The Blue Train of South Africa
Nominated as the World's Leading Luxury Train during the World Travel Award ceremony in the Bahamas on 31 Oct 1998, the Blue Train is unique and it is not merely a train but combines the luxury of the world's leading hotels with the charm of train travel. Take a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where spectacular scenery stirs your imagination and luxurious comfort soothes your body and soul.
For more than half a century South Africa's Blue Train has enjoyed an international reputation as one of the world's pre-eminent traveling experiences. By day, your private suite is an elegant and relaxing haven. Generous lounge chairs and a writing desk at the window afford unparalleled views of Africa's panoramic and enigmatic sights. The journey between Pretoria and Cape Town is run on a regular schedule. The train can be chartered for any other route in South Africa.
On the Blue Train, dining never stops. Breakfast, lunch and supper are the main meals and High Tea is served each afternoon in the Lounge Car. Considerate attention is paid to practical needs, with individual air-conditioning controls, telephone and television. An on-board laundry service and the discreet presence and courtesy of your own professional butler ensure you will want for nothing. Just sit back, enjoy and relax!
Pretoria to Cape Town Route
Route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1 600 kilometres (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent.
On the southbound trip, the train departs from Pretoria at 8:50 and arrives in Cape Town at 12:00 the following day.
En route to Cape Town there is a stopover and excursion in Kimberley, where we take a step back in time to the days of the diamond rush.
Day 1: |
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| 07:50 – 08:30 |
Register and check-in at Pretoria Station |
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Enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks. |
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| 08:30 |
Boarding starts Butlers usher guests to their suites. |
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Suite orientation done by butlers. |
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| 12:00 – 14:00 |
First lunch sitting |
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| 14:00 – 16:00 |
Second lunch sitting |
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| 15:30 |
High tea served in the Lounge Car. |
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| 17:10 |
The Blue Train arrives at Kimberley station.
Guests disembark and assemble at the railway museum from where they will be ushered to the bus, which will be taking them to the centre of Kimberley to join an old tram for a ride down to the mine. |
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| 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 several interesting and historical sites as well as taken onto an enclosed ramp on the edge of the Kimberly hole. |
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| 18:35 |
Guests depart from the Open Mine Museum for Kimberley station.
At Kimberley station where they are greeted with a glass of sherry. The sherry glass with The Blue Train logo on is a memento for them to keep. |
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| 19:05 |
The Blue Train departs Kimberley station for Cape Town.
After this exciting tour, guests are welcome 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. |
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| 19:30 |
First dinner sitting |
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| 21:15 |
Second dinner sitting commences |
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| Day 2: (next morning) |
| 07:00 - 10:00 |
Breakfast served (first come first serve basis). Otherwise breakfast is served in-suite at the guests’ request. |
| 12:00 |
The Blue Train arrives at Cape Town station.
Butlers usher guests to the Station Lounge |
Cape Town Route to Pretoria
Route between Cape Town and Pretoria, the northbound journey, the train leaves Cape Town at 11:00 and arrives in Pretoria at 13:45, in time for high tea the following day. It stops at the historic town Matjiesfontein, where guests can visit the famous Lord Milner Hotel and the old car museum. Read the detailed itinerary in pdf format.
From 2008 the train will depart at 8:50 on both journeys, arriving at the destination at 12:20 the next day.
Guests are reminded that they must be at the station an hour before the departure time.
Day 1: |
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| 10:00 - 10:30 |
Register and check-in at Cape Town Station. |
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Enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks. |
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| 10:30 |
Boarding starts Butlers usher guests to their suites. |
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Suite orientation done by butlers. |
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| 12:00 - 14:00 |
First lunch sitting |
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| 14:00 - 16:00 |
Second lunch sitting |
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| 15:30 |
High tea served in the Lounge Car. |
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| 16:30 |
The Blue Train arrives at Matjiesfontein
for a 45 minute off-the-train excursion.
On arrival at Matjiesfontein guests can board the tomatored
London double-decker bus for a short trip through the
main street. The bus will stop in front of the bar where they
are invited for a glass of sherry. The sherry glass with The
Blue Train logo on is a memento for them to keep. The
Victoria buildings and original nineteenth century London
lampposts impart to the traveller, the uncanny sense of
entering a colonial time warp - an oasis suspended in a
different age. |
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| 17:15 |
Guests make their way to The Blue Train. |
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| 17:30 |
The Blue Train departs for the journey northward to Pretoria.
After an exciting interlude guests are welcome to refresh themselves and enjoy pre-dinner drinks at any one of our lounges.
First sitting for dinner starts at 7pm.
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. |
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| 19:00 |
First dinner sitting |
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| 21:00 |
Second dinner sitting commences |
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| Day 2: (next morning) |
| 07:00 - 10:00 |
Breakfast served (first come first serve basis). Otherwise breakfast is served in-suite
at the guests' request. |
| 13:45 |
The Blue Train arrives at Pretoria station. Butlers usher guests
to the Station Lounge |
Tour Price ( One-Way ): Cape Town / Pretoria or Pretoria / Cape Town
2008
| Suite type |
Low season |
High season |
| Luxury - Per Person Sharing |
USD 1271.00 |
USD 1582.00 |
| Luxury - Per Person Single Use |
USD 1908.00 |
USD 2352.00 |
| De Luxe - Per Person Sharing |
USD 1178.00 |
USD 1453.00 |
| De Luxe - Per Person Single Use |
USD 1765.00 |
USD 2178.00 |
Maximum 2 guests per suite. Rates are per person, inclusive of all meals, high tea, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and off-the train excursions excluding French champagne, caviar and external telephone calls. Rates quoted are for a one-way journey and are subject to change without prior notification. Arrival times and off-the train excursions cannot be guaranteed. Reservations for children on request only. Special requests for meals (e.g. Kosher and Halaal) to be specified at time of reservation. Bed preference (double or single) to be specified when making a reservation, as double beds are limited. Guests are requested to check in 1 hour prior to departure at The Blue Train lounges in Pretoria and Cape Town.
Low season dates : 01 January - 31 Aug / 16 Nov- 31 Dec
High season dates : 01 Sept - 15 Nov
Conditions
- Peak season supplement charges applicable.
- The hotels & services as mentioned in the itinerary are subject to confirmation.
- Rates may change in case of change in airfares, hotel rates, transport rates, government taxes or entrance fees.
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