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South Africa by train
Your guide to train travel in South Africa
Train routes
South Africa
South Africa train tickets
Buy train tickets for South Africa the easy way
If you're planning a train journey through South Africa, you can choose from some luxurious options to experience the country's beauty in style. The most remarkable trains include Rovos Rail, the African Explorer and the Blue Train. To buy tickets for these extraordinary journeys, you can visit the official websites of the respective train operators or contact specialist travel agencies. Plan ahead, as these exclusive train journeys often sell out quickly. A more affordable way to travel through South Africa by train is the Shosholozameyl.
Africanexplorer.de
Special train journey
At www.africanexplorer.de you can book your unforgettable train journey on the African Explorer special train or the Rovos Rail luxury train.
Southafricanrailways
Buy your train tickets for South Africa online at southafricanrailways.co.za.
Shosholozameyl
You can book tickets for the Shosholozameyl train at the ticket counter on site or by phone.
Popular train routes in South Africa
“Explore South Africa's hotspots by train”
all routes
International
Domestic
From > To
Duration (h)
Changes
Transport
Cape Town to Johannesburg
29:50
1
Train
Cape Town to Pretoria
33:25
2
Train
Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
10:50
Direct
Train
Johannesburg to Durban
14:30
Direct
Train
Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth
19:55
Direct
Train
Johannesburg to Bloemfontein
6:55
Direct
Train
Cape Town to Windhoek, Namibia
22:25
Direct
Bus
Pretoria to Gaborone, Botswana
6:05
1
Train | Bus
Bloemfontein to Maseru, Lesotho
2:19
Direct
Bus
Johannesburg to Mbabane, Eswatini
5:00
Direct
Bus
Johannesburg to Maputo, Mozambique
7:35
Direct
Bus
South Africa train stations
Cape Town Station
Johannesburg Park Station
Pretoria Station
Bloemfontein Station
Durban Station
Port Elizabeth Station
Cape Town Station
Park Station, Rissik Street, Johannesburg, South Africa
Pretoria Station
Bloemfontein, 1st Street, Bloemfontein Central, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Durban Station, Jelf Taylor Crescent, Stamford Hill, Durban, South Africa
Port Elizabeth Railway Station, Port Elizabeth Central, Gqeberha, South Africa
Good to know
The best time to travel to South Africa
The best time to visit South Africa varies depending on the region and the activities you have in mind.
In summer (December to February) coastal areas such as Cape Town and the Garden Route are ideal for beach holidays and water sports.
Autumn (March to May) brings mild weather and fewer tourists – perfect for general travel and safaris. Winter (June to August) is ideal for wildlife spotting in Kruger National Park and whale watching along the coast.
In spring (September to November) Namaqualand bursts into spectacular bloom and the weather is pleasant. Cape Town and the winelands are best visited in autumn and spring.
All in all, the best time to travel depends on the activities and regions you have in mind, with every season offering unique experiences.
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Find flightsYour compass for South Africa: discover, stay, experience
Find everything you need for your unforgettable train journey in South Africa right here.
Destination
South Africa, Africa
Population: 57.8 million
Currency: South African rand
Language: Afrikaans, English
Capital: Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein
Dialling code: +27
Time zone: South African Standard Time
