Page 440 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

438 SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling by Train and Bus luxury rail services, Premier
Classe trains have single,
Train travel in South Africa is quite comfortable and two- and four-berth coupés
economical, but seldom very fast. Intercity buses, on the with air conditioning, toiletries
other hand, are fast, far-reaching and affordable, though it and room service. There are
is wise to compare long-distance fares with those of the shared bathrooms and a
dining car and bar. Fares
cheaper airlines. City transport is a little more limited. include breakfast, lunch,
Suburban trains and minibus taxis are used largely by high tea and dinner.
commuters and can be crowded, meaning that personal
safety cannot be guaranteed. However, modern buses and Suburban Trains
high-speed trains with good security have been introduced
Suburban train services run in
on many routes, including to and from the major airports. In most South African cities and
addition, some forms of transport are specifically designed for are operated by Metrorail.
visitors, such as luxury trains and sightseeing city buses. These trains are used mainly
by commuters and can be
overcrowded. Theft may also
be an issue. Timetables and
tickets are available at the
stations and on the website.
A first-class ticket costs
about twice as much as a
third-class ticket but offers
better seating and security.
Children under 11 years of
age travel at half price.
It is advisable to use
suburban trains only in daylight
hours, and preferably at peak
times (early in the morning and
The Braamfontein Railway Yards under the Nelson Mandela Bridge mid- to late-afternoon). It is not
recommended to travel alone
Long-Distance Trains
at the end of each coach. on suburban trains at any time.
Shosholoza Meyl operates Simple meals are available from Among the Cape Town trains
trains from Johannesburg to a restaurant coach. Snacks can that are popular with visitors
Cape Town (27 hours), Port also be purchased from a is the Southern Line Tourism
Elizabeth (21 hours), East service trolley, and passengers Route, which runs from the
London (15 hours) and Durban can bring their own food city centre through the
(13 hours). The services are and refreshments. Southern Suburbs and along
affordable but much slower A tourist-class ticket costs the False Bay coast to Simon’s
than long-distance buses – in about twice as much as an Town. One- or two-day tickets
addition, trains run overnight, economy-class ticket. Children offer unlimited travel on a
so they may arrive at or under nine travel at half price. hop-on/hop-off basis. Many
leave some stations at Note that booking in advance of the attractions in this part
inconvenient times. Full is necessary during the of the Cape Peninsula are
timetables can be found on school holidays. within walking distance of
the website. the stations.
There are two types of The Gautrain is a rapid-rail
class: tourist and economy. Luxury Trains network linking Johannesburg
Tourist class offers sleeping Enormously popular, especially and Pretoria (a journey of about
compartments with two or with foreign visitors, are the 40 minutes). There is also a
four bunks, a wash basin and a luxurious train safaris offered branch line between Sandton
table. Bedding can be hired on by the Blue Train, Rovos and OR Tambo International
the train for a fee. Communal Rail and Shongololo Express Airport, a journey of around 15
toilets and showers are at the (see pp422–3). minutes. At peak hours, trains
end of each coach. Solo Premier Classe is Shosh- run every 12 minutes, and off-
travellers share a four-berth oloza Meyl’s upmarket service peak about every 20–30
compart ment with fellow between Johannesburg and minutes. Fares are paid for by a
travellers of the same gender. Cape Town and Johannesburg Gautrain Gold Card, which can
Economy class has reclining and Durban – cars can be be purchased and topped up
seats with headrests and a transported on these trains. at ticket offices and vending
reasonable amount of leg More comfortable than regular machines. Children under the
room, and toilets can be found trains, but not as opulent as the age of three travel free.