Intercape receives praise for its clean buses, friendly and efficient staff, punctuality, and overall comfortable travel experience. Passengers appreciate the helpfulness of drivers towards those needing assistance. However, some reviews mention minor inconveniences such as bus changes causing confusion or discomfort due to air conditioning settings during stopovers.
I loved everything about the bus, from its smooth drive to their nice driver who offered me a jacket for the night as I didn't have a jacket and it was cold. I really appreciated that
5 out of 5 stars
Keketso M.
The bus was clean and nice the problem was the driver opened an air conditioner the whole trip we ask him to turn off he was very rude...speaking today cause I just been discharged from hospital because of the cold I got in that bus
2 out of 5 stars
Busiswa Samantha M.
It wasn’t a mainliner. It was bigsky. I wish I could be told that before booking.
Passengers have praised the bus service for its comfortable seating, cleanliness, and punctuality. The ability to charge devices during long trips was appreciated by many users. Additionally, drivers were often described as friendly and professional. However, some reviews mentioned issues with air conditioning being too cold or not working properly at times.
We were told the busses have toilets. The bus did not have a toilet. We were taken off our initial bus because it was full.
I dont understand how a bus can be full and have people who booked in advance be taken off the bus cause it was full.
We had the worst experience with the bus conductor. I wouldn't recommend the bus service
1 out of 5 stars
Ndumiso Z.
The trip was okay . Though the bus was a bit delayed and the charging pins were not working but the drive was okay and relaxed
5 out of 5 stars
Thando M.
The comfort is top-notch. What I didn't like was that the driver confused the stops and had to return to the stop he missed. But great service overall.
Many users appreciated the punctuality, cleanliness, and friendly drivers of the bus service. The comfort features like extra legroom and well-designed seats were also highlighted positively. However, some reviews pointed out issues with air conditioning not functioning properly and a lack of charging ports on certain buses.
The experience was absolutely horrible. The bus wasnt spacious. The driver was not on time and even worse didn’t know the directions most of the trip, passengers were truly angry.
2 out of 5 stars
Siyathemba M.
I didn't enjoy the journey because the drivers are very rude, they gave me a very poor service I'm not happy at all
1 out of 5 stars
Phumzile C.
I loved everything, the bus was on time and the driver is friendly he was not speeding.
No problems at all my traveling was perfect
Based on 21 reviews, Citiliner was rated 3.7 stars for this trip. Citiliner ticket prices on this trip start at R 292, with the trip lasting on average 438.
Users have shared positive experiences, highlighting the comfort of the seating and cleanliness of the buses. They also appreciated friendly drivers and excellent service from conductors. However, there were mentions of arriving earlier than expected due to fast driving, which caused some inconvenience with pick-up arrangements.
Big Sky Johannesburg Pietermaritzburg recent customer reviews
The bathroom was smelling terrible & the charging ports were not working. this obviously has nothing to do with big-sky per-say but there were people drinking alcohol & making a noise throughout the whole night which was very unpleasant.
1 out of 5 stars
Minentle M.
I have traveled 5 times this year to jhb and this was the quickest , most cleanness, comfortable bus I have been on. The service from the conductors were excellent
5 out of 5 stars
Nicholette P.
It was nice to use big sky as public transport especially for long distance,, it was convinient for me
Based on 2797 reviews, the company was rated 2.1 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the cleanliness but often complained with the Wi-Fi. APM WC ticket prices on this trip start at R 365
I feel like I was scammed. Boarded outside Park Station and felt very unsafe. Bus was scheduled for 9pm,we left after 22h30. The "staff" or helpers were all visibly drunk. The "luxury" bus was actually not even close to that. An uncomfortable bus with upright seats for a long distance trip. Then halfway the driver's bank card declined when time came to pay for fuel, another delay!
Customers have shared positive experiences with Citiliner and Greyhound, highlighting punctuality, comfortable seating, cleanliness, and friendly drivers. However, some users noted issues such as non-functional charging ports and occasional unpleasant odors on the bus. Despite these minor concerns, many travelers appreciated the overall quality of service provided by both companies.
The driver had the heater on and it was soo hot . I was not even winter . Joh and he refused to turn on cooler hair
1 out of 5 stars
Sinenhlanhla N.
The seats were comfortable and our driver was perfect 👌 although the charging point was not working.
4 out of 5 stars
Samukelisiwe H.
The bus arrived late for pick up and arrived earlier at the destination which messed up my whole transport arrangements when I got to PMB . There was also vibration I think from the wheels which made it difficult to rest the head on the headrest, otherwise the trip was fine
Based on 115 reviews, the company was rated 2.6 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the power outlets but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Big Tree ticket prices on this trip start at R 425
Based on 62 reviews, the company was rated 3.9 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the departure location and the ticket access but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Luvalo Brothers Transport ticket prices on this trip start at R 315
Based on 3922 reviews, the company was rated 1.7 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the seats but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Delta Coaches ticket prices on this trip start at R 316
Based on 5 reviews, the company was rated 1.6 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the staff and the departure location but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Citilink ticket prices on this trip start at R 407
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg by bus
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
The cheapest bus tickets from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg start at R 248. The average price for this route is around R 579. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus journey from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
The average bus journey time from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg is 6h 30m, covering a distance of 444 km. The fastest bus gets you there in 2h 15m and is operated by Eagle Liner.
Which bus companies service the Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg route?
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
The earliest bus departs from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg at 06:30. And the latest bus departs at 23:00.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
A bus trip from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg produces an estimated 11 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and Busbud’s recommended way to travel.
What is the best bus company from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Luvalo Brothers Transport, with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 62 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Luvalo Brothers Transport has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 2.1.
Which bus company offers the most punctual service from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is Luvalo Brothers Transport, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Citiliner, with a cleanliness rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
05/12
R 415
06/12
R 431
Today
R 321
08/12
R 332
09/12
R 316
10/12
R 316
11/12
R 295
12/12
R 316
The cheapest trip from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg was searched and found on 11 Dec 2025 with a price of R 295
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from R 295 to R 1 660 for a bus ticket from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 295, which is on 2025-12-11.
Usually Intercity Xpress, Intercape will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.
The cheapest trip from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg was searched and found on 11 Dec 2025 with a price of R 295
