Train to Simon's Town

I'm visiting Cape Town this month, and one thing I'd like to do is take the train to Simon's Town (I like trains). Is there a site that lists the schedule for the trains? How often do they run? I'm trying to find out if it's possible to stop in Muizenberg (or elsewhere) as part of a day trip.

I've also heard there is a dining train? How does that work? And do I have to book it in advance if I'm travelling on a weekday in September?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I used the train several times during my visit, was totally unaware of a dining car though? I picked up a timetable from the station and got the ticket just before boarding. I did get the wrong ticket though and got fined when I tried to get off the train for a stop in kalk bay, so tell the ticket desk exactly what you are planning on doing rather than making it up as you go along, like I did!
this usually has the best links and info for trains around S Africa

cape metrol rail homepage

click on the timetables icon and scroll down you want cape town -wynberg- simons town.

yes they have new ticket that you can use 8.30 - 15.00 ask for a "hop on hop off for the southern line" and at R25 it is only a couple of rand more that a return ticket to simonstown.

there is a dining car 'biggsy's' but to be honest i don't know if it is running at the moment i have a feeling it isn't as i caught a train a couple of weeks ago which was suppose to have it on but it wasn't there!!! their number is 021 788 7760 give them a call and find out. the times it is supposed to run is indicated with a B on the timetable.

trains run about every 20 mins to half hour during the day but not all of them go all the way to simons town some terminate at fish hoek

enjoy

You won't have to book in advance. Just turn up and hope the train does too! Seriously, timetables are a relatively vague guide line to the Cape Town rail system.

From a safety point of view, time your journey so that you won't be returning after rush hour/ sunset.

If you hop off at Muizenberg, walk the catwalk next to the railway line as far as St James and then wnader along Main Road to Kalk Bay before getting back on the train.

Enjoy!

As a fairly regular commuter on the Cape Town-Simon's Town rail line I can confirm that the restaurant car that has operated very successfully for several years on that route (called Biggsy's) has definitely been withdrawn from service for renovations. Not sure when it will be re-introduced. Miss Alaska's advice regarding the "hop on, hop off" ticket is excellent and I suggest the same. When you look at the timetables listed on the MetroRail site, be aware that there are different times for Monday-Friday, Saturday and Sundays/Public Holidays.

Only about 1 in 4 trains go as far as Simon's Town - the rest either terminate at Fish Hoek or Retreat. If this happens to you simply wait for the next one to come along. At Retreat station, trains for Simon's Town always depart from platform 2. At Fish Hoek station they will probably depart from platform 2, but on occasion they may leave from platform 1 - just ask somebody.

The best views on the trip are from Muizenberg to Simon's Town. Make sure you sit on the east side (on the left if you are facing Simon's Town).

And contrary to what CTLocal says, the times listed ARE pretty reliable. Trains are sometimes late but this is the exception rather than the norm. You won't have a problem - tens of thousands of people catch trains in and around CT every day.

I agree the trains are pretty reliable -

thanks for the update PKilfoil re: biggsy's

cassie, we hope you enjoy the trip as much as we did !

If you want a late breakfast there's a lovely restaurant overlooking SimonsTown harbour that does a 'FULL SOUTH AFRICAN' that scared the hell out of this over-sized English appetite at a very reasonable price !

Another option is to eat later following #3 advice, I think the restaurant at Calk Bay is called 'The Brass Bell'?

#2 missalaska, nice plug for your home town !! Fish Hoek really is a nice little place to get off the train ! Have a wander and maybe a beer on the beach, then continue your journey.

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Drink Windhoek not Castle

For restaurants - Kalk Bay rather than Fish Hoek or Simons Town...try the local fish place at the harbour and the Brass Bell is great - but there are many more

I caught the train last weekend from Simontowns towards Cape Town. I can confirm that the dining car is out of service for refurbishments, due back in November some time they said. The trip along the coast was fantastic. I'm sure its one of the only trains in the world that has such great whale watching. We saw a couple of whales mating off Muzenberg, some playing in the seaweed close to the shore just before Fishoek and 4 or 5 others in between.