1

Hi there, I am from Cape Town so I can make a few suggestions.

The train is a good method to go, just make sure you get a Metro Plus Ticket, thats our equivalent for 1st class, the price is very reasonable.

Best time of the day I would say would be early morning say around 9am, that way you get to enjoy the day. The train trip to Simons Town takes around an hour or so and is quite scenic.
I think I would avoid Sat and Sundays as the trains run less frequently on those days.

Simons Town is really nice, spend some time there, there is Jubilee Square, Boulders Beach is great, can seen some penguins.

Let me know if I can be of more assistance!

Regards

2

I actually think the easiest is to rent a car (I had one for EUR 14 per day). It's a long ride to Simons Town and the trains are rather infrequent. With a car you are also more flexible. It would moreover allow you to go South via Muizenberg and then North again via Camps Bay (or the other way round). Lots of lovely spots to stop on the way on both sides.

Cheers,
e.

3

Kalk Bay is a lovely small town, sit out the back of the Brass Bell pub & watch seals, sharks & whales. The best fish in Cape Town comes from Kalk Bay. There is a fantastic view point here of False Bay up Boyes Drive. At Clovelly there is a walkway amongst the rocks, when the tide is in the whales come in & you can actually get wet from a blow ! At Glencairn they also come in very close. A bit further on from here but before Simon's Town station is Red Hill another great viewpoint. The best route is down the east side then back to CT via the west side. Apart from Chapman's Peak Drive, another fantastic mountain pass is through Silvermine mountains from Tokai but you would then miss out the seaside towns from Muizenberg to Fish Hoek. Must mention Tokai forest, baboons here. Leave early as it is a full day if you want to take in a lot.

I do agree this trip is best via a car.

4

Fully agree with car rental, there are other places you can visit en route, Rhodes cottage (St james I think) Silvermine for a good energetic walk, fishoek, Clovelly, (Dixies restaurant used to be fantastic) The Brass bell at Kalk Bay, shouldn't and can't be missed (easily visible from main road) Boulders beach, a good walk outside of Simonstown but only a short walk from the highway if you're driving ?

If somethings hard to do ? it's not worth doing ! Homer (Simpson)

5

Thank you for all of the great responses, I really appreciate the detailed information. I was reluctant to go the car hire route because I've only ever driven on the right, so I'm not confident in my driving skills using the other side of my brain. However, I will play it by ear and see how I feeling once I've been in the country for a bit.

At least it seems I have a workable option for the train, I was worried it was bus tour or nothing. Thanks again!

6

BazBus and another outfit have day tours along the Cape Peninsula. I took the former. Both include a short bike ride. I'm not a tour person, preferring exploring on my own, but that was the best way at the time since I don't drive.