The Blue Train: Cape Town to Pretoria

Overview

The Blue Train covers a 1600 km journey over two nights, inviting guests to embrace the luxury of slow travel while admiring South Africa’s breathtaking landscapes. This five-star hotel on wheels offers two suite categories - Luxury and De Luxe - where guests enjoy gourmet meals, fine South African wines and the dedicated service of personal Butlers available around the clock. Whether relaxing in suites or elegant lounges, comfort is guaranteed. The journey also includes a off-train excursion in Kimberley (weather permitting), to explore the Big Hole and the fascinating Diamond Museum.

Inclusions

2 nights accommodation onboard The Blue Train

All meals and beverages – except French champagne

24-hour Butler service onboard

Off-train excursions

Itinerary

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Intro Map

The Blue Train - Cape Town to Pretoria

Day 1 Cape Town Station

The journey begins with check-in at The Blue Train VIP Lounge at Cape Town Station at 10:00am, where guests are welcomed with pre-departure beverages and canapés. Shortly before departure, boarding commences and Butlers escort guests to their suites. Once on board, guests receive a warm welcome and suite orientation before the train sets off. A light lunch is served in the Lounge and Observation Cars, offering the perfect start to the experience. In the evening, guests enjoy a formal dinner served in two sittings, followed by drinks, Cognacs, and Cuban cigars in the Club Car.

(Please note: Dinner is an elegant affair. Gentlemen are requested to at least wear a jacket/waistcoat).

Lunch, Dinner

The Blue Train Lounging Area

Day 2 Kimberley Station

Breakfast is served on a first-come-first-served basis, offering guests a relaxed start to the day. Lunch is served in two sittings, with guests able to enjoy a leisurely meal either in the first or second seating. Following lunch, an exciting off-the-train excursion (weather permitting) takes guests to the Open Mine Museum, where they explore historical sites and walk along an enclosed ramp overlooking the Big Hole. Afterward, guests return to Kimberley Station for a glass of sherry, a special keepsake engraved with The Blue Train logo. High Tea is then served in the Non-Smoking Lounge Car before the train departs for Pretoria. As the journey continues, guests can enjoy aperitifs in the lounges, followed by a formal dinner in two sittings, with post-dinner drinks and Cuban cigars available in the Club Car.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fine Dining Experience

Day 3 Pretoria Station

Breakfast is available on a first-come-first-served basis from 07:00am to 10:00am. A light lunch is served in the Lounge and Observation Cars. Later in the afternoon, The Blue Train arrives at Pretoria Station between 3:00pm - 6:00pm, where Butlers escort guests to the Arrival Lounge. Please note that departure and arrival times may vary.

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 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.

Your De Luxe or Luxury suites are your home-away-from-home lounges. Need to send an important email halfway across the world or make that urgent phone call? Relax in knowing that all suites are fitted with WI-FI service that is complimentary to all our guests. Use the telephone system in each suite to dial your butler, at no extra charge, for an apéritif or even call family and friends across the Atlantic and relay your Blue Train experience at a minimal fee.

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:

January 9, 16, 23, 30
February 6, 13, 20, 27
March 6, 13, 20, 27
April 10, 17, 24
May 8, 15
June (no departures)
July 10, 17, 24
August 14, 21, 28
September 11, 18, 25
October 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13, 20
December 4, 11, 18

2026 Departure dates:

January 15, 22, 29
February 12, 19, 26
March 12, 19, 26
April 09, 16, 23
May 07, 14
June (no departures)
July 16, 23, 30
August 06, 13, 20
September 10, 17, 24
October 08, 15, 22, 29
November 12, 19, 26
December 03, 10, 17

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: Cape Town to Pretoria (Tour code: 12548)

Highlights

Overview

Inclusions