How much is the Intercape bus from Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith?

Bus ticket prices have ranged from R288 to R540 this year. Currently, the cheapest available one-way ticket is R324.

How long is the bus ride from Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith?

The average journey by bus takes approximately 2 hours and 10 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 Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith

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Intercape offers bus tickets from Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith, with 1-way prices having ranged from R288 to R540 during 2026:

The current cheapest one-way Intercape bus ticket from Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith is R324 in Saver class on a Mainliner coach; taking East London to Pretoria via Mthatha scheduled to depart Pietermaritzburg at 02:45 on Fri 20 Nov 2026 and scheduled to arrive in Ladysmith at 04:50 on Fri 20 Nov 2026 (duration of 2 hours 5 minutes).
- For pensioners (60 and older), the current cheapest one-way ticket is R291 in Flexi class (with a 15% discount applied); taking East London to Pretoria via Mthatha departing Pietermaritzburg at 02:45 on Fri 20 Nov 2026 and arriving in Ladysmith at 04:50 on Fri 20 Nov 2026 (duration of 2 hours 5 minutes).
Average one-way ticket prices are Saver: R362, Flexi: R386, Full Flexi: R414. Lower Flexi and Full Flexi fares may be achieved if any discounts are applicable.
- For pensioners the average 1-way prices are: Saver: R362, Flexi: R328, Full Flexi: R352.

The journey takes on average 2 hours and 10 minutes.

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 Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith

Prices last checked and verified on: 2026-11-15 10:59:34

All prices in South African Rand (ZAR).

Route	Coach Type	Depart (Pietermaritzburg)	Arrive (Ladysmith)	Full Flexi (ZAR)	Flexi (ZAR)	Saver (ZAR)
East London to Pretoria via Mthatha	Mainliner	01:05am	03:15am	490	466	441
East London to Pretoria via Mthatha	Mainliner	02:45am	04:50am	360	342	324
Express Durban to Pretoria via Ladysmith	Mainliner	09:50am	12:25pm	440	418	409
Durban to Cape Town via Bloemfontein	Mainliner	11:15am	1:15pm	440	380	380
Richards Bay to Pretoria via Durban	Mainliner	11:50am	1:55pm	520	494	468
Margate to Pretoria via Durban	Mainliner	11:50am	1:55pm	460	437	414
Express Durban to Cape Town via Bloem and Kimberley	Mainliner	12:25pm	2:50pm	440	418	396
Durban to Pretoria via Ermelo	Mainliner	8:45pm	10:45pm	380	361	342
Night Durban to Pretoria via Kimberley	Mainliner	8:50pm	10:55pm	410	390	369
Durban to Upington via Bloemfontein	Mainliner	9:20pm	11:25pm	440	418	396
Durban to Pretoria via Ladysmith	Mainliner	11:20pm	01:25am	390	371	351

Price Statistics per Intercape pay class (Year 2026)

Ticket Type	Lowest Price	Highest Price	Average Price
Saver	288	459	362
Flexi	304	485	386
Full Flexi	320	540	414

Intercape Routes from Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith

Express Durban to Pretoria via Ladysmith
Durban to Cape Town via Bloemfontein
Richards Bay to Pretoria via Durban
Margate to Pretoria via Durban
Express Durban to Cape Town via Bloem and Kimberley
Durban to Pretoria via Ermelo
Night Durban to Pretoria via Kimberley
Durban to Upington via Bloemfontein
Durban to Pretoria via Ladysmith
East London to Pretoria via Mthatha

Travel Time Scheduled (Year 2026)

The quickest bus takes 2h 0m, slowest 2h 35m, average 2h 10m.

Departures vary from 1:05am to 11:20pm. Arrivals from 1:25am to 11:25pm.

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: Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith

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Bus Route Map

Intercape Bus Route Locations & Safety Ratings

Departure: Pietermaritzburg

Address: Intercape Office in Burger St (opposite the McDonalds and next to the Big Sky Intercity offices)

Province: KwaZulu-Natal

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: -29.6045515

Longitude: 30.3817751

Uber Availability: Available.

Need a safe ride from the station?

Get a ZAR 50 Discount Off Your First 5 Trips

Location: View Pietermaritzburg on Google Maps

Arrival: Ladysmith

Address: Engen Garage, Teds Convenience Centre, 11 Murchison Street

Province: KwaZulu-Natal

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: -28.5679891

Longitude: 29.7745483

Uber Availability: Not Available

Location: View Ladysmith 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 Ladysmith to Pietermaritzburg

What about the return journey? View prices and departure times for Intercape buses travelling from Ladysmith to Pietermaritzburg.