South AfricaSouth AfricaCape Town to Durban shipping route.
1,877 km by rail, about 2.6 days in transit.
Rail Distance Between Cities: Cape Town and Durban
Rail Freight Distance on the map, along the rail network.
Cape TownRailDurbanRail freight transit time
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rail Freight Distance | 1,877 km (1,166 mi) |
| Straight line | 1,271 km |
| Transit time | 2.6 days |
| Assumption | 30 km/h average freight speed |
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About the Cape Town to Durban shipping route by rail
A freight train from Cape Town to Durban covers a rail distance of 1,877 km, against 1,271 km in a straight line.
At an average 30 km/h for a freight train, stops and crew changes included, the transit time is about 2.6 days. Terminal handling at both ends comes on top.
Rail freight suits heavy, high volume cargo that is not urgent: containers, steel, chemicals, grain, cars. Per tonne it emits far less CO2 than trucking the same distance. Most shipments still need a truck for the first and last mile to the rail terminals in Cape Town and Durban.
Of 2 rail routes from Cape Town in this directory, Durban is the 2nd shortest. Closer destinations: Johannesburg (1,500 km).
FAQ
What is the rail distance from Cape Town to Durban?
1,877 km by rail (1,271 km in a straight line).
What is the rail freight transit time from Cape Town to Durban?
About 2.6 days at an average 30 km/h for a freight train, stops included. Border and terminal times vary.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Durban to Cape Town has its own page with the same distance and route.
More rail freight distance
- Cape Town to Johannesburg1,500 km
- Johannesburg to Durban673 km
How we count: rail distance on the freight network, 30 km/h average including stops. Engine navo-distance-time 0.3.0. See all rail distance between cities or the Shipping Routes Directory.