The Insider's Guide to Cape Town Station
A local logistics guide for passengers arriving or departing on Rovos Rail and The Blue Train.
Local Knowledge The SA Travel Online Advantage
As Cape Town locals, we frequently watch the green carriages of Rovos Rail and the iconic blue of The Blue Train glide into the Mother City. Cape Town Station is a massive, bustling transport hub serving hundreds of thousands of daily commuters, which can feel intimidating for first-time international visitors.
However, the luxury train departures are completely isolated from the daily commuter rush. We have built this guide so you know exactly where to go, how to meet your porters, and how to transition from the train to your hotel seamlessly.
Quick Jump Menu
Navigating to the VIP Lounges
Both Rovos Rail and The Blue Train operate from the secure, dedicated sections of the station - typically Platform 24 (and occasionally Platform 23).
Where to instruct your driver to drop you off
CRITICAL: Do not let your driver drop you off at the main commuter concourse on Adderley Street.
Your driver must take you to the Old Marine Drive entrance. Access to this secure road is via Hertzog Boulevard, turning into Civic Avenue.
Upon arriving at Old Marine Drive, your vehicle will be met by a security boom gate. Your driver simply needs to inform the guards that they are doing a luxury drop-off for Rovos Rail or The Blue Train, and they will be granted access to the designated VIP parking area right outside the lounges.
Luggage & Porters
From the moment your vehicle stops at the VIP zone, your holiday begins. Official train staff will immediately meet your vehicle with brass luggage trolleys. Once you hand over your heavy bags to the porters and they are tagged with your suite number, you will not see them again until you step into your private suite on board.
The Pre-Departure Coffee Strategy
Departures are usually scheduled for the mid-morning, requiring check-in around 10:00.
In the Station Lounges
Both train operators offer fantastic pre-departure lounges. You will be checked in personally and immediately offered excellent South African sparkling wine (Cap Classique), high-end teas, coffees, and elegant breakfast canapés while a string quartet or live musician plays softly in the background.
The Local Coffee Secret
If you are a serious coffee aficionado and want to experience Cape Town's world-famous coffee culture before boarding, ask your driver to swing by Truth Coffee Roasting on Buitenkant Street on your way to the station.
Voted one of the best coffee shops in the world by the Daily Telegraph, their steampunk-themed roastery pulls a phenomenal flat white. It is located just 5 minutes away from the VIP entrance of the station.
Arriving in the Mother City
Southbound trains typically pull into Cape Town Station around 18:00 on the final day of your journey.
⚠️ Important Arrival Warning
Because the luxury trains share the South African rail network with commercial freight, delays on the southbound journey are common. Never book an onward international or domestic flight out of Cape Town International Airport (CPT) on the same evening you are scheduled to arrive. Always book a minimum of one night at a Cape Town hotel.
Post-Trip Transfers & Travel Times
When you disembark at Platform 24, the VIP parking area will be filled with waiting transfer vehicles.
- Reliable Transfers: Do not rely on hailing a metered taxi off the street outside the main station concourse. We strongly advise pre-booking a private chauffeur or utilizing Uber Black for a seamless, premium exit from the city centre.
Expected Travel Times from the Station (Traffic Dependent):
- V&A Waterfront: 10 - 15 minutes.
- Camps Bay / Bantry Bay: 20 - 30 minutes (a stunning drive up and over Kloof Nek).
- The Cape Winelands (Franschhoek / Stellenbosch): 45 - 60 minutes via the N1 highway.