Ceres Rail has grown a loyal following for its full-day steam train adventures exploring the winelands beyond Cape Town. Now they’re bringing this vintage charm to the city with a new Explorer’s journey from the Waterfront to Simon’s Town on the shores of False Bay.
Almost six years after the last sightseeing steam train ran on the route, Ceres Rail will reboot this enormously scenic journey on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The Explorer’s Train leaves from the railway siding alongside the AC Hotel by Marriot in the harbour precinct at 9 am, before steaming out through the suburbs of Cape Town to deliver views of Table Mountain and the Constantiaberg.
But the highlight comes at Muizenberg where the commuter railway line runs just metres from the ocean. It’s one of the world’s most scenic railway lines, and the vintage loco will slowly chuff its way along the coastline, travelling through the seaside suburbs of Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Glencairn before arriving in the historic naval village of Simon’s Town at around 11.30 am.
From Simons’ Town railway station, it is an easy one-kilometre walk into town, where passengers will have a few hours to discover the Naval Museum and the history of ‘Just Nuisance’, or perhaps hop on a harbour tour. The harbour precinct and quaint Main Road are filled with cafés and restaurants for lunch, or seek out traditional fish and chips from the Salty Sea Dog on the quayside before the return journey back to Cape Town. The train departs Simon’s Town at 3 pm.
While this new coastal journey is sure to be a hit with steam-loving locals, the good news is that Ceres Rail is also working on several other journeys in the Explorer’s series, so watch this space!
Ticket bookings via the Ceres Rail website.
Fares range from:
- Lounge Seating: R799 per seat
- Day Sitter seating: R575 per adult, R450 per child, R500 per pensioner (60 and over)
- Observation Car Seating: R899 per seat
Fancy a dip? False Bay is home to some of the Best Tidal Pools in Cape Town!