Contrary to what you may have heard (and to what some white South Africans will tell you), taking the train is a civilised, safe and enjoyable way to travel between cities in South Africa.  There are several completely different train services.

South africa has the # 1 rated Luxury train in the wolrd Rovos rail, which you can see on my luxury site

at www.southafricaluxurytravel.com 

Trains
Spoornet is the para-statal railway which covers the routes between the major cities. It's by no means luxurious or fast, but it's reasonably comfortable, clean and safe, and offers a relaxed way to see new parts of the country.

For real luxury, though, you have to try one of the world's most luxurious railways, the Blue Train, which runs a number of routes within South Africa, and some further afield.

Another great upmarket option is Rovos Rail, which operates beautifully restored, spacious, Edwardian-era carriages, which are drawn by steam locomotives for part of the trip.

But for the real railway enthusiast, there is no better choice than the Union Steam Ltd. These beautifully restored carriages are the original Blue Train – but in those days, there was only one bathroom per carriage. Although there are small concessions to modern taste, such as gas cooking instead of coal, everything – down to the uniforms and cutlery – is as it would have been 50 years ago.

For short scenic trips, you could try the Banana Express on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, the Apple Express out of Port Elizabeth, or the usually steam-driven Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe.
Cape Town is probably the only city where you would consider taking the commuter train, and then only really to enjoy the view between Muizenberg and Simonstown as the railway hugs the rocky shoreline.

The Blue Train:  A world-famous luxury train from Cape Town to Pretoria once or twice a week. It's the most famous train in South Africa, and one of the most famous trains in the world.  South Africa's 'Blue Train' links Cape Town with Pretoria once or twice a week, year round.  However, The Blue Train is definitely the most luxurious way to travel between these two cities, and if you do choose to splurge, you will not be disappointed..!

A bit of history...
A fast train called the 'Union Express' northbound and the 'Union Limited' southbound was introduced in 1923, to link the Union Castle steamers arriving at Cape Town from Southampton with the gold fields of Jo'burg and the Transvaal capital at Pretoria.  The original wooden coaches were replaced in 1937 with steel coaches built in Birmingham and painted a smart blue.  Before long, the train became known colloquially as 'that blue train', and its name was changed officially to 'The Blue Train' in 1946.  Two new sets of coaches were built for the Blue Train in 1972, and both of these were beautifully refurbished in 1997.  You travel in one of these two trainsets today - the other was damaged in a collision in October 2005 and has not been repaired.  The Blue Train is still run by the South African Railways ('Spoornet'), but it is now a separate business unit, due for privatisation...

On board The Blue Train:
The Blue Train offers two types of room:  'De luxe' compartments have either a double bed or two single beds and en suite shower or small bath.  'Luxury' compartments, costing about £50 more per person, are almost identical, but have a full size bath (yes, really..) and a video.  The train has a dining car and two lounge cars (one smoking, one non-smoking) and one of the two trainsets has an observation car at the rear, allowing you to look back along the line.

Meals and drinks (and even Montecristo Havana cigars..!) are included in the fare, and there is an extensive list of South African wines available.  You probably won't be able to drink £450-worth before you reach Pretoria, but you can have a dam' good try...

The Blue Train timetable:
The Blue Train leaves Cape Town at 11:00 about 5 times each month, arriving in Pretoria at 13:45 the following day.  This includes a one-hour visit to the 19th century health resort of Matjiesfontein in the heart of the Karoo.  The train no longer serves Johannesburg, as few tourists want to go there because of its security problems.  Southbound, it leaves Pretoria 4 or 5 times a month at 08:50 arriving in Cape Town at 12:00 the following day.  The Southbound trip includes a stop at Kimberley for a tour of the Kimberley 'big hole' mining museum.  The train ran 2 or 3 times a week before the collision in late 2005 which damaged one of the two sets of coaches used to run the service.  The Blue Train rolling stock is also used to run irregular rail cruises, usually monthly from Pretoria to Victoria Falls, and also on a couple of other scenic routes within South Africa.

Shosholoza Meyl tourist & economy class trains:  South Africa's cheap and safe long-distance passenger trains are one of South Africa's best-kept travel secrets.  Cape Town to Johannesburg takes just over 24 hours, passes exactly the same wonderful scenery as the expensive Blue Train, but costs much less. Durban to Johannesburg is even cheaper.  Shosholoza Meyl's tourist class trains have comfortable modernised sleeping-cars and a restaurant car.  The sleepers even have hot showers at the end of the corridor..!  A great alternative to flying and not seeing anything, or the nightmare of being stuck in a long-distance bus seat for whole days and nights.  Shosholoza Meyl also offer Economy Class with ordinary seats.  Shosholoza Meyl routes, train times, fares & how to buy tickets.

Premier Classe:  An affordable twice-a-week deluxe service between Cape Town & Johannesburg, previously attached to the regular Shosholoza Meyl 'Trans Karoo', but from May 2006 run as a separate train.   Metro trains:  Suburban trains around the big cities, run by Spoornet's Metro Rail division.  Metro trains are not safe around Johannesburg (which is why some South Africans will incorrectly tell you that all South African trains are unsafe), but with common sense they can be used around Cape Town to reach Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Simonstown.  .

Cruise trains:  There are several all-inclusive 'cruise' trains run by companies like Rovos Rail or Shongololo.  Major cities in South Africa are linked by comfortable, inexpensive and safe long-distance passenger trains run by Shosholoza Meyl, part of South African Railways (Spoornet) previously known as Main Line Passenger Services.  These trains are a great way to travel if you want to see South Africa comfortably and affordably at ground level, without spending whole days and nights in a bus seat.

In July 2006, Shosholoza Meyl split its trains into two separate types:  Tourist class trains consist exclusively of sleeping cars (2- & 4-berth, 3- & 6-berth) and a restaurant car serving meals, snacks, beer and wine.  The sleepers even have hot showers at the end of the corridor..!  Economy class trains consist of  sitter class seats and sometimes a restaurant car.

Shosholoza Meyl tourist class trains have:

Tourist class 'Sleeper-4' (formerly 1st class): 4-berth rooms known as 'compartments' and smaller 2-berth rooms known as 'coupés'.  See the coach layout at spoornet.co.za for a 3D plan & pictures.  Each compartment has basic leatherette bench seats which convert to bunks at night, and a washbasin with hot and cold water.  Bedding is provided for a small extra charge (20 Rand - £1.70) and expertly made up for you in the evening by the train attendant.  Each sleeping-car has a hot shower at the end of the corridor, with lockable shower cubicle & changing area - bring your own soap & towel.  The coaches are not air-conditioned, so the windows open for a superb view of the countryside.  A metal / mesh screen is provided for use at night to allow cool air in.  Two passengers travelling together will normally be booked into a 2-berth coupé, a solo traveller will normally be booked into a 4-berth compartment with passengers of the same sex.  The price is the same.  If you pay for two tickets (quite affordable, given the fare) you can have sole occupancy of a coupé.

Tourist class 'Sleeper-6' (formerly 2nd class) is identical to Sleeper-4 (1st class) except there are 6 berths per compartment and 3 berths per coupé.  See the coach layout at spoornet.co.za for a 3D plan & pictures.

Restaurant car:  Serving snacks, drinks and affordable complete meals.  Catering been sub-contracted to caterers such as BJ's, the South African equivalent of Wimpy.  However, a full English 'Farmhouse breakfast' hits the spot in the morning, and a wine list is available for something to go with you lunch or dinner.  The food is not expensive, even by South African standards.  Restaurant car staff also come down the train to sell tea and coffee to you at your seat.