Commute Check Stations

Cape Town Metrorail / Southern Line

Cape Town to Esplanade train times

12 direct trains run from Cape Town to Esplanade on weekdays, from 05:55 until 17:50, and 5 on weekends. The trip takes about 5 min. Use Commute Check for offline schedules and live delay reports from commuters.

CPT to ESP Southern Line Tuesday, 13 October
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Next trains on this route

Scheduled times only. Live delays, cancellations, crowd reports, and saved-route alerts are in the app.

No later scheduled trains found for this route today.

Check again earlier in the day, or use the app for saved routes, offline schedules, and commuter reports.

Cape Town to Esplanade timetable

Every scheduled direct train on the Metrorail Southern Line timetable effective 2 February 2026. Trains can run late or be cancelled, so check commuter reports in the app before you leave.

Weekdays: 12 trains, 05:55 to 17:50
Departs Cape TownArrives EsplanadeJourneyTrain
05:5506:005 min2801
06:3506:405 min3203
07:4007:455 min2803
08:4508:505 min2805
10:3010:355 min2807
12:0012:055 min2809
14:0014:055 min2811
14:5515:005 min2813
16:1016:155 min2815
16:5416:595 min3207
17:3017:388 min2677
17:5017:555 min2817
Weekends: 5 trains, 05:45 to 13:50
Departs Cape TownArrives EsplanadeJourneyTrain
05:4505:505 min2801
07:5508:005 min2803
10:0510:105 min2805
12:1512:205 min2807
13:5013:533 min2661

Cape Town to Esplanade ticket prices

About 2 km by rail, which PRASA prices as Zone 1.

TicketPrice
SingleR10
ReturnR20
Weekly (Mon–Fri)R60
Weekly (Mon–Sat)R75
MonthlyR180
  • Off-peak (09:00–14:00): 40% off single and return tickets.
  • Pensioners and military veterans: 50% off single and return tickets off-peak.
  • Scholars in full uniform: 50% off single and return tickets at any time.

Estimated from PRASA fares valid from 1 August 2025 and the distance by rail. Confirm at the ticket office. All Metrorail ticket prices

Cape Town to Esplanade train questions

How long is the train from Cape Town to Esplanade?
Direct trains from Cape Town to Esplanade take about 5 min on the weekday timetable.
What time is the first train from Cape Town to Esplanade?
On weekdays the first direct train leaves Cape Town at 05:55 and reaches Esplanade at 06:00. On weekends it leaves at 05:45 and arrives at 05:50.
What time is the last train from Cape Town to Esplanade?
On weekdays the last direct train leaves Cape Town at 17:50 and reaches Esplanade at 17:55. On weekends it leaves at 13:50 and arrives at 13:53.
How much is a train ticket from Cape Town to Esplanade?
A Metrorail single ticket from Cape Town to Esplanade costs about R10 and a return about R20. The trip is roughly 2 km by rail (Zone 1) under PRASA fares valid from 1 August 2025. Off-peak single and return tickets (09:00–14:00) are 40% cheaper.
Do trains run from Cape Town to Esplanade on weekends?
Yes. The weekend timetable has 5 direct trains from Cape Town to Esplanade, from 05:45 until 13:50.

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