South Africa transport prices 2026
Real fares, not estimates: we went through every offer listed on 12Go for 34 routes (841 offers, checked on 12 October 2026 for a departure on 2 November 2026). Here is what a ticket really costs, mode by mode.
Compare on 12Go →How we checked these prices
For this guide we opened the 12Go page of each of the 34 routes on SouthAfricaByBus and kept every offer listed (checked on 12 October 2026 for a departure on 2 November 2026). Prices are those shown by 12Go for one ticket, in euros, rounded down to the euro.
Prices and timetables change with the date, the departure time and demand: use these figures as an order of magnitude and check the live price before booking.
Bus fares on the main routes
Offers listed on 12Go for a departure on 2 November 2026. Click a route for schedules and travel tips.
| Route | Cheapest | Typical fare* | Typical duration | Offers that day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg → Cape Town | €39 | €49 | 19 h 45 | 21 |
| Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) → Johannesburg | €30 | €31 | 14 h 45 | 10 |
| Johannesburg → Vryburg | €22 | €29 | 5 h 55 | 4 |
| Vryburg → Johannesburg | €21 | €29 | 5 h 40 | 4 |
| Johannesburg → Mbombela (Nelspruit) | €24 | €24 | 5 h 04 | 2 |
| Johannesburg → Mossel Bay | €49 | €49 | 18 h 04 | 2 |
| Mossel Bay → Johannesburg | €47 | €47 | 18 h 10 | 2 |
| Johannesburg → Kuruman | €23 | €23 | 7 h 19 | 2 |
| Johannesburg → Modimolle | €23 | €23 | 3 h 05 | 2 |
| Modimolle → Johannesburg | €23 | €23 | 3 h 20 | 2 |
| Pretoria → Johannesburg | €15 | €15 | 1 h 19 | 1 |
| Bloemfontein → Johannesburg | €21 | €21 | 4 h 34 | 1 |
| Mbombela (Nelspruit) → Johannesburg | €34 | €34 | 7 h 25 | 1 |
| Ladybrand → Johannesburg | €41 | €41 | 11 h 35 | 1 |
*Typical fare = median of all offers listed that day for this mode. Prices rounded down to the euro.
Flight fares on the main routes
Offers listed on 12Go for a departure on 2 November 2026. Click a route for schedules and travel tips.
| Route | Cheapest | Typical fare* | Typical duration | Offers that day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town → Johannesburg | €78 | €117 | 2 h 05 | 163 |
| Johannesburg → Cape Town | €68 | €108 | 2 h 15 | 148 |
| Johannesburg → Durban | €43 | €53 | 1 h 10 | 110 |
| Cape Town → Durban | €85 | €144 | 2 h 05 | 61 |
| Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) → Johannesburg | €50 | €66 | 1 h 40 | 36 |
| George → Johannesburg | €93 | €113 | 1 h 55 | 35 |
| Johannesburg → George | €60 | €91 | 2 h | 27 |
| Durban → Cape Town | €74 | €101 | 2 h 20 | 26 |
| Johannesburg → East London | €58 | €64 | 1 h 35 | 22 |
| East London → Johannesburg | €58 | €64 | 1 h 30 | 22 |
| Johannesburg → Kimberley | €82 | €157 | 1 h 25 | 16 |
| Kimberley → Johannesburg | €82 | €153 | 1 h 15 | 16 |
| Johannesburg → Pietermaritzburg | €106 | €145 | 1 h 05 | 4 |
| Pietermaritzburg → Johannesburg | €108 | €113 | 1 h 05 | 4 |
| Johannesburg → Port Shepstone | €107 | €107 | 1 h 40 | 2 |
| Port Shepstone → Johannesburg | €109 | €109 | 1 h 30 | 2 |
*Typical fare = median of all offers listed that day for this mode. Prices rounded down to the euro.
What makes a ticket cheaper or more expensive
On the same day, flights on Johannesburg → Durban ranged from €43 to €308 depending on time, company and class.
On Johannesburg → Cape Town, 7 companies were on sale: FlySafair (from €68), South African Airways (from €110), Airlink (from €106), Safair (from €83).
Tips to pay the right price
- Compare the cheapest and the typical fare. The gap shows how much a flexible departure time can save.
- Compare modes on the same route. On many routes several modes are on sale side by side, with different prices and durations.
- Check what the price includes. Class, luggage and change conditions are shown on each offer before you pay.
- Book ahead for fixed plans. The cheapest departures are the first to sell out.
Transport prices in South Africa: your questions
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Check today's prices in South Africa
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