Intercape Bus Tickets Bookings 2024/2025
The Intercape Bus is South Africa's largest intercity coach company which is privately owned, and has an extensive network of Southern African cities between which bus bookings can be made; which are serviced by its approximately 150 buses. It is known for its safety record, which has been enhanced through the implementation of its own speed limit of 95km/h throughout its route network, which is monitored 24 hours a day through a satellite tracking system. Buses are operated in SA, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia.
Book your Intercape bus ticket online right here!
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Booking an Intercape bus ticket
Call centre bookings: telephone bookings can also be made via their call centre on +27-21-380-4400 (also for WhatsApp)
Click here to see a full list of Intercape contact details (phone numbers, emails and addresses)
Intercape run regular specials for youth, families, frequent travellers Sanlam Reality members and more! Click here to find out how to take advantage of Intercape bus specials.
Website bookings: www.intercape.co.za is Intercape's website, from which online bus reservations can be made.
Email Intercape at info@intercape.co.za or care@intercape.co.za
For charters email charters@intercape.co.za
In Windhoek email whkbook@intercape.co.za
Here's a video showing you how easy it is to book a ticket online:
International booking numbers
Botswana |
Malawi |
Other International |
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+267 397 4294 |
+265 999 403398 |
+264 61 227 847 |
+27 21 380 4400 |
South Africa |
Zambia |
Zimbabwe |
Mozambique |
021 380 4400 |
+260 9775 48468 |
+263 7723 83902 (Harare) |
+258 823894919 |
Bank details
INTERKAAP FERREIRA BUSDIENS
Absa bank
Code 632005
Acc 4054603640
Bookings Online or In-store
Intercape bookings can be made on this website, any Pick 'n Pay store or alternatively at Shoprite/Checkers stores.
Payment methods
Payment may be made by deposit (EFT), via debit card or credit card. For payments via EFT, bus tickets are only ready once the payment is reflected in Intercape's bank account. Payment options are:
- Credit card:
- SNAPSCAN booking app on your phone provides an alternative method of paying using your credit card.
- 3D SECURE is a way of paying with your Credit Card and a One Time Pin (which is sent by SMS) You can only use 3D secure if you have asked your bank to activate 3D Secure on your credit card.
- EBUCKS and your credit card can be used to pay, also with a 1-time Pin sent via SMS.
- PAYFLEX Intercape to pay a quarter of the total bus ticket amount every 2 weeks (see more below).
- OZOW Internet Banking EFT payments from Absa Bank, Capitec Bank, First National Bank, Investec, Nedbank and Standard Bank.
- 1FORYOU: You can also pay for Intercape bus tickets using a 1 For You Voucher, which is available at FLASH, PEP, Shoprite/Checkers, Ackermans, and USAVE.
Booking reference are SMS'd to passengers once payment has been made, and electronic tickets are emailed to passengers; keep these available to show the bus conductor (together with your identification documents).
Use Payflex to pay in 4 instalments (interest-free)
Payflex offers a simple way to pay for Intercape bus tickets (Only available on Full FLexi and Flexi Pay Classes) with 4 interest-free payments. You make an initial payment of 25%, followed by three additional payments of 25% every 2 weeks. To use this option, you'll need a debit or credit card and your ID number. PAYFLEX is only available at Intercape offices and on the Intercape website.
You can use Payflex to book an Intercape bus ticket online. Start off at the usual Intercape online booking page ; fill in where you are travelling from and to, and the date you wish to travel on. Then select the Intercape bus or Big Sky Intercity bus (Intercape's sister company) that best meets your needs; ensuring that you select "Flexi" or "Full Flexi tickets" (PAYFLEX payments do not work on the "Saver" option). Click "Buy" and then select the PAYFLEX payment option:
Sales Offices & Stops
(Please note that not all stops are indicated on this list or in the map below)
Jeffrey's Bay |
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Bloemfontein |
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Johannesburg |
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Durban |
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Polokwane |
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Rustenburg |
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Vanrhynsdorp |
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Cape Town |
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Botswana |
Gaborone |
Malawi |
Blantyre |
Mozambique |
Maputo |
Namibia |
Keetmanshoop |
Zambia |
Livingstone
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Zimbabwe |
Bulawayo |
Meal Breaks
On the longer trips the bus does stop for a meal break. In order not to still be waiting for your food when the bus is leaving, make sure that the first thing you do when the bus stops is to order your food. Intercape itself, does not offer meals.
Marketing
Email marketing@intercape.co.za or media@intercape.co.za
Policies & Conditions of Carriage
Accompanied children travelling cross-border: Due to the high prevalence of cross-border child-trafficking, the Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) has issued a directive. All passengers crossing Beitbridge Border Post between South Africa and Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi (i.e. either travelling from South Africa to those countries, or from those countries to SA) with children under 18 years old, MUST HAVE documentation proving that they have legal guardianship or proof of consent by the legal guardian.
Alcohol & smoking: Intercape reserves the right to refuse passengers that are intoxicated due to alcohol consumption. The consumption of alcohol and/or smoking is also prohibited.
Luggage: When travelling with Intercape, each passenger is entitled to a free luggage allowance of two pieces of luggage, whose dimensions shall not exceed 80cmx60cmx30cm in size, and with a combined mass not exceeding 20kg. All passenger luggage exceeding this allowance will still be allowed on board but only after paying an additional fee.
Items falling under the following category of goods: firearms, hazardous/harmful chemicals, explosives or toxic substances will not be allowed on Intercape vehicles as passenger luggage.
Unaccompanied luggage on Intercape's cross-border services is allowed, but only under certain conditions.
Pets: ONLY trained guide dogs accompanying blind passengers are allowed on Intercape`s vehicles
Ticket cancellation & refunds: ONLY tickets booked under Intercape's Full Flexi and Flexi classes are entitled to a refund. Tickets booked in the Saver class can be swapped for travel vouchers (valid for 3 years from the date of issue of the voucher) which may be used when making a new Intercape bus booking.
Unaccompanied children:
Children under 12 years will not be allowed to travel alone on Intercape;
Children between 13 and 18 years will be allowed to travel alone on Intercape, provided that a prescribed Intercape indemnity form for unaccompanied minors has to be completed by the legal guardian or parent in respect of each unaccompanied child.
No unaccompanied children under 12 years will be allowed on cross-border routes.
Summary of terms and conditions
For traveling with Intercape:
- Documentation and Check-In:
- Ensure your travel documents and ticket details are accurate.
- Arrive 30 minutes before departure for domestic trips and 60 minutes for cross-border trips.
- Luggage Allowance:
- Saver bus Tickets: 2 pieces of luggage, each max 80cm x 60cm x 30cm, up to 15kg total.
- Flexi bus Tickets: 2 pieces of luggage, each max 80cm x 60cm x 30cm, up to 20kg total.
- Full Flexi bus Tickets: 2 pieces of luggage, each max 80cm x 60cm x 30cm, up to 25kg total.
- Cross-Border: 2 pieces of luggage, each max 80cm x 60cm x 30cm, up to 30kg total.
- Luggage is taken at your own risk.
- Bus ticket changes and Cancellations:
- Saver bus tickets: Cancel up to 48 hours before or change up to 15 minutes before with a 25% fee.
- Flexi bus tickets: Cancel up to 24 hours before or change up to 15 minutes before with a 15% fee.
- Full Flexi bus tickets: Cancel up to 24 hours before or change up to 15 minutes before with a 10% fee.
- Family and Special Needs:
- Children under 12 years old must be with a guardian over 18 years old.
- Unaccompanied minors aged 12-18 need a completed indemnity form.
- One child under 24 months may sit on a guardian’s lap.
- Pregnant women beyond 30 weeks cannot travel; those beyond 28 weeks need a medical certificate. All pregnant women travelling on Intercape need to complete the prescribed indemnity form.
- Inform Intercape of any special needs or medical conditions before traveling.
- Liability:
- Travel is at your own risk.
- Intercape is not liable for loss, damage, or injury related to transportation,including property damage or loss.
For full details, including additional rules and fees, refer to Intercape's complete Terms & Conditions. The EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY is important; also note that you may never hold SA Travel Online and related parties liable for anything.
History, News & Info.
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Aug 2024. Intercape are taking delivery of 10 double decker Sleepliner buses and 5 single deck buses.
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7 Feb 2024. Judge Motilal Rugunanan of the High Court (Eastern Cape) rules that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the South Africa Police Service have not met their duty to protect Intercape buses, passengers and drivers against an orchestrated campaign of violence by "perpetrators of crime". The perpetrators want to drive the Intercape out of business, so as to allow the monopolisation of the routes by taxi drivers. The reason the Hawks should be involved, is as the violence against Intercape is a form of organised crime/racketeering (as defined in the Prevention of Organised Crime Act). The Hawks/SAPS have been ordered to investigate each of the 165 cases Intercape has oprened, and provide a report to the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority), Intercape and the Court; setting out the steps they have taken in the investigation, with the report needing to be submitted by 6 Apr 2024. The Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KZN & North-West Provincial Commissioners have been instructed to report Intercape's cases opened in their areas to the National Head of the Hawks/Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation; and to file a report by 7 March 2024 regarding this to the Investigating Directorate.
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29 Aug 2023: The bus operator has introduced a new regional route, from Gaborone to OR Tambo International, stopping at Rustenburg, Pretoria, Midrand and Johannesburg. This offers great connectivity for Zimbabweans travelling from the airport to the rest of the country.
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July 2023. Intercape launches Big Sky Intercity bus trips.
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4 Oct 2022. Intercape completes its takeover of Bloemfontein-based Big Sky Coaches, a charter company, establishing the group as a leading charter coach tour operators. Click here to learn more about the takeover.
- 2022, second half of the year: In a follow up to the allgeations from the March and April 2022 meetings, it's alleged that Makalala starts a company called Makalala Trans, which operates long distance bus trips to areas Intercape has halted services as a result of the violence.
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25 Apr 2022. An Intercape driver, Bangikhaya Machana, is shot dead whilst on the way to load spassengers at a bus depot.
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Apr 2022. In a follow-up meeting from the 28 Mar 2022 meeting, Johann Ferreira, Intercape Chief Exec, meets up with Makalala again, where it is alleged that Makalala offers to lift the "restrictions" placed on them in return for an amount of money (at a later meeting at which Makalala was not present, Ferreira alleges that he is informed that the amount of money is R5m).
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28 Mar 2022. Intercity bus operators, including Intercape, attend a meeting in East London with various taxi associations: the Gauteng Taxi Association, UNCEDO, CODETA and CATA. Johann Ferreira, Chief Exec of Intercape, has sworn under oath that “at this meeting, the representatives of the long-distance bus operators were brazenly informed by the taxi representatives that the only way to resolve the issues between the parties (i.e. to stop the violence) was for the long-distance bus operators to agree to certain terms and conditions… [the] meeting was led by a man named Bonke Makalaia, who is affiliated with CATA”. It's alleged that Makalala wanted the intercity bus operators to collude with them by limiting the number of bus trips per day as well as inflating their bus prices and not stopping at Butterworth, Cofimvaba, Gcuwa , iDutywa, Nqamakwe, Ngcobo and Tsomo.
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23 Feb 2021. Since South Africa's land borders have re-opened, Intercape is happy to announce the resumption of Namibia from the 5th of March 2021.
- 18 Dec 2018. An Intercape bus driver is suspended after a video was shared on Facebook of him illegally overtaking two vehicles.
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Sep 2017. Intercape is fined $5000, after a passenger was caught by officials at the Beitbridge border post, smuggling Broncleer from South Africa to Zimbabwe. However, Intercape are not allowed to check customers luggage, so couldn't pick it up themselves.
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3 August 2017. Intercape relaunches its Cape Town to Harare bus service.
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12 May 2017. Amidst strike action within the bus industry, Intercape confirmed that they are not affected by the national trade union strike, and it's business as usual.
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10 May 2016: Continuing the streak of bad press, Intercape has once again come under fire after passengers were left furious. The bus from Johannesburg to East London had already departed an hour later than scheduled, leaving at 18h30 rather than 17h30, only to turn around once it reached Denver for a late passenger. According to passengers the bus driver received instructions to turn arround and collect a late passenger. Furious passengers weren't given explanations and were treated even worse when they tried to lay complaints at the company's call centre. In response Intercape released an apology stating that employees involved in this would be disciplined. We can only hope that the bus turns around for us if we should ever be late (Spoiler - it wont!).
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14 February 2017. Intercape teams up with the Old Mutual Heath Streak Academy Trust, as its official travel sponsor.
- 14 April 2016: Intercape has been receiving a lot of bad press recently. After police made a nearly R5 million worth of illegal abalone bust on one of their coaches last week, another bus was pulled over and passengers left stranded after it became apparant that the driver wasn't in posession of the correct permit. Passengers were left stranded near Harrismith for over three hours, despite the fact that Intercape were reportedly sending a back-up. It did however become apparant that the inconvenience was due to no fault on Intercape's side. The coach company had made a timeous application for the renewal of the permit, but processing was delayed at the Department of Transport. The law states that as long as they had applied before the old permit expired, it would be accepted along with proof of application in the form of a receipt. The confusion was cleared up after which the bus continued on its route.
- 2 October 2015: Intercape has adopted a new fleet management system, MiX Telematics, that helps improve operational efficiency and encourage positive driver behaviour. This system will give alerts for things such as harsh breaking and speeding. It will also assist in managing rest periods for drivers. The visual and audio alerts from Mobileye helps drivers make decisions with advanced vehicle, lane and pedestrian detection technologies to measure the distance to other vehicles, lane markings and pedestrians.
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16 September 2015: Yesterday evening a double-decker intercape bus was set on fire when someone threw three petrol bombs at it. The bus, filled with long-distance travellers, burned out. Sadly two passengers were trapped inside and passed away. 36 passengers, among them 2 children, were injured although most suffered small injuries that were treated at the scene. The police have opened a murder case as well as an attempt to murder. The motive is not yet clear, although the road where it happened (N2 Strand) frequently sees protest action. Intercape bus drivers have been on strike since August, but as they are nearing an agreement it does not appear to be related. InterCape buses are ongoing.
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2015. Intercape starts using the fleet tracking services of MIX Telematics.
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6 Apr 2013. In the first such attack in over a decade in Mozambique, a truck which was carrying fuel to Maputo, and an Intercape bus on its way from Maputo to Beira are attacked by men in Renamo uniforms with AK47s, in Sofala, Mozambique, killing 2 civilians in the truck. "They attacked 2 vehicles - a bus and a truck... there were two deaths in the truck and two civilian women injured in the bus. Two women were injured on the bus. They are in hospital in Muxungwe. We don't know why they are stopping civilian vehicles. The population are fleeing their homes and fields. The whole district is living in fear" said a town administrator, Arnaldo Machohe. Ossufo Momad, of Renamo said that "Renamo distances itself from this attack. During the civil war we had identical situations where Frelimo used our uniforms and blamed us for attacks on civilians. After 20 years of peace why would we want to do this?"
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25 Mar 2013. Intercape introduces 3 weekly trips from Windhoek to Ondangwa, Oshakati & Oshikango; leaving in the early evening on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. Intercape's Namibia manager, Nezar Uys, says that "There is strong demand for a safe, dependable and affordable service between Windhoek and northern Namibia. We believe we have the right combination of product and service to meet this demand. Our coaches are the best available internationally, and our 25-year history and track record of safety and service speaks for itself.”
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2010. Intercape begins operations in Malawi; employing some of the staff of the liquidated state-owned busline, Shire Bus Lines.
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15 Dec 2008. Intercape's attorneys write a letter to the authorities arguing that Road Link Passenger Services (Pty) Ltd are illegally transporting passengers between Cape Town and Pretoria via Upington, as their operating licence was suspended by the Transport Appeal Board on 7 Jul 2008.
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31 Aug 2008. An Intercape bus overturns on the N2 outside Caledon, on the way from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. Seven of the 44 passengers are slightly injured.
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Apr 2008. Two Nigerians are arrested in Port Elizabeth after attempting to transport stolen goods (televisions, laptops and playstations) on an Intercape bus. The goods were purchased using a stolen Standard Bank Debit Card.
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Johan Ferreira Junior, the son of the founder, purchases 100 percent of the shares of Intercape from the family trust.
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1999. After winning a court case with SA Railways, Intercape secures the transportation rights to the Durban route.
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1988. Intercape is the first to import new double-decker Neoplan coaches.
- 1986. Intercape begins offering bus trips between PE (now Gqeberha) and Cape Town.
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1979. The Intercape bus service is established by Johan Ferreira, the second bus company he has started, with operations from Cape Town.
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1971 Johan Ferreira start a bus service with a single bus, calling the entity "Central Bus Service", over time changing its name to "Windhoek Bus Service".
Types of buses
Intercape's buses range from the premier Sleepliner class coaches to Mainliner, Budgetliner, Inter-connect and luxury charters. To maintain a young fleet, they put their older coaches up for sale.
Sleepliner
Sleepliner is the premier luxury branded coach trips offered by Intercape, with the idea being that you are so comfortable that you can sleep all the way; in their "sleeper seats". The sleeper seats provide additional leg area, can recline by 150 degrees (so not quite flat, which would require 180 degrees), have padded foam and a USB charging point.Here's a review of a Sleepliner trip from Pretoria to Beville, via Bloemfontein:
Here's a review of an Intercape Sleepliner trip from Windhoek to Cape Town via Rheboth, Keetmanshoop and Vredendal (a great tip they provided is to pack warm clothes and a duvet, as the bus can get cold):
When travelling overnight you'll sleep a lot and so do not take the overnight ride if you want to take in the scenery. We recommend taking something like a book or crocheting if that's your vibe, to keep yourself occupied.
Mainliner
Intercape Mainliner buses form the largest part of their fleet. They have toilets on board, offer an air-conditioned trip, USB charging points and a comfortable reclining seat (but not as comfortable at the Sleeper seats).
A picture tells a 1000 words - check out this video review of an East London to Cape Town trip on the Mainliner:
Here's a video review of an Intercape Mainliner trip from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg:
Budgetliner
Keep costs down by travelling on an Intercape Budgetliner, a semi-luxurious coach trip, offering reclining seats with seat belts, reading lights and USB charging points. Here's a review of an Intercape Budgetliner trip from Cape Town to Pretoria.
@thebusspotterkwakhanya9930 shares details of his first trip on an Intercape Budgetliner, the route being from Johannesburg to Butterworth (former Transkei) in the Eastern Cape, via Bloemfontein. The friendly driver allows him to sit up front on the jumper seat, where they chat about buses and trucks, and we get a bit of a feel of life as an intercity bus driver:
Inter-Connect
Intercape Inter-Connect buses are Toyota Coasters; which are smaller than the Sleepliners, Mainliners and Budgetliners; but bigger than mini-bus taxis. Inter-Connect buses are available on the following routes:
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Cape Town to Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester, and onward to George.
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Cape Town to Cape Town Airport, Somerset West, Botriver, Swellendam and onward to George.
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Bloemfontein to Middelburg, Witbank, Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Johannesburg, Kroonstad, Welkom, Theunissen, Brandfort and onward to Nelspruit.
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Durban to Richards Bay, Stanger, Empangenic, Hluhluwe and onward to Maputo.
The Budgetliners have USB charging points.
Here's a Youtube video review of an Intercape Inter-Connect bus trip:
Tourliner
Intercape's Tourliner division provides a charter bus hire service to all groups . Tourliner's fleet of buses varies from 28-seater to 60-seater coaches. All Groups are supported.
Big Sky Coaches
Like Intercape Tourliner, Big Sky Coaches offers a charter tour bus service to groups such as companies (e.g. teams wanting to go on a trip), travel agencies, churches, schools and tertiary institutions.
Big Sky Intercity
Whilst the Big Sky Intercity bus service does not use the Intercape brand name, it is nevertheless owned by Intercape. Click here to learn more about Big Sky Intercity.
Note: This is not the official Intercape Site. Email info@intercape.co.za for ticket price queries
Intercape Freightliner
Phone 021-380-4455 or email freightliner@intercape.co.za
Visit Intercape Freightliner offices at the corner of Morris Close & Montreal Dr , Airport Industrial, Cape Town, Western Cape, SA.
Parcel delivery service
Intercape offer a parcel delivery service from office-to-office in SA. Email logistics@intercape.co.za