A single online ticketing system, first-class carriages on interprovincial trains and closer links between stations and local tour operators were among the proposals Hoteisangola.com presented in Luanda.

The Fourth International Railway Technical Conference Series — Angola Rail 2026 took place on 5 and 6 November at Instituto Sapiens in Luanda. The event was organised by ATECFA — the Association of Railway Technicians of Angola. Discussions covered infrastructure financing, public-private partnerships, links between ports and mining corridors, and the role of rail in regional trade. The programme also covered safety, telecommunications, staff training, urban mobility and plans to maintain, expand and connect the railway lines, including a north–south link.

During the panel on “Rail Tourism and Opportunities”, moderated by Pedro Tiago, Jorge Nunes, director of Hoteisangola.com, called for a coordinated approach across the Luanda, Benguela and Moçâmedes railways. The proposals give priority to regular passenger services so that visitors and people travelling between provinces can plan their journeys and choose the level of comfort they prefer.

Eight proposals for Angola’s three railway lines

1. Bring online ticketing and promotion for all three lines into one system. Create a single platform where passengers can check routes, timetables, service frequencies, fares and travel classes, reserve a seat and buy a ticket. The same platform would give travel agencies and tour operators up-to-date information to promote all three lines and include rail journeys in their itineraries.




2. Improve the welcome passengers receive and build confidence in rail travel. Passengers should know where to board, when to arrive, how to find their carriage and whom to ask for help. Clearly identifiable staff at stations and on board, clear signs and timely notice of delays or timetable changes would be particularly helpful for first-time rail passengers.




3. Connect each station with the destination it serves and with local partners. Share each line’s timetables, routes and services with hotels, guides, travel agencies and transport providers. Knowing when a train arrives and when the return service departs allows partners to coordinate hotel transfers, arrange a visit or plan an overnight stay. Jointly reviewing demand and passenger feedback would help partners tailor services at each station.




4. Adapt services to different passengers’ needs. A family, a tour group, a business traveller and an international visitor may each need different kinds of assistance. Priorities include training passenger-facing staff and making information available in Portuguese and English, both at stations and on board, particularly details about stops, timetables and onward connections.




5. Offer first-class carriages and a bar service on interprovincial trains. The proposal is to include a first-class carriage on every interprovincial train across the three lines, with comfortable seats, air conditioning, a safe environment and toilets kept clean throughout the journey. Depending on the length of the journey, passengers should have access to a bar, a restaurant service or light meals. This option would also appeal to people who travel regularly between provinces and are willing to pay more for greater comfort.




6. Develop and promote local itineraries at each stop. Work with guides, restaurants, craftspeople and local cultural organisations to identify places to visit, how long each activity takes and how to get there from the station. The railways could promote these itineraries through their own channels and on board their trains, helping passengers discover what each destination offers before and during their journey.




7. Schedule packages that include an overnight stay on board. On lines with private compartments or sleeping carriages, work with tourism partners to develop packages for holidays and other popular travel periods. A regular schedule announced well in advance would give agencies time to sell the packages and local partners time to arrange a welcome, meals and visits. Frequency also matters on scheduled services. On the Lobito–Luena route, for example, a weekly service leaves little flexibility for passengers who want to spend two or three days at their destination and return by train.




8. Restore railway heritage for tourism. The 1927 carriages of the former Benguela Railway (CFB) mail train will mark their centenary in 2027. Hoteisangola.com proposes drawing up an inventory of the carriages, assessing their condition and studying the feasibility of returning them to service on a short heritage route between Benguela and Lobito. Another option would be to display the carriages in a prominent, publicly accessible location and create a museum display featuring photographs, objects and first-hand accounts from railway workers. According to Jorge Nunes, the opportunity to travel in these carriages was one of the attractions that made Lobito an appealing port of call for cruise passengers and shipowners.

For Hoteisangola.com, the starting point is the passenger’s experience. Being able to buy a ticket in advance, choose a return date, travel in comfort and find transport or a guided visit on arrival makes rail a practical option for exploring Angola and travelling between its provinces.

The Hoteisangola.com team is ready to work with railway operators and local partners to lay the foundations for sustainable rail tourism in Angola. We can contribute our knowledge of the destinations, help develop itineraries that start at railway stations and bring guides, hotels and transport providers together. This would give passengers access to services that fit train timetables and help communities along all three lines benefit from rail travel.

View the official Angola Rail 2026 programme