The Blue Train
Luxury reaches new heights with The Blue Train. From the moment you enter the pre-departure lounges in Pretoria or Cape Town, you will be greeted with a warm South African welcome, setting the stage for a journey marked by exceptional attention to detail and personalised service. The Blue Train takes guests through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.
What's Included
- Booking advice from your Travel Escapes travel advisor
- Two nights accommodation on the train,
- Butler Sevice
- All meals (Excludes Caviar)
- High tea,
- Drinks (Alcoholic and non-alcoholic excludes Champagne)
The Blue Train embodies magnificence and splendour, providing its passengers with an unforgettable, luxurious on-board experience.
Spanning the breathtaking nearly 1600-kilometre journey across South Africa from vibrant Pretoria to captivating Cape Town, the Blue Train is the country’s premier rail service, designed to showcase the magic of this stunning nation in comfort, luxury, and style. The origins of the Blue Train date back to the 1920s with two separate steam trains, the Union Limited and the Union Express, which travelled along the Great African Railway, passing the Zambezi River and the majestic Victoria Falls. During the South African gold and diamond boom, affluent travellers began to demand a higher level of rail travel, leading to the introduction of a more luxurious service. After being requisitioned during WWII in the 1940s, the two trains were merged into what is now known as the Blue Train, named after the royal blue colour of the engines. With refurbishments in the 1970s, this iconic train has transported kings, presidents, and dignitaries across the length and breadth of South Africa.
Luxury suites:
The luxury suite has a choice of twin or double bed with bath and en-suite. Luxury suites are also equipped with CD players and Blu-Ray DVD machines. They measure 5.13m long by 2m wide (10.26m²) The luxury suite extends your personal domain by more than a metre from a De Luxe suite and offers a deep, long bath for slow, luxurious soaking, instead of a shower. There is a private digital entertainment centre and a selection of music CDs and big-screen movies on Blue-Ray DVD. The Luxury coaches have three suites per coach, two suites with a Twin bed and full bath and the other suite Double bed with full bath.
De Luxe suites:
The De Luxe suite has a choice of either twin or double bed with shower or bath en-suite. The De Luxe coaches have four suites per coach, one suite with a bath and the other three with showers. The suites measure 4m long by 2m wide (8m²) and feature twin beds with a shower or a double bed, with a ¾-size bathtub and handheld shower.
The Blue Train 2024 Departures
(Prices and availability on request)
| Month | Pretoria to Cape Town 2024 | Cape Town to Pretoria 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| September | 2, 9, 16 | 5, 12, 19 |
| October | 7, 14, 21, 28 | 10, 17, 24, 31 |
| November | 4, 11, 18 | 7, 14, 21 |
| December | 2, 9, 16 | 5, 12, 19 |
The Blue Train 2025 Departures
HIGH SEASON: Valid: 01 September 2025 – 15 November 2025
LOW SEASON: Valid 01 January – 31 August 2025 & 16 November – 31 December 2025
| Month | Pretoria to Cape Town 2025 | Cape Town to Pretoria 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6, 13, 27 | 9, 16, 30 |
| February | 3, 10, 17, 24 | 6, 13, 20, 27 |
| March | 10, 17, 24 | 13, 20, 27 |
| April | 7, 14, 21 | 10, 17, 24 |
| May | 5, 12 | 8, 15 |
| June | ||
| July | 7, 14, 21 | 10, 17, 24 |
| August | 11, 18, 25 | 14, 21, 28 |
| September | 8, 15, 22 | 11, 18, 25 |
| October | 6, 13, 20, 27 | 9, 16, 23, 30 |
| November | 3, 10, 17 | 6, 13, 20 |
| December | 1, 8, 15 | 4, 11, 18 |
Departure Time: Pretoria: 12:00 noon Day 1
Arrival Time: Cape Town: 18:00 Day 3
Departure Time: Cape Town: 12:00 noon Day1
Arrival Time: Pretoria: 18:00 Day 3
Prices
| Dates | Cabin Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jan 2025- 31 Aug 2025 |
De Luxe Double | €1828 | Book Now |
| 01 Jan 2025- 31 Aug 2025 |
Luxury Double | €2333 | Book Now |
| 01 Sep 2025- 15 Nov 2025 |
De Luxe Double | €2259 | Book Now |
| 01 Sep 2025- 15 Nov 2025 |
Luxury Double | €2849 | Book Now |
| 16 Nov 2025- 31 Dec 2025 |
De Luxe Double | €1828 | Book Now |
| 16 Nov 2025- 31 Dec 2025 |
Luxury Double | €2333 | Book Now |
Agent
Booking Remarks
Single Occupancy rate +50%Good to Know
Add on a South African Escorted tour or Cruise Holiday, ask for details.Itinerary
Pretoria, South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa
10:00 Register and check in at The Blue Train Station Lounge, Pretoria Station. Enjoy some pre-departure dry snacks and drinks.
11:15 Boarding begins. Your butler will escort you to your suite and provide an orientation. Boarding concludes at 11:45.
12:00 The Blue Train departs from Pretoria Station, and canapés are served.
(The train may depart earlier if all guests have checked in.)
13:00-14:15 First sitting for Lunch
14:30-16:00 Second, sitting for Lunch
18:30– 20:00 First sitting for Dinner
20:15– 22:00 Second sitting for Dinner
Please Note: Dinner is a classy event, so men are asked to wear a jacket or waistcoat, and ladies should opt for elegant evening wear. After dinner, guests can relax with drinks, Cognacs, and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring for the evening.
Kimberley, South Africa
07:00– 10:00 Breakfast is served on a first-come-first-served basis
10:00 OFF-THE-TRAIN EXCURSION (Weather & time permitting).
The Blue Train arrives at Kimberley Station, and you disembark, joining other guests at the Railway Museum. From there, you’ll be guided to a bus that will transfer you to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum.
10:30 Arrive at the Open Mine Museum for a tour of the mine. First, you’ll be shown some fascinating and historical sites. Then, you’ll be taken onto an enclosed ramp at the edge of the Big Hole.
12:30 Depart from the Open Mine Museum for Kimberley Station
At Kimberly Station, you will be greeted with a glass of sherry. The sherry glass engraved with The Blue Train
logo as a memento and is yours to keep.
13:00-14:15 First sitting for Lunch
14:30-16:00 Second, sitting for Lunch
16:30 High Tea is served in the Non-Smoking Lounge Car
18:30– 20:00 First sitting for Dinner
20:15– 22:00 Second sitting for Dinner
Please Note: Dinner is a classy event, so men are asked to wear a jacket or waistcoat, and ladies should opt for elegant evening wear. After dinner, guests can relax with drinks, Cognacs, and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring for the evening.
Cape Town, South Africa
07:00– 10:00 Breakfast is served on a first-come-first-served basis.
13:00-14:15 First sitting for Lunch
14:30-16:00 Second, sitting for Lunch
18:00 The Blue Train arrives at Cape Town Station. Your butler then guides you to the Arrival Lounge..
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