Southern Line Tourism Route

The City of Cape Town has launched a new pilot tourism route, based on rail transport.  The new Southern Line Tourism Route, stretching from the Cape Town Central Business District (CBD) to Simon's Town, is a partnership project between the City of Cape Town, Cape Town Tourism and SARCC Metrorail. 

What is the Southern Line Tourism Route

This is a pilot tourist route and there are six main stations that have been earmarked to kick-off on this established - but not frequented - rail experience:

1. Cape Town Station
2. Observatory Station
3. Newlands Station
4. Muizenberg Station
5. Kalk Bay Station
6. Simon's Town Station

Each of these stations will display maps of the area, indicating tourist attractions and services.

Why Travel by Train?

There are few experiences in the world that rival the thrill of travelling by train along a rugged coast line while inhaling the freshest sea air and soaking in the sights.  The Southern Line boasts all of this coupled with convenience and ease of accessibility to major tourist attractions.

The route highlights the main attractions within a 2km radius of each of the stations mentioned. 

What is the intention of the route?

• rediscover the joys of train travel;
• explore major attractions and discover new ones within walking distance of the stations along the route;
• lesson motor vehicle congestion along one of Cape Town's most traveled routes; and
• create economic opportunities e.g. tour guides that do not have access to a vehicle can use the train to transport groups or individuals

What to do on the rail route?

CAPE TOWN CENTRAL STATION

City Centre Tourism office : The Pinnacle Building, cnr Burg and Castle Streets.
Tel : 021 487 6800

For details of what to see, what to do and how to get there, the best option is to make use of the Cape Town Tourism Visitor Information Centre situated on the corner of Burg and Castle Streets. 

OBSERVATORY STATION

Culture and Heritage

• The Transport Museum in the Groote Schuur Hospital
• The South African Astronomical Observatory

Eco and Nature

• The Liesbeek River Trail

Outdoor Activities

• City Rock
• Golfing

Gourmet Delights

• Within an easy walking distance from the station, a variety of restaurents are available - from sushi to Mexican.  Before you set out, remember to collect a restaurant map from Cape Town Tourism. 

NEWLANDS STATION

Culture and Heritage

• Montebello Design Centre
• Irma Stern Museum
• SA Rugby Museum
• Josephine Mill

Outdoor Active
Home to our famous cricket and rugby grounds, Newlands Rugby Stadium and Cricket Grounds are within easy walking distance from the station. Newlands Outdoor Swimming Pool is also within walking proximity. 

MUIZENBERG STATION

Cape Town Tourism office : The Pavillion, Beach Road (021 787 9140)

Culture and Heritage

• Het Posthuys
• Rhodes Cottage
• Battlement Open-Air Museum
• Muizenberg Village
• Lindbergh Arts Foundation
• Masque Theatre
• Postbox Theatre

Outdoor Active

• Surfing - Surfers Corner
• Walking - Muizenberg - St James Walkway
• Kite Surfing
• Putt-Putt
• Public Swimming Pool
• Angling

Gourmet Delights

• More than 10 restaurants and pubs are serving a variety of dishes from Levantine (Eastern Mediterranean) to Indian and German
• Don't forget to collect a restaurant map from the Cape Town Tourism office at Muizenberg

KALK BAY STATION

Culture & Heritage

• The Holy Trinity Church
• Kalk Bay Theatre

Outdoor Active

• Kalk Bay Reef

Cosmopolitan Vibe
Kalk Bay Main Road offers a variety of arts & crafts, pottery, clothing, curios and bric-a-brac shops set in old-world charm selling African art, curios, fabric, pottery and furniture.

SIMON'S TOWN STATION

Cape Town Tourism Office at 111 St George's Street, Simon's Town (021 786 5798)

Culture and Heritage

• Simons Town Museum
• Heritage Museum
• SA Naval Museum
• Church of St. Francis
• Martello Tower
• Jubilee Square
• Roman Rock Lighthouse
• Bronze Age Sculpture House and Bronze Age Art Foundry
• Mineral World

Eco and Nature

• Boulder's Penguin Colony
• Miller's Point
• Fisherman's Beach
• Seaforth Beach

Outdoor Active

• Harbour boat trips, sailing, sea-kayaking, big-game fishing
• The 9-hole Simons Town Golf Course

A wide range of seafood, French, family and deli cuisine is offered indoors, al fresco and on the Waterfront. 

TICKET INFORMATION

Purchase a Tourist Pass, Hop On, Hop Off Metroplus ticket, for the Southern Line and enjoy unlimited day trips between Cape Town and Simons Town.  The cost is R25 for a return ticket and R12 for a one-way ticket. 

NB: Tickets are only valid on the date of purchase and are not transferable.  Available for purchase from any station along the Southern Line or at the Cape Town Visitors Information Centre (Burg Streets).  The tickets are valid from 08:30 daily. 

For group travel with peace of mind, Victory Ticket offers secure, private carriages in off-peak hours.  The Victory Ticket Office is situated inside the Metrorail Information Centre at Cape Town Station (021 449 3018 or 083 726 7032 or 084 575 3982)

For more information on the train timetable consult www.capemetrorail.co.za or 0800 65 64 63.