Train travel in:
How to travel by train in
South Africa . . .
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Train travel in: |
How to travel by train inSouth Africa . . . |
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Country information |
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Train operator in South Africa: |
Shosholoza Meyl: www.spoornet.co.za (look for 'passengers'). (for reservations from overseas call + 27 11 774 4555) Luxury Blue Train, Cape Town-Pretoria: www.bluetrain.co.za. Premier Classe train, Cape Town-Johannesburg: www.premierclasse.co.za |
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Time zone: |
GMT+2 |
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Currency: |
£1 = approx 15 Rand. $1 = approx 7.5 Rand Currency converter |
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Visas: |
UK citizens do not need a visa to visit South Africa. |
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Tourist information: |
www.southafrica.net, www.safrica.info. Recommended guidebooks |
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Hotels, flights & tours: |
Hotels in South Africa Book a flight to South Africa Tours & activities |
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Page last updated: |
26 June 2008 |
Contrary to what you may have heard (and to what many middle-class South Africans may tell you), taking the train is a civilised, safe and enjoyable way to travel between cities in South Africa. There are several completely different train services:
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These long-distance passenger trains are perhaps South Africa's best-kept travel secret. Comfortable, cheap & safe, they link major cities. They are run by Shosholoza Meyl, part of South African Railways (Spoornet) previously known as Main Line Passenger Services. These trains are a great way to travel, as they let you see South Africa comfortably & affordably at ground level, without spending whole days & nights in a bus seat. In July 2006, Shosholoza Meyl split its trains into two separate types: Tourist class trains consist exclusively of sleeping cars (2- & 4-berth, 3- & 6-berth) and a restaurant car serving meals, snacks, beer and wine. The sleepers even have hot showers at the end of the corridor! Economy class trains consist of sitter class seats and sometimes a restaurant car.
Routes & times Fares How to buy tickets What are Shosholoza Meyl trains like? Safety on Shosholoza Meyl trains Travellers' reports Train Times:Johannesburg - Pretoria - Louis Trichardt - Messina Johannesburg - Pretoria - Nelspruit (for Kruger Park) - Komatipoort - Maputo (Mozambique) Kimberley - Mafeking service withdrawn. You can check Shosholoza Meyl train times at www.spoornet.co.za - click 'Passengers' then 'Shosholoza Meyl. 1. Cape Town - Johannesburg
* Pretoria: Shosholoza Meyl & Premier Classe trains no longer run through to/from Pretoria, since May 2006 they start/finish their journey at Johannesburg. Remember that Johannesburg city centre isn't safe for visitors, although the station itself has security and is well-patrolled & secure. Be very careful if you walk outside the station. It's recommended that you pre-book a car or taxi to pick you up at Jo'burg station when you arrive, and when leaving again, take a taxi or car to the station entrance. Pretoria is a safer city to use as a base when visiting the Jo'burg area.
Fares How to buy tickets What are the trains like? Safety on board these trains 2. Johannesburg - Durban
Fares How to buy tickets What are the trains like? Safety on board 3. Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth
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