Is train between Cape Town to Simons Town safe for tourists?

Answer 1

Until March last year I used to travel that line everyday to work and back. The journey is fine during daylight hours, especially at peak times when there are a lot of people (mostly women) on the train, but as a tourist, travel in a group and NEVER get into an empty carriage by yourself if you don't want to be mugged at the next stop. Otherwise hope you have a great time in a great city. Oh, and to the people who haven't been there recently, there are no regular buses that go all the way from the centre of Cape Town through to Simonstown, but you can go on a tourist coach tour if that is your scene. Go to the Tourist Information Centre either in the Waterfront or in Castle Street (one block up from Woolworths) to get details of the coach trips.

Answer 2

To those of you that have answered that you have crime everywhere. You are correct the difference is that South Africa had 21,000 murders ( that is 10 times as many as soldiers killed in Iraq so far) last year alone, every country in Europe count their murders in hundreds. I am from Cape town and would not use that train. Anyway , once you get there it would be better to have a car.
You can still have a good holiday there but you must be carefull.
Last week there was a shootout between bank robbers and security in a busy shopping centre in Cape Town, a woman outside a shop was hit.

PS wrong day to ask this question, just today there was a train crash in Cape Town killing 20 people. Though this does not happen everyday.

Answer 3

Here's the thing, The train ride from Cape Town to Simonstown especially the last half from Muizenberg to Simonstown is one of the most scenic runs that I have ever done.

Be street wise like anywhere in the world don't be ostentatious and don't go looking for trouble.

Now the train ride. ride 1st class. When you get into the train especially traveling towards Simonstown you need to sit on the left hand side of the train.

Be alert and you will have the time of your life, the rail tracks are built right on the edge of the water on the coastal rocks so it appears that you are going to be in the water at some places. Wonderful.

When you get to Simonstown make sure you have a stroll through the town. It used to be the British navel harbor before independence and almost the whole village is built in colonial style. The SA navy have mooring there now but also a great yacht marina. Loads of fun shops to visit etc.

A great day out. Enjoy.

Answer 4

I travelled by train from Cape Town to Simons Town in the early hours back in 1969 and had no trouble.

Answer 5

Took that very train 2 years ago and had no trouble. Just use normal 'city' precautions such as keeping a close eye on valuables, and carrying any bags across your front rather than on your back. Use a money belt, and further attach it to you with large paper clips. The train can get very crowded, especially during rush hour around Salt River and that is when you might encounter pick pocketing. Generally though, the train is safe, as is Cape Town.

Answer 6

As long as you are sensible and go at times when there are a lot of people on the train you will have no trouble at all. Simonstown is great, but you would be better to hire a car and go all the way to Cape Point as well. Also try Hermanus as the Whales there are amazing and you can see them from the shore easily.

Answer 7

not something annoys South Africans extra then asking if their liked house is risk-free or not, so do not walk around paranoid or we will rob you merely in view which you look so ignorant. So study some highway smarts, and it is normally as risk-free as the different place, you be attentive to with your terrorists and such. Captonians (human beings from Cape city) are very friendly, we are ranked first on trip consultant as a vacationer trip spot, infrequently possibly if we've been a team of savages?? We even beat Australia. do not bypass to casual settlements which would be stupid, carry on with wine-farms, table-mountain, the waterfront etc. do not dress like a vacationer, we on no account placed on all Khaki and you will mixture in. Cape city is extremely metropolitan.

Answer 8

Quite honestly, in my opinion-I would not take any train in South Africa because at the moment public transport is not something they try to improve which includes the security on the trains, and yes, there have been numerous amount of robberies and fightings on the trains including very recently where they would throw people out of the moving trains. My advice would not be to take the train.

Answer 9

I promise you, it is an enjoyable trip. Have fun, you will really enjoy I know, it is really good. I wish i were you and go there agina. No need to feel unsafe as it the train is safe on its own, but of course, there still has to be security, just like anywhere in the world.

Have fun!

Answer 10

i'm from South Africa, and the media does wonders for sensationalizing our problems, when i came here to the uk 6 years ago (to teach) to experience racism, criminal teenagers, super bitchy women in essex...u name it.
simon's town is a lovely area, make sure you travel first class if you must take the train, make sure its during peak hours, not at a late or too early hour of the day. i would hire a car probably, or take a bus, i used to feel much safer on a bus, i lived there 30 years of my life, i've never had a hair on my hair hurt by anyone, but i have been mugged on an extremely busy train, same as could happen anywhere, it was in the news recently that 4 boys robbed another boy of his mobile and money on 31st october, dressed up as halloween partgoers, all this here in the "great" uk...