Shosholoza Meyl Frequently Asked Questions                                                                   PayPal-Visa-MasterCard-Payment-Options  

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is the info on this site up-to-date?
Answer: This is the most up-to-date Tourist Class and Premier Classe info website on the Internet.

Question: When do seasonal rate increases apply?
Answer: Traditionally, seasonal rate increases are applied from the beginning of December to the middle of January every year. Implementation date this year was the 2nd of November 2011.

Question: Hi, can we take our pet with us on the train?
Answer: Shosholoza Meyl Tourist Class and Premier Classe can not accommodate pet travel.

Question: How do we get allocated compartments on Premier Classe?
Answer: Premier Classe offers family compartments for families with 2 small kids, 2 berth coupes and solo traveller coupes.

Question: What happens to my car keys when I leave the car for transportation on the train?
Answer: They are needed for us to drive the car onto the train and then get issued back with the car at the destination.

Question: Can someone else deliver and/or collect the car for me?
Answer: Yes certainly. All that is needed is a letter of authorisation with copy of the owner's ID.

Question: What is the difference between Tourist Class and Premier Classe?
Answer: Tourist Class is an economy sleeper train shared with economy seated train class travellers that stops in almost every city between the destinations and Premier CLasse is a long distance deluxe sleeper train service with an all inclusive food and beverage services, luxury ammenties, linen and more .... (see website for more details)

Question: How much luggage is allowed on the train?
Answer: 25kg p/adult fare on Premier Classe, excess to be booked in with the luggage compartment at +- R4 p/kg.

Question: Can I transport my car from Durban to Cape Town?
Answer: Not on a direct route. You would need to send the car from Durban to Johannesburg, sign it out in Johannesburg and then back onto the train from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

Question: Why was the Cape Town to Port Elizabeth route discontinued?
Answer: By our best knowledge, diesel engines had to be used for that route and the route simply wasn't busy enough to be profitable.

Question: Can we hire a car at the train station?
Answer: With your permission we can pass on your details to a preferred car hire supplier who will deal with you direct and deliver and collect a car to and from you at most train stations.

Question: Can one sleep on the train at the destination?
Answer: Only when specifically offered in a special package deal for select train tours such as the Cape Town Jazz Festival, Macufe Jazz Festival, Argus Cycle Race ...

Question: Can you assist with accommodation?
Answer: We certainly can in most cities and destinations nationwide at preferred rates.

Question: Can we stop in different cities on the way and carry on with the trip later on one ticket?
Answer: Only economy sleeper class stops in most cities on the way and you would have to book multiple tickets.

Question: Does Premier Classe offer any discounts?
Answer: Competitive priced, Premier Classe is a deluxe sleeper train with amenities and an all inclusive meals service package and does not offer senior citizen discounts nor group rate discounts.

 

Testimonials  more

Hello Bernice. I must say I have been pleasantly surprised by the ease and efficiency of your booking process and I will be sure to comment on the relevant trip advisor sites to that effect.
Kind Regards Beverley

 

Thank you Charmaine,
We are now back from our trip to Africa.
The train was fantastic. A great way to see country we would have otherwise just flown over.
Thank you for your part in our holiday.
Andrew & Kirsty Biddle

 

Hi Bernice, Thanks for a very efficient and convenient service. All went well and received my 4x4 happily on Friday. Thanks for your patience and explanations. Regards Greg

 

Hi Bernice. I would just like to say how much I enjoyed the train trip and the service was wonderful. I will recommend it to anyone coming to South Africa. A wonderful way to start my time here. Thanks so much for all your help with this. Chris Sutton

Hi Bernice,
We have just had the most wonderful experience travelling on the Shosholoza Meyl Premier Classe train from Cape Town to Johannesburg. Our accommodation, which included toiletries, slippers and the loan of white, fluffy gowns was superb. Tea, coffee and warm muffins were served in the Executive lounge on Cape Town station whilst our luggage and car were put onto the train. Lunch was a 3 course affair followed by mid-afternoon tea, coffee and cakes. Dinner, comprising of 5 courses was served with a choice of South Africa's top wines - what more could one wish for with the Karoo as your back-drop. Breakfast didn't disappoint either. The staff were most attentive and went out of their way to meet our every need. Upon arrival at Johannesburg (45 minutes before the scheduled time of arrival) our car was speedily off-loaded. We would certainly recommend travelling on the train both here and overseas - it brought back wonderful memories of train travel of a bye-gone era. R
osemary Kirchmann