Steam Train to Elgin: Scenic Railway Adventure in a Beautiful Country

Embark on a scenic railway adventure on the steam train to Elgin. Enjoy the beautiful country scenery while indulging in activities like mingling in the bar, reading a book, and soaking in the soothing sounds of the rail.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Table Mountain - Travelers will glide by Table Mountain as they depart Cape Town by steam train, able to see the massive mountain in all its glory in the morning, and evening light. Train ride will take 7 hours going to Elgin railwamarket and going back.
  • Sir Lowry’s Pass - The majestic Sir Lowry’s Pass stretches to 417 m above sea level; no…
What's Included
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Rail Ticket (return trip)
  • On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
  • Food, Drinks, and Coffee (available onboard at extra cost)
  • Transfers to/from Departure Point
Additional Information

Trains hold a certain inexplicable charm – it’s no surprise they serve as the backdrop for romantic encounters, whodunit tales and intricate burglaries. Perhaps it’s their ceaseless forward drive; the closeness of the limited space, or the thrill and expectancy they incite.
Nestled in an already picturesque nation, the overwhelming magnetism of the…

Location
Ceres Rail Company
Dockrail Road
The rail platform running alongside Dockrail Road is the meeting point.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(480 Ratings)
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1 star
Mlthomasvet
Dec 9, 2025
Bs gals year end - Dottie was amazing and everyone very friendly. The service was awesome. Loads of info. I lije the watts App communication
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tershiaw2025
Dec 9, 2025
A relaxing train ride with beautiful landscapes along the way - The train journey was an absolutely incredible experience, with ever-changing, breathtaking scenery along the way. The staff were warm, kind-hearted, and welcoming, making the trip even more enjoyable. The train was comfortably packed—not overcrowded, allowing for a relaxed and pleasant ride. Highlights for me were definitely the food and bar services in carriages 1, 7, and 11, which added a special touch to the journey. I would wholeheartedly recommend this experience and can’t wait to do it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway52320115784
Dec 6, 2025
Great experience - Phenomenal service and super cool ride. Enjoyed the all round service and transparency from staff. Very punctual and informative, the market was great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roving32286205407
Dec 6, 2025
Awesome - We had an awesome experience. The staff especially Dottie our coach host was very friendly , knowledgable and helpful. Our family would definitely book another trip with the Ceres Railway company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Go48228803676
Dec 6, 2025
Absolute Fabulous! - Absolutely loved the experience from the checkin, to Bernie our supervisor/guide to the lovely train ride , the market was cute and again the ride back to the city was lovely. Would love to return sometime in the near future
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Andreasimon2022
Dec 9, 2025
If you enjoy train journeys this is a great day out………. - This event is promoted as a “Steam Engine” experience; however, the actual steam engine is currently undergoing essential repairs and is not expected to be operational until March/April 2026. While this was disappointing, it did not detract significantly from the overall journey. Our departure from Cape Town was delayed by 30 minutes, and we arrived at the Elgin Market at 12:15, with a scheduled return at 14:30. For some, this may feel like a rather short stop. In truth, aside from a wide variety of food and beverage options, the market offers limited shopping opportunities. Having paid extra for the “Bar” compartment, it was frustrating to see non–ticket holders freely taking seats in that section. Would I recommend the experience? Yes—despite a few drawbacks, the views are beautiful, and the trip itself is an enjoyable adventure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Neelst2025
Dec 8, 2025
Train of fun - We had Trevor Kiefer as our coach manager which was a nice addon to make our trip so much more memorable. He kept us well informed ahead of time as needed as he is very passionate about his work!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fredav
Dec 9, 2025
Expensive trip - but great scenery. Not necessarily on par with European railways' service but it is all we have. - The train was an hour late at our station. That made our outing an hour shorter. The breakfast box was expensive for the mini items. We got our booked coffee 10 min before we reached Elgin. It came already in spilt cups- they decide the sugar or milk. There was nothing to stir with - I used the end of my knife.
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Elvirapoole
Nov 29, 2025
Lukewarm - The train journey to the Market was smooth and without disruptions, however on the trip back three were quite a few stops and delays which was somewhat frustrating. John , our cabin support was extremely helpful and friendly, ensuring that we were all doing OK throughout the journey. It is disappointing that for such a costly journey, we were not offered at least a free coffee or water on arrival. Our waitress was also lacking. No menus made available and service wad a bit slow, however her friendliness made up for the shortcomings. In general the experience was somewhat disappointing and did not meet expectations
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sunshine46638078762
Nov 29, 2025
Paying customers suffered - Saloon car was overrun with family of Ceres Railway staff riding with complimentary tickets. The stewardess tried to control the drunk crowd by saying the paying passengers were unhappy. They stayed and we sat in unnecessary atmosphere. Train your staff.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $57
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).