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: |
11 July 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 compartments) 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. In this section: 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
Fares How to buy tickets What are the trains like? Safety on board these trains 2. Johannesburg - Durban
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