Train travel in South Africa…

Contrary to what you may have heard and to what many middle-class South Africans may tell you, taking the train is a remarkably safe, civilised & enjoyable way to travel between cities in South Africa.  In fact, you’d be crazy not to consider it.  There are several completely different train services:
  • Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger trains

    Comfortable & amazingly cheap, Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger trains link Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.  They’re perfectly safe, and one of South Africa’s best-kept secrets, highly recommended by travellers.  The Cape Town to Johannesburg train passes the same wonderful scenery as the megabucks Blue Train, but costs only 430-670 Rand (£38-£60 or $59-$95) including a bed in a 2-berth or 4-berth sleeper.  Durban to Johannesburg is even cheaper.  Shosholoza Meyl’s Tourist Class trains have modernised sleeping-cars and a restaurant car, a great alternative to flying and missing everything, or being stuck in a bus seat for whole days & nights.  See train times, fares & how to buy tickets.

  • Premier Classe trains

    Luxury on a budget.  Premier Classe trains link Cape Town & Johannesburg twice a week for R2,500 (£208 or $320) including exclusive use of a cosy private sleeper and all meals & afternoon tea in the elegant restaurant car as you pass the fabulous South African scenery.  There’s a spacious lounge-bar car too.  Premier Classe also runs from Johannesburg to Durban.  Highly recommended by travellers, who give Premier Classe rave reviews.  See train times, fares & how to buy tickets.

  • The Blue Train  Cape Town to Pretoria…

    A world-famous luxury train from Cape Town to Pretoria once or twice a week.  It costs from 10,120 Rand (£895 or $1,300) one-way including meals, wine and even cigars.  Worth it if you have the money.  See train times, fares & how to buy tickets.

  • Gautrain linking Jo’burg, Pretoria & Jo’burg airport… 

    Gautrain is the brand-new safe and modern electric suburban train service around Johannesburg.  The Airport Line links Jo’burg’s O.R. Tambo international airport with Sandton.  The North-South Line links Park Station in central Johannesburg (used by Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe long distance trains) with Sandton and Pretoria.

Metro suburban trains

Suburban (‘Metro’) trains around Johannesburg & Pretoria are not safe (which is why some South Africans will mistakenly tell you that all South African trains are unsafe), but those around Cape Town can be used if you’re reasonably careful to travel from Cape Town to Stellenbosch, Paarl & Simonstown.  

http://www.seat61.com/SouthAfrica.htm