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.
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
-…