Quick Facts
E 22°08'13''
Budget Getaways Review
There’s a lot to be said for a train going nowhere. No delays, no tickets required, no derailments.
In the good old days of romantic train travel, much of SA’s coastal railway network ran right along the sea front. Santos Express Train Lodge is no exception - in fact, any closer to the sea and the rusty wheels will be under water.
What you have here is a stationary series snake of old SAR coaches that has been converted into funky beachfront accommodation with superb views over Munro Bay and a 10-minute walk from Diaz Museum, the harbour and Mossel Bay CBD.
Looking at the line-up of rolling stock, economy class is made up of four coaches fitted with five private compartments that sleep two to four commuters. All look out over the beach and have fold-out beds, with linen and towels provided. Take note: bathrooms for these units (showers only) are shared.
Moving down the line, a fifth coach houses a 16-bed Backpackers Dorm and a Caboose unit that's good for couples, with double bed, ensuite bathroom and own balcony.
If it’s first class travel you're used to, you can buy a Royal Suite ticket. This gives you access to one of two restored vintage coaches dating back to the 1920’s. There are four luxury units, each decked with fine linen, wood panelling, ensuite bathrooms with Victorian baths, and private decks with sea views. A Continental breakfast or cooked breakfast on request is part of the deal.
Meals are available in the Fork and Train Restaurant (try say that quickly), an adjoining building with sea-facing deck. There's also a pub where you can grab a cold one before dossing down.
Novel concept. Great location. Be bold and try it.
"This place is unique and fun. The old stationary train is metres away from Santos Beach, you cannot get it any more convenient. The rooms are small, but that is part of the experience. The breakfast is included and very decent."
(visited January 2016)
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Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland