Commute Check Stations

Cape Town Metrorail / Southern Line

Cape Town to Observatory train times

41 direct trains run from Cape Town to Observatory on weekdays, from 05:15 until 19:00, and 14 on weekends. The trip takes about 9 min. Use Commute Check for offline schedules and live delay reports from commuters.

CPT to OBS 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 Observatory 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: 41 trains, 05:15 to 19:00
Departs Cape TownArrives ObservatoryJourneyTrain
05:1505:249 min0105
05:3005:399 min0107
05:4505:549 min0109
06:0006:099 min0111
06:1506:249 min0113
06:4506:549 min0115
07:0007:099 min0117
07:1507:249 min0119
07:3007:399 min0121
07:4507:549 min0123
08:0508:149 min0125
08:3008:399 min0127
09:0009:099 min0129
09:2009:299 min0131
10:0010:099 min0133
10:2010:299 min0135
11:0011:099 min0137
11:2011:299 min0139
12:0012:099 min0141
12:2012:299 min0143
13:0013:099 min0145
13:2013:299 min0147
14:0014:099 min0149
14:2014:299 min0151
15:0015:099 min0153
15:1515:249 min0155
15:3015:399 min0157
15:4515:549 min0159
16:0016:099 min0161
16:1516:249 min0163
16:3016:399 min0165
16:4516:549 min0167
17:0017:099 min0169
17:1517:249 min0171
17:3017:399 min0173
17:4517:549 min0175
18:0018:099 min0177
18:1518:249 min0179
18:3018:399 min0181
18:4518:549 min0183
19:0019:099 min0185
Weekends: 14 trains, 05:30 to 16:25
Departs Cape TownArrives ObservatoryJourneyTrain
05:3005:4313 min0101
06:0006:1313 min0103
06:4006:5313 min0105
07:2007:3313 min0107
08:0008:1313 min0109
09:0009:1313 min0111
10:0010:1313 min0113
11:0011:1313 min0115
12:0012:1313 min0117
13:3013:4313 min0119
14:1014:2313 min0121
15:1515:2813 min0123
16:0016:1313 min0125
16:2516:3813 min0127

Cape Town to Observatory ticket prices

About 5 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 Observatory train questions

How long is the train from Cape Town to Observatory?
Direct trains from Cape Town to Observatory take about 9 min on the weekday timetable.
What time is the first train from Cape Town to Observatory?
On weekdays the first direct train leaves Cape Town at 05:15 and reaches Observatory at 05:24. On weekends it leaves at 05:30 and arrives at 05:43.
What time is the last train from Cape Town to Observatory?
On weekdays the last direct train leaves Cape Town at 19:00 and reaches Observatory at 19:09. On weekends it leaves at 16:25 and arrives at 16:38.
How much is a train ticket from Cape Town to Observatory?
A Metrorail single ticket from Cape Town to Observatory costs about R10 and a return about R20. The trip is roughly 5 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 Observatory on weekends?
Yes. The weekend timetable has 14 direct trains from Cape Town to Observatory, from 05:30 until 16:25.

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