Travel via bus increases in South Africa as flight prices soar

With the high costs of fuel and flights, travelling by bus has become a more popular option for South Africans. The Bus Price Index recorded an average 112% increase in bus searches in South Africa over 2022 compared to 2021.

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This increase in bus searches may be thanks to the cost-savings implications of travelling by bus compared to cars, the exorbitant prices of flights and SA’s failing railway systems.

In South Africa, passengers can make their way around for about R37 per 100km via bus. One-way bus ticket prices from Johannesburg to Cape Town start from around R600, and a ticket from Durban to Johannesburg starts at around R400. These prices are much cheaper compared to the cost of petrol and toll fees to drive alone from Johannesburg to Cape Town or Durban, and a one-way flight between these cities can set passengers back up to R2 500 over the festive period.

‘In 2022, growing energy costs also pushed bus prices up. Still, bus travel seems to remain by far the cheapest mode of transportation,’ says Marc Hofmann, CEO of CheckMyBus.

Wallet-friendly bus trips in South Africa according to Busbud:

‘Buses are a good alternative for budget-conscious travellers. While a road journey may take longer, it is a good chance to relax and avoid the chaos of airports. To assist travellers in finding the best money-saving deals and offer them more transportation options to choose from for getting from point A to point B, Cheapflights has added buses to its core search,’ says Laure Bornet, GM, KAYAK EMEA, who manages Cheapflights.co.za.

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