Retreat (A 17)

Name: Retreat

The rail trip from the central business district of Cape Town all the way through to Simon’s Town takes about an hour and a quarter, and takes you through a fascinating, ever-changing landscape.

From the semi-industrial inner-city areas of Woodstock and Salt River, through to the quirky suburbs of Observatory, Mowbray, Rosebank and Rondebosch, you then head through to Newlands, Claremont, Harfield, Kenilworth, and on to Wynberg, Plumstead and Diep River.

The train ride takes you through Steenberg, Retreat, Lakeside and then, once you pass Muizenberg, you can look out of the train window and you feel like you’re riding on the sea – it’s an amazing juxtaposition, with the Cape Town trains on one side and the beautiful ocean rolling outside the window.

Metrorail’s Hop on Hop Off Ticket (a daily pass) allows train trippers to visit various attractions along the Southern Rail Route – hop off at Newlands to visit the SA Rugby Museum, hop off at Muizenberg for a surfing lesson or Kalk Bay for an ice-cream as you make your way South to the final destination, Simon’s Town.

The Hop On Hop Off ticket operates between 10h00 and 16h00 and is best enjoyed with a bunch of friends (Capetonians are very friendly!) or a Chaperone service. They’ll know all the good spots to stop. The same safety precautions for visitors apply to train travel, so don’t flash those cameras around too much, but do take advantage of the many photo ops along the route.

Contact Cape Town Tourism for a map, great local information, recommended guides and suggested restaurants, beaches and activities.


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Unique budget accommodation in 10 vintage railway coaches. The coaches are original and completed their service with the Rhodesian railway in 1950 and are now fully revamped to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Central to the Cape Town's city centre and great views of the mountain with swimming pool, restaurant, bar, braai/barbecue area, television lounges, pool tables, a travel centre and internet café.


The accommodation is in 2-and 4- berth compartments where you can opt for a choice of single or single and double bed cabins. Bathroom facilities have been built behind and separate from the coaches. They have been designed to be easily accessible and private. We have one cocktail lounge with two flat screen televisions with DSTV (satellite television) a swimming pool, braai / bbq area and pool tables. Our pride and joy is our restaurant situated in one of the coaches. Here you can experience our delicious food from our a la carte menu we are open for breakfast, lunch and supper.

http://www.trainlodge.co.za/