In Mozambique, as in most African countries, the railway plays a significant role in freight transport, while passenger trains run rarely and only on few routes. In 2017, Caminhos de ferro do Moçambique purchased diesel multiple units from New Zealand, which are used in suburban services around Maputo.
Last update: 29.01.2024
The first railway in present day Mozambique was opened in 1894 and two years later was extended to Beira. But in fact, as the first railway is considered the railway line from Lourenço Marques (now Maputo) to Transvaal (now Pretoria), inaugurated on 8 July 1895.
In 2014 construction of the railway line from mines in Moatize area in Mozambique to Nkaye, Malawi, was completed and the new railway line was connected with existing line from Nkaye to Mozambique port of Nacala. The construction of a new railway line enables much easier and faster transport from the mine to the port. The whole corridor was fully opened for service in 2017.
In 2017 construction of the new railway line from Moatize area to a new port at Macuse began.
There are three main zones in Mozambique:
Linhas do Sul – operated by Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique
Linhas do Centro – operated by Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique
Linhas do Norte – operated by Nacala Logistics
Train travel in Mozambique – current situation
There are few passenger trains in Mozambique. Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique runs also tourist trains from Maputo in cooperation with travel agencies.
Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique operate trains on following routes:
Zona Centro:
Beira – Dondo (29 km) – on this route rund iesel multiple units
Beira – Ramal/Moatize (549 km)
Zona Sul:
Maputo – Goba (69 km)
Maputo – Marracuene (suburban train)
Maputo – Machava (suburban train)
Maputo – Matola Gare/Ressano Garcia
Maputo – Jafar (suburban train)
Maputo – Boane (suburban train)
Maputo – Manhiça/Chókwé
Maputo – Chicualacuala via Manhiça, Chókwé (522 km)
Train from Maputo to Chicualacuala runs probably only once a week.
Timetables for Zona Centro and Zona Sul
Zona Norte
There are passenger trains operated by Nacala Logistics. Trains run on following routes:
Nampula – Cuamba
Nampula – Nacala (twice a week, inaugurated on 8 October 2023)
Cuamba – Lichinga
Cuamba – Entre Lagos
International trains:
There are no direct international passengers trains from Mozambique to adjacent countries, but Mozambique has a railway connection with most of them for freight trains. Several times a year luxury cruise trains (Rovos Rail) arrive to Maputo.
Zimbabwe:
Trains from Maputo to Chicualacuala terminate at the border station. On the Zimbabwean side of the border, within 1 km, is located Sango railway station. There are trains to Bulawayo once a week (check this before your journey). Passengers have to make their own way between the stations of Sango and Chicualacua.
Malawi:
There are no direct international passenger trains in Malawi. Terminus of the line Balaka – Nayuchi is located near the border with Mozambique. From border station on the Mozambique side, runs train Entre Lagos – Cuamba. You can cross the border and I don’t know it’s easy to transfer between the trains.
Eswatini:
Goba Railway connects Maputo and city of Matsapha, in Eswatini. There are passenger trains from Maputo to Goba (border city), but there are no passenger trains in Eswatini.
South Africa:
Passenger trains from Maputo to Ressano Garcia terminate at the border station of Ressano Garcia. You can cross the border on your own and continue your journey from South African’s city of Komatipoort.
Maputo railway station
Gorgeous Maputo Central railway station is one of the most beautiful railway stations in Africa (maybe in the world). It was building during colonial era on the site of an earlier station from 1895 and was designed by Portuguese architect by the Portuguese architects Alfredo Augusto Lisboa de Lima, Mário Veiga and Ferreira da Costa. Construction began in 1908, the railway station was completed in 1916.
Initially architects were inspired by the main terminus in Johannesburg, but with a grander facade. The dome was designed by José Ferreira da Costa. The station was was inaugurated on 19 March 1910, but second phase of construction was completed only in 1916, due to difficulties imposed by the ongoing World War I.
In 2015, a small railway museum was opened at the station.
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