The routes of The Blue Train, both scheduled and chartered, take guests through some of the most breathtaking countryside to be found anywhere in the world. As the ever-changing scenery flashes past the windows, guests can savour exquisite meals freshly prepared on board by top chefs. The meals are complimented by the best wines South Africa has to offer.Each coach has a butler on call to attend to our guests' every need. Our butlers serve a maximum of four suites and are there to ensure that your experience is as memorable and comfortable as possible.
When you choose to travel on The Blue Train, you choose to travel in a world of grace, elegance and romance.
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The Blue Train experience is a banquet for all the senses and this is especially true of our dining car. Here the reassuring weight of Sheffield cutlery and crystal glassware on crisp white linen set the tone for the delights to follow.
A meal on The Blue Train is an experience in itself. Our menus feature a selection of local cuisine from Karoo lamb and ostrich fillet to Knysna oysters accompanied by award-winning cultivars from the Cape winelands, all serving as the perfect complement to the landscape through which you are travelling.
Prepared from the freshest produce and ingredients, artfully presented in the finest Silver Service tradition, The Blue Train's legendary cuisine is an irresistible tribute to culinary mastery.
Cancellation Policy
Less than 60 days notice 100% cancellation fee.
Once a ticket is purchased, a reservation may be changed for an earlier or later date without penalty, provided such change is made 60 days prior to the date of travel.
Any subsequent changes will subject the passengers to payment of the usual cancellation fees according to the notice given.
If a change, cancellation or no-show is caused by exceptional circumstances and verified by suitable documentation, Blue Train will consider waiving all or part of cancellation fees according to the merits of each case.
Pretoria to Cape Town Itinerary
Day 1
07:50 - 08:30 Register and check-in at The Blue Train Lounge, Pretoria Station. Guests enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks.
08:30 Boarding starts Butlers usher guests to their suites.Suite orientation done by butlers.
08:50 The Blue Train departs from Pretoria Station @ 08:50 (am)
11:00 - 12:15 First sitting for Brunch
12:15 - 13:25 Second sitting for Brunch
15:30 High tea is served in the Lounge Car.
17:10 The Blue Train arrives at Kimberley Station. Guests disembark and assemble at the railway museum, from where they will be ushered to a bus, which transfers them to the centre of Kimberley to join an old tram for a ride down to the mine.
17:45 Guests arrive at the Open Mine Museum for a tour of the mine. Guests are first taken to the Diamond Die to try their luck to win a diamond, after which they will view, interesting and historical sites. Guests are also taken onto an enclosed ramp on the edge of the Kimberly hole.
18:35 Guests depart from the Open Mine Museum for Kimberley Station.At Kimberley Station guests are greeted with a glass of sherry. The sherry glass engraved with The Blue Train logo is a memento for guests to keep.
19:05 The Blue Train departs Kimberley Station for the journey Southbound to Cape Town. After this exciting tour, guests are free to refresh themselves and enjoy pre-dinner drinks served at any one of our lounges. Remember, dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket and tie or dress in traditional attire and ladies in elegant evening or traditional wear.
19:30 First sitting dinner
21:15 Second sitting dinner
Day 2
07:00 - 10:00 Breakfast is served on a first come first serve basis. Breakfast can also be served in-suiteat the guests’ request.
12:00 The Blue Train arrives at Cape Town Station. Butlers usher guests to The Blue Train Lounge.
Cape Town to Pretoria Itinerary
Day 1
07:50 - 08:30 Register and check-in at The Blue Train Lounge, Cape Town Station.Guests enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks.
08:30 Boarding starts. Butlers usher guests to their suites. Suite orientation done by butlers.
08:50 The Blue Train departs from Cape Town Station @ 08:50 (am).
11:00 - 12:15 First sitting for Brunch
12:15 - 13:25 Second sitting for Brunch
13:30 - 14:45 Train arrives at Kleinstraat siding for an off-the-train excursion at Aquila Private Game Reserve. Guests transferred by Aquila vehicles and enjoy a welcome drink served at the Reserve. Guests enjoy coffee/tea and snacks served in the restaurant. An educational talk about habits and conservation of cheetahs presented to guests by experienced Game Rangers. Guests will also get a chance to interact with these incredible animals. As the philosopher Baba Dium once wrote, “We only conserve what we love, we only love what we understand, we only understand what we know and we only know what we are taught.”
15:00 The Blue Train departs for its northbound journey to Pretoria.
16:00 High tea is served in the Lounge Car.After an exciting interlude guests are free to refresh themselves and enjoy pre-dinner drinks at any one of our lounges.
19:00 First sitting for dinner starts at 19:00 Remember, dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket and tie or dress in traditional attire and ladies in elegant evening or traditional wear.
21:00 Second sitting for dinner
Day 2
07:00 - 10:00 Breakfast is served on a first come first serve basis. Breakfast can also be served in-suite at the guests’ request.
12:30 The Blue Train arrives at Pretoria Station. Butlers usher guests to The Blue Train Lounge
