There are 5 ways to get from Johannesburg to East London by plane, bus, train, car train or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Fly • 3h 17m
Cheapest option
Bus • 12h 34m
3 alternative options
Train, bus • 17h 45m
Car train, drive • 18h 13m
Drive • 11h 35m
Johannesburg to East London by bus
Travel safe during COVID-19
Rules to follow in South Africa
2m
Mandatory
Travel within South Africa
Nationwide control measures in place
Observe COVID-19 safety rules
COVID-19 help in South Africa
If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 0800 029 999
Frequently Asked Questions
There are currently travel restrictions within South Africa.
Explore options for future travelDomestic travel is not restricted, but some conditions may apply
- Face masks are mandatory
- There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres
- Nationwide control measures in place
- Observe COVID-19 safety rules
The national COVID-19 helpline number in East London is 0800 029 999.
Wearing a face mask on public transport in East London is mandatory.
The social distance requirement in East London is 2 metres.
Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 0800 029 999.
Last updated: 3 Mar 2023
Exceptions may apply, for full details: COVID-19 South African Online Portal.
We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.
This information is compiled from official sources. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.
Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Johannesburg to East London is to bus which costs R 450 - R 800 and takes 12h 34m.
The quickest way to get from Johannesburg to East London is to fly which costs R 900 - R 3 900 and takes 3h 17m.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Johannesburg and arriving at East London. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 12h 34m.
The distance between Johannesburg and East London is 758 km. The road distance is 954.8 km.
The best way to get from Johannesburg to East London without a car is to bus which takes 12h 34m and costs R 450 - R 800.
It takes approximately 3h 17m to get from Johannesburg to East London, including transfers.
Johannesburg to East London bus services, operated by Greyhound ZA, depart from Johannesburg station.
The best way to get from Johannesburg to East London is to fly which takes 3h 17m and costs R 900 - R 3 900. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs R 450 - R 800 and takes 12h 34m.
The quickest flight from Johannesburg Airport to East London Airport is the direct flight which takes 1h 30m.
Johannesburg to East London bus services, operated by Greyhound ZA, arrive at East London station.
- Distance: 757.7 km
- Duration: 3h 17m
What companies run services between Johannesburg, South Africa and East London, South Africa?
Airlink and Safair fly from Johannesburg to East London every 3 hours. Alternatively, Greyhound ZA operates a bus from Johannesburg to East London once daily. Tickets cost R 550 - R 800 and the journey takes 12h 34m. Vilamora Tours also services this route once daily.
- Website
- flysafair.co.za
Flights from Johannesburg to East London
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R 900 - R 4 700
Flights from Johannesburg to East London via Durban
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- R 900 - R 4 700
- Website
- flyairlink.com
Flights from Johannesburg to East London
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- R 1 000 - R 3 600
- Phone
- +27 80 042 8872
- info@gautrain.co.za
- Website
- gautrain.co.za
Train from Park to Pretoria
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- R 65 - R 90
- Schedules at
- gautrainalerts.co.za
- Peak
- R 88
- Off-peak
- R 70
- Website
- shosholozameyl.co.za
Car train from Johannesburg Park to Queenstown
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 34m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- R 190 - R 290
- Schedules at
- shosholozameyl.co.za
- 2nd Class
- R 190 - R 290
- 1st Class
- R 340 - R 460
- Phone
- +27 11 611 8000
- bookings@greyhound.co.za
- Website
- greyhound.co.za
Bus from Johannesburg to East London
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 34m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- R 550 - R 800
- Schedules at
- greyhound.co.za
- Phone
- 087 153 3388
- info@vilamora.co.za
- Website
- vilamora.co.za
Bus from Johannesburg to East London
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- R 450
- Schedules at
- vila-mora.co.za
- Phone
- +27 (0)21 380 4400
- info@intercape.co.za
- Website
- intercape.co.za
Bus from Pretoria to East London
- Ave. Duration
- 16h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- R 500 - R 900
- Website
- https://www.intercape.co.za
- Full Flexi
- R 600 - R 850
- Flexi
- R 550 - R 700
- Saver
- R 500 - R 700
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More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Johannesburg to East London is 955 km. It takes approximately 11h 35m to drive from Johannesburg to East London.
Airlink and Safair offer flights from Johannesburg Airport to East London Airport.
There are 34+ hotels available in East London. Prices start at R 1 750 per night.