Shosholoza Meyl: Online reservation available again!

Great news for all who want to travel by train in South Africa. The long-distance passenger rail service in South Africa, Shosholoza Meyl, now offers an option (again) to make reservations online. To make an online reservation travellers must fill in an online form on Shosholoza Meyl's website, which is then emailed to a sales consultant of the rail service who processes the request and sends the reservation reference number to the traveller via email. Payment for the tickets must be made by EFT (electronic fund transfer) four days prior to departure or in cash at any railway station. Bookings can alternativley still be made by phone (Central Reservations & Enquiries: 086 000 8888). As of 01 July 2014, fares on Shosholoza Meyl (and Premier Classe) long-distrance trains increased on 01 July 2014.

Shosholoza Meyl operates the following services:

• Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Cape Town - Johannesburg (E)
• Johannesburg - Durban - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - East London - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Komatipoort - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Musina - Johannesburg (T&E)
• Johannesburg - Bloemfontein - Johannesburg (E)
• Cape Town - East London - Cape Town (T&E)
• Cape Town - Queenstown - Cape Town (T&E)

Shosholoza Meyl operates two classes on board most of its trains: 

• Tourist Class (consists of sleeper accommodation; T)
  Passengers have a choice between a coupe that can accommodate two people and a compartment that can take-up to four people. During the day the compartment/ coupe are suites and at night they are converted into bedrooms, with both having hot and cold water. In addition both have a basin beneath a fold-up table.
• Economy Class (consists of sitting accommodation; E)
  The comfortable seats all have head and back rests, and offer lots of legroom and overhead luggage facility.