How much is the Intercape bus from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Cape?

Bus ticket prices have ranged from R340 to R1,950 this year. Currently, the cheapest available one-way ticket is R500.

How long is the bus ride from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Cape?

The average journey by bus takes approximately 12 hours and 26 minutes.

Do pensioners get a discount on Intercape buses?

Yes, senior citizens (60 years and older) qualify for a 15% discount on Intercape Flexi and Full Flexi tickets. Note that Saver tickets do not qualify for this discount.

Intercape Bus Tickets from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Cape

From:

To:

Travel Date:

Ask for Help!

Intercape offers bus tickets from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Cape, with 1-way prices having ranged from R340 to R1,950 during 2026:

The current cheapest one-way Intercape bus ticket from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Cape is R500 in Saver class on a Budgetliner coach; taking Budgetliner BCA-ALICE-EL scheduled to depart Cape Town at 18:30 on Sun 10 May 2026 and scheduled to arrive in Port Elizabeth Cape at 06:15 on Mon 11 May 2026 (duration of 11 hours 45 minutes).
- For pensioners (60 and older), the current cheapest one-way ticket is R476 in Flexi class (with a 15% discount applied); taking Budgetliner BCA-ALICE-EL departing Cape Town at 18:30 on Sun 10 May 2026 and arriving in Port Elizabeth Cape at 06:15 on Mon 11 May 2026 (duration of 11 hours 45 minutes).
Average one-way ticket prices are Saver: R515, Flexi: R576, Full Flexi: R656. Lower Flexi and Full Flexi fares may be achieved if any discounts are applicable.
- For pensioners the average 1-way prices are: Saver: R515, Flexi: R490, Full Flexi: R558.

The journey takes on average 12 hours and 26 minutes.

7-Day Fare Heatmap: Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Cape

Select a date block below to view the full schedule for that day. Green indicates the lowest fare.

Sun 10 May R500 Mon 11 May R500 Tue 12 May R540 Wed 13 May R500

Thu 14 May N/A

Fri 15 May N/A

Sat 16 May N/A

Intercape Ticket Classes Explained: Saver vs Flexi vs Full Flexi

Understand the exact differences in allowances, amendment fees, and cancellation policies before making your booking.

Feature	Saver	Flexi	Full Flexi
Price Level	Cheapest	Standard	Premium
Luggage Allowance	15 kg (2 pieces max)	20 kg (2 pieces max)	25 kg (2 pieces max)
Seat Reservations	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Qualifies for Discounts? (e.g. Pensioner, Student)	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Ticket Amendment Fee (Changes up to 15 min before departure)	25% Fee	15% Fee	10% Fee
Cancellation Policy	75% refund (Must cancel 48h before)	85% refund (Must cancel 24h before)	90% refund (Must cancel 12h before)

Intercape Prices & Schedule from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Cape

Prices last checked and verified on: 2026-05-02 10:27:17

All prices in South African Rand (ZAR).

Route	Coach Type	Depart (CAPE TOWN - Unit 2 Intercape Office, Old Marine Drive (Cape Town Station))	Arrive (PORT ELIZABETH CAPE - Intercape office, 336 Cape Road, Newton park 6055(Next to Nandos))	Full Flexi (ZAR)	Flexi (ZAR)	Saver (ZAR)
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-PE-DBN	Big Sky Intercity	Sun 10 May 2026 06:00am	Sun 10 May 2026 7:40pm	740	660	600
Mainliner DCA-PE-DBN	Mainliner	Sun 10 May 2026 07:30am	Sun 10 May 2026 7:35pm	680	600	540
Mainliner CA-PE-DBN	Mainliner	Sun 10 May 2026 5:30pm	Mon 11 May 2026 05:40am	680	600	540
Mainliner CA-PE-MTH	Mainliner	Sun 10 May 2026 6:30pm	Mon 11 May 2026 06:20am	700	620	560
Budgetliner BCA-ALICE-EL	Budgetliner	Sun 10 May 2026 6:30pm	Mon 11 May 2026 06:15am	640	560	500
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-FORTB-BLM	Big Sky Intercity	Sun 10 May 2026 6:30pm	Mon 11 May 2026 07:40am	680	600	540
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-CBS-PE	Big Sky Intercity	Sun 10 May 2026 7:00pm	Mon 11 May 2026 06:30am	640	560	500
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-PE-DBN	Big Sky Intercity	Mon 11 May 2026 06:00am	Mon 11 May 2026 7:40pm	740	660	600
Mainliner DCA-PE-DBN	Mainliner	Mon 11 May 2026 07:30am	Mon 11 May 2026 7:35pm	680	600	540
Mainliner CA-PE-DBN	Mainliner	Mon 11 May 2026 5:30pm	Tue 12 May 2026 05:40am	680	600	540
Mainliner CA-PE-MTH	Mainliner	Mon 11 May 2026 6:30pm	Tue 12 May 2026 06:20am	700	620	560
Budgetliner BCA-ALICE-EL	Budgetliner	Mon 11 May 2026 6:30pm	Tue 12 May 2026 06:15am	640	560	500
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-FORTB-BLM	Big Sky Intercity	Mon 11 May 2026 6:30pm	Tue 12 May 2026 07:40am	680	600	540
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-PE-DBN	Big Sky Intercity	Tue 12 May 2026 06:00am	Tue 12 May 2026 7:40pm	740	660	600
Mainliner DCA-PE-DBN	Mainliner	Tue 12 May 2026 07:30am	Tue 12 May 2026 7:35pm	680	600	540
Mainliner CA-PE-DBN	Mainliner	Tue 12 May 2026 5:30pm	Wed 13 May 2026 05:40am	680	600	540
Mainliner CA-PE-MTH	Mainliner	Tue 12 May 2026 6:30pm	Wed 13 May 2026 06:20am	700	620	560
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-FORTB-BLM	Big Sky Intercity	Tue 12 May 2026 6:30pm	Wed 13 May 2026 07:40am	680	600	540
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-PE-DBN	Big Sky Intercity	Wed 13 May 2026 06:00am	Wed 13 May 2026 7:40pm	740	660	600
Mainliner DCA-PE-DBN	Mainliner	Wed 13 May 2026 07:30am	Wed 13 May 2026 7:35pm	680	600	540
Mainliner CA-PE-DBN	Mainliner	Wed 13 May 2026 5:30pm	Thu 14 May 2026 05:40am	680	600	540
Mainliner CA-PE-MTH	Mainliner	Wed 13 May 2026 6:30pm	Thu 14 May 2026 06:20am	700	620	560
Budgetliner BCA-ALICE-EL	Budgetliner	Wed 13 May 2026 6:30pm	Thu 14 May 2026 06:15am	640	560	500
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-FORTB-BLM	Big Sky Intercity	Wed 13 May 2026 6:30pm	Thu 14 May 2026 07:40am	680	600	540

Price Statistics per Intercape pay class (Year 2026)

Ticket Type	Lowest Price	Highest Price	Average Price
Saver	340	1,750	515
Flexi	360	1,850	576
Full Flexi	440	1,950	656

Intercape Routes from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Cape

Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-PE-DBN
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-CBS-PE
Mainliner DCA-PE-DBN
Mainliner CA-PE-DBN
Mainliner CA-PE-MTH
Budgetliner BCA-ALICE-EL
Big Sky Intercity Big Sky CA-FORTB-BLM
Mainliner CA-PE-EL
Intercape Bus

Travel Time Scheduled (Year 2026)

The quickest bus takes 11h 30m, slowest 13h 40m, average 12h 26m.

Departures vary from 6:00am to 7:00pm. Arrivals from 5:40am to 7:40pm.

Travelling for a major life event?

If you are relocating to the Cape or travelling to manage family affairs, ensure your legal requirements are in order.

Passenger Reviews: Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Cape

Write a Review

Did you travel this route recently? Share your experience regarding punctuality, comfort, and safety.

Bus Route Map

Intercape Bus Route Locations & Safety Ratings

From: Cape Town

Address: Unit 2 Intercape Corporate Office inside the Cape Town Station complex on Old Marine Drive on the foreshore of the Cape Town CBD. You can book an Uber to lift you to your destination. Do not leave the station building until your ride arrives, as the vicinity is dodgy. Try arrive while it is still daylight hours (weekdays are safer than weekends).

Province: Western Cape

Safety Rating: 3/10

Long distance terminal is generally secure, but surrounding CBD requires vigilance at night.

Contact: Phone Intercape at 021-3804400 or phone Big Sky Intercity at 087-8218218

Latitude: -33.92401409

Longitude: 18.43227396

Uber Availability: Available.

Need a safe ride from the station?

Get a ZAR 50 Discount Off Your First 5 Trips

Location: View Cape Town on Google Maps

To: Port Elizabeth Cape

Address: Intercape office, 336 Cape Road, Newton park 6055 (Next to Nandos)

Province: Eastern Cape

Safety Rating: 4/10

Generally safe with 24/7 staff, good lighting, and often CCTV. Standard travel precautions apply.

Contact: Phone Intercape at 021-3804400 or phone Big Sky Intercity at 087-8218218

Latitude: -33.94846667

Longitude: 25.55937874

Uber Availability: Available.

Need a safe ride from the station?

Get a ZAR 50 Discount Off Your First 5 Trips

Location: View Port Elizabeth Cape on Google Maps

General Safety considerations

Please check the specific safety ratings for your departure and arrival stations above. Many bus stops have safety issues; it is better to arrive at bus stops while the sun is still shining (nighttime is always riskier), with weekdays generally being safer than weekends. Do not display valuables, keep them safe and out of sight. Plan in advance how you will get from your final Intercape bus stop to your destination so as to minimise time at the bus stop.

Why so slow?

You may be wondering why the journeys take so long. Part of the reason is that Intercape have a self-imposed speed limit of 95km/h on national roads and 40km/h on mountain passes - this is for safety reasons. Speed kills.

Intercape Bus Tickets from Port Elizabeth Cape to Cape Town

What about the return journey? View prices and departure times for Intercape buses travelling from Port Elizabeth Cape to Cape Town.