The Mother City in South Africa is one of the country's and indeed the world's favorite travel destinations. It is breathtakingly beautiful and the weather is perfect. There are great beaches and lots of adventure. Capetonians are diverse and interesting people and to meet them and have a more fulfilling visit, you may want to consider touring Cape Town by commuter train.
Cape Town has an extensive rail system for an African city. Taking the train is a popular mode of transport for many Capetonians, since it's cheap and a great way to avoid the notorious rush-hour traffic. The city is big and there are train lines serving different areas, from the suburbs near the City Bowl to the townships further afield on the Cape Flats. You can even take the train to the beautiful wine region of the Boland. For visitors, one of the most unforgettable journeys is the Southern Line to Simon's Town.
The Southern Line runs from the city center south to the quaint village of Simon's Town, known for its naval base. The route is considered one of the most scenic railway lines in the world. You get to see the lovely Victorian houses of the Southern Suburbs but the best part starts at Muizenberg. Here you start traveling right along the coastline, with the sea spray sometimes coming in through the windows. Seals are a common sight and from about June to September you even have a good chance to spot whales from your carriage window.
The trains have two traveling classes. They're informally called 'first class' and 'third class', a throwback to the days when only white people could travel in first and second class and the majority of the city's inhabitants had to travel in third-class carriages. Even today, the majority of travelers in the first-class carriages are white. A third-class ticket, however, will allow you to meet Capetonians from all walks of life.
Many people say that the trains aren't safe. This is not true. At night it is more dangerous but during the day, the majority of people traveling in the third-class carriages are simply commuters going to work or home.
What makes third-class travel so much more interesting is everything you'll experience during the trip. Lay preachers are a common sight and no journey is complete without vendors coming through and selling everything from crisps to socks. It's not unheard of for buskers to get on board and everyone in the carriage spontaneously dancing to the music either.
Outside nearly every station you'll find some minibus taxis waiting to take commuters further. These taxis are a truly African experience too. When you reach Simon's Town, flag down a taxi to take you to Boulders Beach, where you can swim among African penguins.
There are some instances when a car is your most convenient mode of transport for seeing the Mother City. A popular outing is to rent a car and drive along Chapman's Peak Drive to Cape Point, for example. However, the public transport system is the best way to really get under the skin of the city and its friendly people.
Cape Town has an extensive rail system for an African city. Taking the train is a popular mode of transport for many Capetonians, since it's cheap and a great way to avoid the notorious rush-hour traffic. The city is big and there are train lines serving different areas, from the suburbs near the City Bowl to the townships further afield on the Cape Flats. You can even take the train to the beautiful wine region of the Boland. For visitors, one of the most unforgettable journeys is the Southern Line to Simon's Town.
The Southern Line runs from the city center south to the quaint village of Simon's Town, known for its naval base. The route is considered one of the most scenic railway lines in the world. You get to see the lovely Victorian houses of the Southern Suburbs but the best part starts at Muizenberg. Here you start traveling right along the coastline, with the sea spray sometimes coming in through the windows. Seals are a common sight and from about June to September you even have a good chance to spot whales from your carriage window.
The trains have two traveling classes. They're informally called 'first class' and 'third class', a throwback to the days when only white people could travel in first and second class and the majority of the city's inhabitants had to travel in third-class carriages. Even today, the majority of travelers in the first-class carriages are white. A third-class ticket, however, will allow you to meet Capetonians from all walks of life.
Many people say that the trains aren't safe. This is not true. At night it is more dangerous but during the day, the majority of people traveling in the third-class carriages are simply commuters going to work or home.
What makes third-class travel so much more interesting is everything you'll experience during the trip. Lay preachers are a common sight and no journey is complete without vendors coming through and selling everything from crisps to socks. It's not unheard of for buskers to get on board and everyone in the carriage spontaneously dancing to the music either.
Outside nearly every station you'll find some minibus taxis waiting to take commuters further. These taxis are a truly African experience too. When you reach Simon's Town, flag down a taxi to take you to Boulders Beach, where you can swim among African penguins.
There are some instances when a car is your most convenient mode of transport for seeing the Mother City. A popular outing is to rent a car and drive along Chapman's Peak Drive to Cape Point, for example. However, the public transport system is the best way to really get under the skin of the city and its friendly people.
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