The Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town

Overview

The Blue Train travels this 1600 km journey over two nights. This allows visitors to surrender to the luxury of slow while taking their time to soak up some of South Africa’s most magnificent landscapes.

A magnificent five-star hotel on wheels with 2 grades of compartments, Luxury and De Luxe suites. On board the train, guests indulge in exquisite meals freshly prepared by top chefs and accompanied by some of the best wines South Africa has to offer. Around-the-clock personal Butlers see to the guests’ every need for the duration of their experience; be it in the comfort of their private suites or at any one of the elegant lounges.

During the journey, the train is due to stop for an off-the train excursion (weather and time permitting), at the diamond town of Kimberley where one can explore the Big Hole and the Diamond Museum.

Inclusions

2 nights accommodation in De Luxe Suite

All meals and beverages – except French champagne

24-hour Butler service onboard

Off-train excursions

Itinerary

Download Itinerary Expand All

Intro Map

The Blue Train - Pretoria to Cape Town

Day 1 Pretoria Station

Enjoy pre-departure food and beverages while registering and checking in at The Blue Train Lounge, Pretoria Station. The butlers will help you through your suites as you board the train. Once boarding has concluded, the train leaves Pretoria Station, and canapé service will begin. Lunch is served on board.

Guests are welcome to relax before dinner in one of the elegant lounges where they can spend their free time. Dinner will be served onboard (Please note: Dinner is an elegant affair. Gentlemen are requested to at least wear a jacket/wasitcoat). After dinner, guests relax in the Club Car with cognacs and Cuban cigars before going to bed.

Overnight on board.

Lunch, Dinner

The Blue Train Luxury Suite

Day 2 Kimberley Station

Breakfast is served on a first-come-first-served basis on board and before you know it, the Blue Train arrives at Kimberley Station (Off-Train-Excursion: Weather & time permitting). Guests disembark and gather at the Railway Museum, from where guests will be ushered to a bus, which transfers them to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum. Guests arrive at the destination for a tour of the mine and are taken to view interesting and historical sites around the area. Later, guests will also be taken onto an enclosed ramp on the edge of the Big Hole.

Once the tour is completed, guests will depart from the Open Mine Museum for Kimberley Station. At Kimberly Station guests are greeted with a glass of sherry. The sherry glass engraved with The Blue Train logo as a memento for guests to keep. The Blue Train departs Kimberley Station for the southbound journey to Cape Town.

After arriving back on the train, guests are welcome to refresh themselves and enjoy aperitifs served at any one of the onboard lounges. Lunch is onboard and afterwards, High Tea will be served in the Non-Smoking Lounge Car.

Dinner is served onbaord the Blue Train in the evening (Please note: Dinner is an elegant affair. Gentlemen are requested to at least wear a jacket/wasitcoat). Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, cognacs and Cuban cigards in the Club Car before retiring to bed.

Overnight on board.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fine Dining Experience

Day 3 Cape Town Station

Breakfast is served on a first-come-first-served basis until 10:00am. Relax and rewind onboard the train. Later, in the afternoon indulge in a sumptuous lunch onboard, prepared with the finest ingredients and culinary expertise.

The Blue Train arrives at Cape Town Station at approximately 6:00pm. Accompanied by attentive butlers, guests are escorted to the arrival lounge to conclude their memorable journey.

Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

The Blue Train

Upgrade available

Your De Luxe Suite will forever alter your definition of what style and class entail.

De Luxe Suites measure 8m2 of space and offer twin beds or double beds with either a three-quarter sized bath or a shower in each suite.

From your elegant and relaxing lounge during the day, it transforms into a subtly-lit bedroom of indulgence during the night, bedecked with goose-down and 100 per cent percale-cotton bedding, from your individually-controlled air-conditioning system, under-floor heating, opulent marble and gold-fitted bathroom, its scented bath salts and plush monogrammed towels, to the electronic entertainment options on offer.

Please note: The De Luxe coaches each have four suites. One of these suites contains a double bed and a ¾ size bath tub with handheld shower, while the others have twin beds with showers.

Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Room Upgrades

Luxury Suite

Luxury suites are the premier suites and measure 10.26m2 of space and offer twin beds or double beds with either a full-sized bath or a shower in each suite. The same suite is also a lounge area by day and is converted into a comfortable bedroom during the night.

Suite configurations are subject to availability. Suite layouts may differ from images.

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Additional information

The Blue Train is happy to accommodate culinary requests that are supplied with adequate notice. Please specify any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Guests are requested to check-in at least two hours prior to departure. Guests will be kept captivated and entertained with a live performance by a saxophonist while they indulge in gourmet canapes, pre-departure snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Please dress accordingly for excursions: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably. Warm clothing, comfortable shoes, hats and sun protection are advised.
Rain capes are available. Excursions may be changed according to schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.
Dinner is an elegant affair – Gentleman are requested to at least wear a jacket/waistcoat and elegant evening wear for ladies.
Please note: caviar, french champagne, external phone calls and gratuities are excluded from the price.

2025 Departure dates:

Jan 6, 13, 20, 27
Feb 3, 10, 17, 24
Mar 3, 10, 17, 24
Apr 7, 14, 21
May 5, 12
June (no departures)
July 7, 14, 21
August 11, 18, 25
September 8, 15, 22
October 6, 13, 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1, 8, 15

Excluded

International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

FAQs

What is included in the price?

With the exception of Caviar, French champagne and external telephone calls, everything onboard is included in the rate.

Can someone with mobility limitations travel on the Blue Train?

Should you or your guests have any special requirements or mobility issues, please do let us know ahead of your luxury train journey. The Blue Train is not completely wheelchair friendly, but it has a customised wheelchair onboard which has been specifically designed to negotiate the train’s corridors. A butler will be on hand to assist guests should they require. Wheelchair users or those with restricted mobility are asked to contact us directly - we would be delighted to discuss personal arrangements and respond to any further questions you may have.

Are children permitted onboard?

Children 5 years and younger sharing a suite with their parents travel free of charge (maximum of two children per suite). Please contact us for the full child policy terms & conditions.

Does the train have Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is available in all suites and is complimentary to all guests.

Can the Blue Train accommodate special dietary preferences?

Special diets can be accommodated by our Chef. Please be sure to tell us in advance of any allergies, food-related or not. We will do our best to cater for special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, Halal etc. Kindly specify any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Is there a dress code when onboard the Blue Train?

In keeping with tradition, dinner on-board The Blue Train is an elegant affair. Elegant evening wear for ladies, and gentleman are required to wear at least a jacket or waistcoat or traditional attire. During the day dress code is smart casual.

Can I smoke onboard?

The Lounge Car is designed as a meeting place for pre-lunch, dinner drinks and afternoon tea, and is a no-smoking area. The Club car is ideal for post-dinner Cognac or Cuban cigars. The bar opens as soon as the train commences its journey and closes when the last guest departs.

Do I need to check-in prior to arrival?

Check-in takes place at our VIP lounges two hours prior to departure – where guests can relax to a live performance and enjoy gourmet canapes, pre-departure snacks and drinks

Are there luggage restrictions?

It is advisable to pack an overnight case for the journey, as only a limited amount of luggage can be stored in your suite. Butlers will store additional luggage in the Luggage Car. Although great care will be taken, it is recommended that luggage be insured. Please ensure any medication is kept with you when travelling.

Will I need travel insurance?

As with all holidays and trips abroad, we strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. Please consult with our agents at time of booking and we can assist you with this.

The Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town (Tour code: 12549)

Highlights

Overview

Inclusions