Train travel in:
Train travel in
South Africa . . .
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Train travel in: |
Train travel 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 14 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: |
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Page last updated: |
6 May 2008 |
Freight ships with limited passenger places plus an occasional cruise liner link the UK with Cape Town. Start with your search with www.strandtravel.co.uk and www.cruisepeople.co.uk, two UK agencies which book both cruise liners and freighters. Cunard have occasional sailings from Southampton to Cape Town, see www.Cunard.com. |
Contrary to what you may have heard (and to what many middle-class South Africans will 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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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 Right: A Shosholoza Meyl train in the new colour scheme, launched in 2001 with newly-refurbished sleeping-cars and the new Shosholoza Meyl brand. 'Shosholoza Meyl' means 'pleasant experience'. Photo courtesy of SMD Lighting.
Shosholoza Meyl tourist class trainsTourist class train: Sleeper-4 (2-& 4-berth compartments), Sleeper-6 (3- & 6-berth compartments) & restaurant car, recommended. Economy class train: Economy ('sitter') class seats only. Not recommended except for daytime journeys. Premier Classe train: An affordable deluxe sleeper service, highly recommended, see below 1. Cape Town - Johannesburg
Pretoria: The Trans-Karoo no longer runs through to/from Pretoria, but since May 2006 has started/finished its journey at Johannesburg. Book a car or taxi (as the Metrorail suburban trains aren't safe) for travel to/from Pretoria or the surrounding area. Remember that central Johannesburg isn't particularly safe for visitors (although the situation is reported as improving), so although the station itself in Johannesburg has security, be careful when you walk outside. Jo'burg airport is almost as close to Pretoria as it is to central Johannesburg.
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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These
trains are perhaps South Africa's best-kept travel
secret! Comfortable, cheap
and 