Take the Coastal Train to Simon’s Town: A Scenic Day Trip Guide

Ride Cape Town’s most photogenic rail line along False Bay to Simon’s Town. Get current service pointers, the best hop‑offs, safety and seating tips, and what to do at the terminus.

Take the Coastal Train to Simon’s Town: A Scenic Day Trip Guide

Why this train ride belongs on your Cape Town itinerary

There’s a moment as the Metrorail Southern Line slips past Muizenberg: the tracks tighten to the shoreline, the sea opens up like a blue runway, and the train glides beside tidal pools and fishing boats. This is Cape Town’s coastal railway, an affordable, panoramic way to trace False Bay all the way to Simon’s Town—gateway to beaches, penguins, and a proud naval history. It’s local, scenic, and surprisingly simple to do in a day, with plenty of places to hop off for coffee, swims, and seafood.

This guide gives you up‑to‑date service advice, the best seats for views, smart safety habits, and a stop‑by‑stop plan—plus what to see and eat when you reach the terminus.

Is the Simon’s Town train running? The 2026 snapshot

Service on Cape Town’s Metrorail network has been improving, but schedules can shift. The Southern Line to Simon’s Town generally operates daily with a reduced but regular timetable outside of peak commuter hours. Trains sometimes terminate at Fish Hoek during maintenance or disruptions; a short rideshare hop completes the final 3 stops to Simon’s Town when that happens.

How to check before you go:
- Look for “Metrorail Western Cape” notices on their official site or social channels on the morning of travel.
- At Cape Town Station, staff can confirm the day’s terminus (Simon’s Town or Fish Hoek) and next departures.
- Expect end‑to‑end journey times of roughly 60–80 minutes, depending on dwell times and whether you pause at intermediate stops.

Tickets and payment:
- Buy a same‑day single or return at Cape Town Station ticket windows. Card is usually accepted; carry a small amount of cash as backup.
- Fares are budget‑friendly and a fraction of a taxi ride. If a tourist day pass is on offer, it’s worth it for unlimited hop‑offs in one day along the Southern Line.

When to ride:
- Best window for visitors: start after the commuter rush (around 09:30–10:30) and return before dusk. Weekends are relaxed and full of beach‑bound families.

Where to sit and how to ride comfortably (and safely)

  • Nab the sea view: sit on the left‑hand side when heading south to Simon’s Town, and on the right when returning to Cape Town.
  • Choose a busy carriage: pick a coach with other travelers, families, and a steady flow of people. Avoid empty carriages.
  • Keep it hands‑free: carry a small cross‑body bag zipped shut; keep phones out of open carriage doors and windows.
  • Door sense: South African trains may ride with doors open in warm weather. Stand well inside, feet clear of thresholds.
  • Travel in small groups when possible, and stick to stations with active foot traffic.

A simple day plan with scenic hop‑offs

Use this as a framework; trim or expand based on your pace and the day’s timetable.
1) 09:45 Depart Cape Town Station. Settle on the left for sea views.
2) Hop off at Muizenberg for coffee and a beachfront leg‑stretch (30–45 min).
3) Ride one stop to St James or two to Kalk Bay for tidal pools and harbor snacks (60–90 min).
4) Continue to Fish Hoek for a calm‑water swim or an easy beachfront stroll (30–60 min).
5) Roll into Simon’s Town for lunch and an afternoon of naval heritage and beaches (2.5–3.5 hours).
6) Aim for a late‑afternoon return, reaching the city before dark.

The best Southern Line stops (and what to do)

- Muizenberg
- What it’s known for: long sandy beach, warmish False Bay water, surf schools, colorful huts at Surfers Corner.
- Do: coffee and pastries at one of the beachfront cafés; hire a soft‑top surfboard; walk the seaside catwalk toward St James.
- Good to know: lively, friendly, and great in the morning. Wind can pick up in the afternoon in summer.

- St James
- What it’s known for: the photogenic row of rainbow bathing boxes and a family‑friendly tidal pool.
- Do: a quick swim in the tidal pool; photos of the boxes; continue the coastal walkway to Kalk Bay.
- Good to know: space is limited; arrive earlier on hot days.

- Kalk Bay
- What it’s known for: indie boutiques, galleries, fishing harbor, and one of the Cape’s best café strips.
- Do: harbor fish‑and‑chips with seals lounging nearby, gelato on the pier, browse small stores along Main Road.
- Swim: Dalebrook Tidal Pool (a 7–10 minute walk) is gorgeous at mid‑tide.
- Eating ideas: Olympia Café for baked goods, The Brass Bell for sea‑spray views, or a simple parcel of hake and chips seaside.

- Fish Hoek
- What it’s known for: one of the peninsula’s safest swimming beaches with calm, family‑friendly water.
- Do: beach stroll on the paved catwalk toward Sunny Cove; swim between the flags; grab a takeaway coffee and sit on the grass.
- Good to know: station is a level walk to the sand. Great fallback swim if the wind chops up other spots.

- Glencairn
- What it’s known for: quieter sands, a classic tidal pool, and a wetland boardwalk behind the beach.
- Do: a quick dip; birdwatching in the estuary; sundowner photos with mountain and sea.

Rolling into the terminus: Simon’s Town highlights

Step onto the platform and you’re a short, scenic walk from beaches, bobbing yachts, and streets lined with Victorian and Cape Dutch façades. Here’s how to spend a rewarding few hours:

Beaches within reach
- Seaforth Beach: A sheltered cove good for families and a common penguin hangout. Soft sand, gentle gradient, and lifeguards in season.
- Boulders Beach (via the boardwalks): Famous for its African penguin colony and clear, granite‑framed coves. Arrive early or late day for fewer people; respect the animals’ space. If you prefer a free peek, the boardwalk viewpoints deliver great sightings without entering the main beach area.
- Water’s Edge: A lesser‑known cove between Seaforth and Boulders; lovely for a quiet sit when the tide is right.

Cafés and easy lunches
- Quayside stands at Jubilee Square and along the harbor beckon with fresh seafood and harbor views.
- Treats and coffee: hunt down a local bakery for pastries, or settle into a sidewalk table on St George’s Street for people‑watching.

Naval history and small museums
- South African Navy Museum: Exhibits span model ships, naval aviation, submarine operations, and local maritime heritage. It’s an excellent primer on how Simon’s Town evolved into a key base.
- Just Nuisance statue and story: Learn about the beloved Great Dane enlisted by the Royal Navy during WWII. His memorial stands on Jubilee Square.
- Warrior Toy Museum: A nostalgic stop with model ships, cars, and figurines—fun with kids and for the young at heart.
- Submarine and harbor heritage: If special tours are running, they’re well worth booking in advance. Check current availability and hours locally.

Adventure by the water
- Sea‑kayaking from the harbor puts you eye‑level with kelp forests, cormorants, and sometimes penguins in the bay.
- Snorkeling the “Great African Sea Forest” with a guide reveals kelp‑canopy light shafts, shy reef fish, and the occasional playful sea mammal. Bring a warm layer for after.

Practical tips that make the day smoother

- Packing list
- Light layers: mornings can be cool even in summer; False Bay breezes rise in the afternoon.
- Sun kit: hat, sunscreen, and a compact towel if you plan to swim.
- Footwear: comfortable walking shoes or sandals with grip for harbor and boardwalks.
- Small daypack: keep hands free in trains and on platforms.

- Timing
- Start just after peak and return before dark.
- Build slack time: coastal cafés and tidal pools can tempt you to linger. Trains generally run at set intervals; missing one is no crisis.

- Accessibility
- Many stations have stairs and uneven gaps between train and platform; prams and wheelchairs may need assistance.
- Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town are among the more accessible stops for level beach access.

- Families
- Pick tidal pools (St James, Dalebrook, Glencairn) or Fish Hoek beach for kid‑friendly water.
- Keep a simple picnic ready; shade can be limited on the sand.

If service truncates at Fish Hoek: your Plan B

On days when trains turn around at Fish Hoek, it’s still easy to reach Simon’s Town:
- Take a rideshare (about 10–15 minutes) from Fish Hoek Station to Jubilee Square in Simon’s Town.
- For hop‑offs on the way back, rideshare short hops between Simon’s Town, Glencairn, and Kalk Bay, then rejoin the train.
- Returning late? Consider a direct rideshare back to your base rather than waiting on a quiet platform after dark.

A note on food, swims, and seasons

  • Summer: long beach days and warm water, but the wind (the Cape Doctor) can roar after lunch. Swim and photograph earlier; café and museum time later.
  • Shoulder seasons (spring/autumn): often the sweet spot—milder wind, sunny days, good visibility for water activities.
  • Winter: crisp air, fewer crowds, dramatic surf, and excellent whale‑spotting chances in the bay. Carry a warm layer.

Where to base yourself for an easy departure

Frequently asked questions

  • How long is the ride? About 60–80 minutes from Cape Town to Simon’s Town, depending on the day’s stopping pattern and dwell times.
  • Which side should I sit on? Left going south for sea views; right returning north.
  • Is it safe? Ride in daylight, choose busier carriages, keep valuables discreet, and avoid empty stations after dark. Many visitors and families ride this line on weekends.
  • Can I swim along the way? Yes. The safest and calmest spots are tidal pools (St James, Dalebrook, Glencairn) and Fish Hoek’s main beach.
  • Do I need cash? Card usually works at major ticket windows and cafés, but carry small cash for simple purchases or in case of power glitches.

The coastal train, distilled

This is a quintessential Cape Town day out: salt spray on the windows, gulls shadowing the surf, and a string of authentic neighborhoods stitched together by a century‑old line. With a quick morning check of the timetable, a left‑side seat, and a playful plan to hop off where the sea is shining, you’ll be in Simon’s Town by lunchtime—and home again with sand between your toes and a camera roll full of False Bay blues.