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Johannesburg with a dedicated airport link from Sandton to the OR Tambo
International Airport.
Perhaps not quite as fast as Japan or France’s bullet trains, but fast enough at
160km/hour and every bit as comfortable and luxurious. Its state-of-the-art
stations have fast self-service ticket vending machines and these stations have
become hubs of local development.
The rapid-transit Gautrain is safe and convenient, with trains departing every
12 minutes at peak times and every 20 to 30 minutes outside peak times. A
one-way ticket between Pretoria and Johannesburg’s Park Station costs
an affordable R76. You first have to purchase a Gold Card at R16, then load
credit onto it for your journey, while children under 3 travel free. A number of
different product passes can be purchased and the integrated ticketing system
allows passengers to pay for the train, bus rides and parking with a single card.
The Gautrain, with its distinctive gold, silver and blue livery and sleek,
aerodynamic appearance, has become a favourite with people seeking fast
and convenient connections between the airport and local destinations, or for
commuting between Gauteng’s three major cities.
The train runs along two corridors: the north-south route from Johannesburg
to Tshwane, and the west-east route from Sandton to OR International Airport.
A journey on the train will have you travelling at high speed through the suburbs
of the three cities, through industrial areas, flashing across open countryside,
zipping through high-end residential areas, passing the busy airport, riding
elevated high above the ground, or down below the surface through sections
of tunnels. Buses and shuttles are available to transport passengers during
weekdays to and from all stations excluding the OR Tambo station.
sorted out and the train is very safe.
Tickets can be bought at Cape Town Station or any of the stations along the
route.
Atlantic Rail
For steam train enthusiasts, South Africa has an abundance of unique offerings,
mostly private operations using Transnet rail lines, but some operating on their
own private lines.
One such company, Atlantic Rail, offers some of the most scenic trips from Cape
Town through the famous Cape Winelands to Stellenbosch and to wine estates
such as Spier and Vredenheim. Atlantic Rail uses a Class 16DA steam locomotive
built in 1929, while its wooden-bodied vintage coaches date from 1922 to 1938.
Each train has a lounge car with a full cash bar service.
The company has several more steam train trips scheduled for most of the
remainder of the year. One trip takes you to Stellenbosch where you will
have about 3 ½ hours to yourself to explore the town and its many delightful
experiences. Another trip to Stellenbosch includes a return steam train journey,
a tour of Distell’s Berg Kelder wine museum and cellars, and wine tasting.
After it leaves Cape Town Station the train travels to Bellville, passing Century
City, then branches off to Eerste River after which it crosses through the
The trip from Sandton to the airport takes 15 minutes, and from Johannesburg
to Pretoria a mere 40 minutes. It is truly Africa’s most state-of-the-art train and
a magnificent world-class rail experience.
Contact: Call Centre Tel 0800 428 87246
Website: http://www.gautrain.co.za/
Metrorail Cape Town-to-Simonstown
While part of Metrorail’s regular Cape Town commuter train services, the
service from Cape Town to Simonstown has long been very popular for
weekend picnic excursions with locals. The train departs at regular intervals
from Cape Town’s main station, travels through the southern suburbs,
and eventually hugs some of the most scenic coastline in South Africa from
Muizenburg to Simonstown. From Muizenburg all stops are at stations sitting
virtually on the beach.
Take the train from Cape Town or any station along the route, get off in
Simonstown and visit the naval dockyards, small craft harbour, restaurants,
museums, pubs, various historic sites and more, all within walking distance
from the station. After a leisurely day exploring historic Simonstown, take the
late afternoon train back to Cape Town.
Sand drifts onto the lines may however cause part of the line between Fish
Hoek and Simonstown to be closed periodically. As this is a daily commuter
train tickets are very affordable. Past security problems have generally been
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