South AfricaSouth AfricaJohannesburg to Cape Town shipping route.
1,500 km by rail, about 2.1 days in transit.
Rail Distance Between Cities: Johannesburg and Cape Town
Rail Freight Distance on the map, along the rail network.
JohannesburgRailCape TownRail freight transit time
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rail Freight Distance | 1,500 km (932 mi) |
| Straight line | 1,262 km |
| Transit time | 2.1 days |
| Assumption | 30 km/h average freight speed |
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About the Johannesburg to Cape Town shipping route by rail
Johannesburg to Cape Town by rail freight: 1,500 km of track, south west from South Africa.
At an average 30 km/h for a freight train, stops and crew changes included, the transit time is about 2.1 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 Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Of 2 rail routes from Johannesburg in this directory, Cape Town is the 2nd shortest. Closer destinations: Durban (673 km).
FAQ
What is the rail distance from Johannesburg to Cape Town?
1,500 km by rail (1,262 km in a straight line).
What is the rail freight transit time from Johannesburg to Cape Town?
About 2.1 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 Cape Town to Johannesburg has its own page with the same distance and route.
More rail freight distance
- Johannesburg to Durban673 km
- Durban to Cape Town1,877 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.