South Africa's Mother City is one of the most popular destinations on the African continent. It boasts attractions like Table Mountain and Robben Island, a perfect Mediterranean climate and stunning natural surroundings along with a cosmopolitan culture and a great tourist infrastructure. There are many ways to get around but for a colorful experience, try touring Cape Town by 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 serves the city's Southern Suburbs, the False Bay area and the Peninsula. At first you travel through industrial areas and then through quaint suburbs such as Observatory and Rondebosch with their Victorian houses. At Muizenberg the line becomes one of the most scenic in the world, going along the coast all the way to Simon's Town. On windy days the spray from the ocean hits the train and at times you may feel as if you're traveling on the water or across the beach. You may see seals, dolphins and even whales along the way.
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.
The trains do not serve every nook and cranny of the city. However, at most stations you'll find minibus taxis that will take you further to your destination and are a fascinating mode of transport too. At Simon's Town, for instance, take the taxi to Boulders Beach to see the colony of African penguins. You can even swim among them.
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 serves the city's Southern Suburbs, the False Bay area and the Peninsula. At first you travel through industrial areas and then through quaint suburbs such as Observatory and Rondebosch with their Victorian houses. At Muizenberg the line becomes one of the most scenic in the world, going along the coast all the way to Simon's Town. On windy days the spray from the ocean hits the train and at times you may feel as if you're traveling on the water or across the beach. You may see seals, dolphins and even whales along the way.
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.
The trains do not serve every nook and cranny of the city. However, at most stations you'll find minibus taxis that will take you further to your destination and are a fascinating mode of transport too. At Simon's Town, for instance, take the taxi to Boulders Beach to see the colony of African penguins. You can even swim among them.
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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