South Africa: Trains and long-distance coach services

Dear all, I have a couple of questions for the South Africa experts out there. I have been trying to book long-distance train tickets via the Shosholoza Meyl website (www.shosholozameyl.co.za), but the process is interupted because of "invalid cellphone number" (!). Does this mean that I need a South African cellphone in order to book via the website, or is there a way around this? Would appreciate to hear about your experiences with their online booking service.

A more general concern: I will be in South Africa during high season (December-January) and I am slowly realising that I am not at all too early with the practical preparations. I am wondering about long-distance travel by coach: Is this something that must be booked a long time in advance, like train travel? And what about safety on long-distance coach rides? I should add here that I am not at all adverse to travelling by coach (although trains are clearly preferable), but flexibility and safety are of course important concerns. Can you recommend any specific, reliable companies operating in and between the Gauteng - Free State - Northern and Western Cape regions?

Thanks in advance!
Larz

Forget the trains! They're a disaster! Always running several hours late, 8 hours or more is not uncommon. You need to take all the food and drinks for you, because the restaurant car is often running out of food and many sleeper compartments can't be locked.

To be honest, despite the train's bad reputation on here - haven taken the bus and train between Cape Town and Joburg a few times - I would still rather take the train if I had the time. The best place to look for current info on the train is the man in seat 61 website.

As for bus companies, there are Greyhound, Translux and Intercape in order of preference. Generally busses fill up quite quick around the holidays. Just quite how quick, I'm not sure. A week before should be fine, I've done it a few days before and usually gotten a spot - though maybe not with my preferred company.

How was your experience of the train? When did you travel? I mean how long ago?

How late was it?

Did you travel in sleeper or seats?

Was it clean, comfortable? Could you close your compartment?

Seat61 is really the most reliable resource for train travel all over the globe, but in the case of SA it doesn't mention the many problems with the trains. There was a recent topic a few days ago about train travel in SA and a local TT member linked a lot of recent news articles about the problems with trains.

Sorry OP, no advice based on personal experience from me. I've love South Africa and have been there 6 times, but my experience in travelling by train and overland bus is quite limited. The recent post refered to by HALIX is https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/africa/south-africa/from-johannesburg-to-cape-town-plane-or-train.

How was your experience of the train? When did you travel? I mean how long ago?
Last time was about 3 years ago. I've taken the train 3 time. The first time was in the late 90s and that was 3rd class - where sleepers were first come first serve in 6 sleepers. The two other times were tourist class. All journeys were between Cape Town and Johannesburg. (I have a flying phobia so often opted for to go overland than do the flight - my medication has gotten way better recently)

How late was it?
A couple of hours. The worst wait was when we stopped for about an hour and a half just outside Joburg station. Thinking it was done and then having to wait was way worse than just running late.

Did you travel in sleeper or seats?
Sleeper. No way would I do seats for a long journey.

Was it clean, comfortable? Could you close your compartment?
It was clean, fairly comfortable. I vaguely remember being able to lock the compartment but I could be mixing it up with the Tazara train. I generally have locks on my luggage and don't leave valuables lying around but to be honest I don't remember if I left my luggage on its own.

It's definitely not a luxury experience nor completely 3rd world. Most of my time was spent reading.

Thanks for these replies. I have checked the websites of various bus companies, and especially Greyhound seems to have an extensive network that could fit my plans. The very preliminary idea is to spend a few days in the Gauteng region, and then break the journey between Johannesburg and Cape Town in Kimberley and Bloemfontein (possibly adding a couple of days in Lesotho), and spend most of the remaining time in the Western Cape. I have many other ideas as well, but would like to be as flexible as possible. Hence the question about the need to book public transport a long time in advance (this is apparently the case for trains, at least for sleepers and first class tickets). Car rental is not an option, but an occasional domestic flight can be considered.

Interestingly, the global number one authority on rail travel (www.seat61.com) appears to be quite upbeat about South Africa, arguing that those who warn against South African trains have probably never taken one. Opinions seem to diverge a lot on this point!

I am still puzzled about the fact that Shosholoza Meyl's web bookings don't work because of "invalid cellphone number". In these days of compulsory pre-booking of everything by everyone - sure I'm not the only one to experience this?

Further input is most welcome!
Larz

Which number did you use? I just tried the number I found on their website (086 000 8888) and got a voicemail giving me their office hours so I assume it's working. The 086 number probably only works within South Africa though. Have you tried the other numbers on this page? https://www.shosholozameyl.co.za/contact.html

PS. Greyhound also now has the Dreamliner option with fully reclining seats - so that's great for long distance trips. I keep forgetting about it as I've haven't used it yet.

Thanks ghalied, but it's not their phone number that doesn't work - it's mine! They have an online booking option, but you have to give your phone number (and that of an emergeny contact as well) in order to complete the order form. This is where the process stops and the mysterious "invalid cellphone number" message appears. My guess is that you need a South African phone number in order to book tickets online.

I'm PM you my number in case you want to use it to book tickets.

I'm having the same problem trying to book a family set of tickets from EL to Jo'burg. 2 hours at it now. Have tried multiple cell phone formats.

HELP!!!!!!!

I'm afraid I can't help you - I eventually gave up on the trains and used Greyhound buses (recommended) instead. But at www.seat61.com you can find a reference to a travel agency that will book tickets for you. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply. I'll persevere and call them. Seat 61, amazing website.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.