🇿🇦 Sudáfrica

Sudáfrica's passenger rail services are operated by Prasa (Passenger Rail Agency of Sudáfrica) through its Metrorail urban services and Shosholoza Meyl long-distance trains. The Metrorail commuter networks serve Ciudad del Cabo, Johannesburgo/Pretoria (Gauteng), Durban, and Port Elizabeth. The Gautrain rapid transit system (launched 2010) connects Johannesburgo OR Tambo Airport to Sandton and Pretoria in 15-38 minutes, operating as a high-quality complement to the standard Metrorail network. Gautrain reaches 160 km/h and uses Bombardier Electrostar EMUs. Long-distance Shosholoza Meyl trains connect major cities (Johannesburgo to Ciudad del Cabo in 27h, Johannesburgo to Durban in 14h) at affordable fares with sleeper compartments. However, Prasa has faced severe challenges: rolling stock maintenance backlogs, infrastructure vandalism, and cable theft have dramatically reduced service reliability and frequency on Metrorail networks since 2018. Many routes that operated daily now run infrequently or have been suspended. The luxury tourism rail market is where Sudáfrica excels globally. Rovos Rail and the Blue Train offer some of the world's most opulent rail experiences. The Blue Train runs Pretoria to Ciudad del Cabo (27h) with en-suite suites, fine dining, and 5-star service. Rovos Rail offers multiple-day journeys including Pretoria to Ciudad del Cabo, Pretoria to Dar es Salaam, and the historic Rovos route through Zambia and Zimbabwe.