Users have shared positive experiences with the bus service, highlighting the friendly and attentive nature of the driver. The comfort and peacefulness of Intercape's Mainliner were also appreciated by travelers. However, some users noted discomfort during long rides due to seats that did not recline properly.
Terrible. I enjoyed nothing. The bus was delayed for 4 hours and the toilet was filthy.
1 out of 5 stars
Mbali N.
At the pickup point the staff said its not the bus for me to get on but it ended up being the correct bus after multiple time me asked ng them to check properly. No ventilation or Aircon in the stuffy bus. At least I arrived safely at my destination but it was not a comfortable experience
2 out of 5 stars
Deseree T.
I was travelling from Grahamstown, Eastern Cape to Pietermartizburg,Kwa Zulu Natal. Firstly a bus arrived on time and denied being the bus of departure and left us stranded there. After 25 minutes another bus arrives which now late and boards us in. Arrival time of the ticket was 7:35am, at 7:35am the bus was at its stop in Kokstad. I had a family commitment to attend at 10am which was the time we passed Richmond I'm so disappointed in the service. On the way the driver and conductor were careless and ignorant the bus was driving off road, at some point another car stopped us to let us know that the suite case compartment was not closed upon entering the bus driver and taxi was faced head to head the nearly swiped that taxi of its wheels. I honestly did not know that Intercape was a bus service for imbeciles please let us know next time. There was no communication whatsoever about the reasons of being late. The worst ever! Arriving at the destination 3 hours late has no excuse there wasn't even traffic those drivers had no idea where they were going.
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Grahamstown 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 Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg?
The cheapest bus tickets from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg start from $51. The average price for this route is around $90. 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 Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg?
The average bus travel time from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg is 11h 45m, covering a distance of 551 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 11h 45m and is operated by Intercape.
Which bus companies service the Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 2 buses available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg?
The earliest bus departs from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg at 7:50pm. And the latest bus departs at 9:35pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg?
A bus trip from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg generates an estimated 14 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
12-01
$103
12-02
$68
Today
$92
12-04
$82
12-05
$102
12-06
$99
12-07
$99
12-08
$99
The cheapest trip from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg was searched and found on Dec 2, 2025 with a price of $68
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $68 to $175 for a bus ticket from Grahamstown to Pietermaritzburg based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $82 which is on 2025-12-04.