrow, have confirmed that they have suspended all operations for the 18th of April 2018. It is likely that other bus companies will have to follow suit to protect their staff, passengers and property. This strike will affect both local and long distance routes and could leave thousands stranded. All affected passengers are encouraged to check the status of their bus with the relevant bus company.
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19 June 2017: Greyhound plans to revolutionise bus travel with their latest innovation, the Dreamliner. Having finally passed all the tests, you'll soon find this super comfortable bus on SA's roads.
Boasting seats that can recline a full 150 degrees, USB ports under each chair , charging pods for electronic devices and complimentary newspapers and refreshments. This will be the longes double decker bus on SA roads, at a full 14,5 meters, and has top-of-the-line safety features like emergency brake assist and lane assist. The bus will also have onboard attendants to assist passengers.
They haven't clarified on which routes they will introduce the latest buses, but we have a feeling that it will certainly encourage more passengers to take the scenic route!
Booking a Greyhound Bus ticket
Website bookings: bookings made via their website (www.greyhound.co.za) normally have a discount.
Call centre bookings: their 24 hour call centre is available on 011 611 8000 or 083 915 9000
Email Greyhound at enquiries@greyhound.co.za
You can pay for your Greyhound trip using an Edgars Thank U Account card. Simply phone 011 611 8000. Other travel options which can be paid for using an Edgars Account are Mango Airlines flights and Citiliner bus trips.
Children: Children between the ages of 2 & 11 years travelling with Greyhound get a 15% discount off the adult fare. Children below the age of 2 years, on condition that they are not occupying a seat, travel free. If a fare paying adult is travelling with two or more children below the age of 2 years, then the second as well as all successive children will have to pay (instead of travelling free, they get the 15% children's discount).
10% SANDF\SAPS: All SANDF\SAPS staff travelling with Greyhound, on condition that they produce a valid force card, qualify for a 10% discount off the normal fare.
5% Senior Citizens Discounts: Senior citizens get a 5% discount off the normal fare upon presenting a pensioner's card or ID book.
5% Student Discounts: Varsity students can get a 5% discount off the normal fare if they produce a valid student card when purchasing their ticket.
Greyhound has sales offices for booking bus tickets in Johannesburg, Midrand, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, East London, Nelspruit, Harare, Port Elizabeth, Kroonstad, Maputo and Montrose.
Windmill Park |
Tel: (043) 743 9284 |
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Simpson Building |
Tel: (041) 363 4555 |
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71 Madeira street |
Tel: (047) 531-0603 |
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Tourist Centre |
Tel: (051) 447 1558 |
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Shell Ultra City |
Tel: 056 212 5527 |
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Park City Transit Centre |
Fax: (011) 276 8550 |
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Cnr Polly & Church street |
Tel: (011) 336 9184 |
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Caltex Star Shop |
Tel: (011) 315 1458 |
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1928 Building |
Tel: (012) 323 1154 |
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Motor Coach Terminal |
Tel: 031 334 9702/09 |
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267 Burger Street |
Tel: 033 345 3175 |
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no bus stops |
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Old Mutual Place |
Tel: (013) 753 2100 |
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no bus stops |
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Tickets for Africa |
Tel: (053) 832 6040 |
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1 Adderley Street |
Tel: 083 915 9000 or |
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Zimbabwe |
Blue Arrow Reservations |
Tel: (002639) 889078 |
Road Port |
Tel: (002634) 732 080 |
There are regular stops along the route where you can order food, and you are allowed to take them on board. You can also purchase food & drinks on board the bus. Note that you're not allowed to drink beer or other alcoholic drinks.
Accompanied children travelling cross-border: In an effort to prevent /curb cross-border child trafficking, the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa has set a new requirement. All passengers crossing Beitbridge Border Post enroute to Zimbabwe (i.e. either travelling to, or from Zimbabwe) with children under 18 years old, to have documentation certifying that they have legal guardianship. This documentation should be obtained before crossing the border.
Alcohol & smoking: Consumption of alcohol as well as smoking is not permitted on all Greyhound coaches.
Luggage: The luggage allowance on Greyhound buses is two suitcases whose total weight should not exceed 30kg and each suitcase should have the following dimensions: 80cmx60cmx30cm. Any luggage weighing more than the free allowance will be charged at the applicable rate.
They do not accept unaccompanied luggage. Firearms, hazardous/harmful chemicals, explosives or toxic substances are not accepted on all Greyhound coaches.
Pets: No pets are permitted on any of their buses save for guide dogs, for which prior notification has to be given before date of departure.
Ticket cancellation & refunds: Greyhound bus tickets may be cancelled subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Alternatively, passengers may opt to be rebooked on the next available service on that very same route, with no fee being levied. If, however, there is a price increase the passenger will be expected to pay the difference.
Unaccompanied children: Only children that are 12-years and older are accepted to travel unaccompanied. Proof of identification will be required both on purchase of the ticket as well as boarding.
Greyhound bus is part of the "Unitrans Passenger" operating division of Unitrans Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of KAP International Holdings – which as of 2012 owns the industrial assets of the Steinhoff Africa group . Greyhound is a member of SABOA (Southern African Bus Operators Association).
2006 |
The Star newspaper's readers vote for the Greyhound bus as being their favourite bus company. |
2005 |
Greyhound Coach Lines celebrated 21 years of intercity long distance transport. |
1993 |
United Transport Company, now renamed as Unitrans Limited and listed on the JSE, reacquires Greyhound Coach Lines from the Tollgate Group. |
1987 |
United Transport Company disposes of its passenger operations to Tollgate Holdings. |
1962 |
UK based United Transport Company is incorporated in South Africa and Greyhound Bus Lines, which operated a fleet of buses is one of their first acquisitions. |