Is the Blue Train included in this package?

Yes. The package includes two nights aboard the Blue Train in a Deluxe Cabin, all meals onboard, and transfers from your Cape Town hotel to the station and from Pretoria station to your hotel.

Is this tour guided or independent?

Vacations By Rail describes this as an independent rail tour. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary. Day 1 includes a half-day guided tour of Cape Town; Days 2 and 3 are free, with optional excursions available.

What is included in the hotel accommodation?

The package includes four nights in handpicked four- and five-star hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis. In Cape Town you choose between three hotels and stay three nights; in Pretoria you choose from three five-star hotels and stay one night.

What meals are included?

All meals are included onboard the Blue Train (Days 4 and 5): canapes and lunch on Day 4, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Day 5, and breakfast and lunch on Day 6. Hotel breakfasts in Cape Town and Pretoria are included on the bed-and-breakfast basis.

What are the optional activities?

Optional excursions include a Winelands Tour, Cape Point Tour, Walk to Freedom Tour, Peninsula cruise, and Safari day trip. These may be booked separately during your free days in Cape Town.

How much walking is involved?

Day 1 includes a half-day guided walking tour of Cape Town covering several neighborhoods and landmarks. Days 2 and 3 offer free time and optional activities ranging from hiking the mountains to visiting beaches and galleries; you can choose your activity level.

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.

Vacations By Rail · Independent rail tour

South Africa's Blue Train & Cape Town

Seven-day independent rail journey from Cape Town to Pretoria on the Blue Train

Vacations By Rail's seven-day independent tour combines leisure in Cape Town with one of the world's most celebrated luxury rail journeys. You begin with three days in Cape Town, starting with a guided half-day tour of the city's historic buildings, neighborhoods, and Table Mountain views, followed by two free days to hike, visit beaches, explore galleries, or take optional excursions such as the Winelands or Cape Point Tour. On Day 4, you board the Blue Train at Cape Town station; during this 54-hour journey to Pretoria via Kimberley, you remain in a Deluxe Cabin while all meals, from canapes at departure to elegant dinners in the restaurant car, are served onboard. Day 5 brings a stop at the Open Mine Museum in Kimberley, where you tour the historic diamond mines before continuing overnight toward Pretoria. Upon arrival, you spend your final night in a five-star Pretoria hotel before transferring to Johannesburg Airport on Day 7. This itinerary suits couples and experienced rail travelers seeking luxury, comfort, and the freedom to explore independently alongside one of Africa's signature railway experiences.

What to know before you look closer

Hotel choice depends on your selected tier: the pack lists three options in Cape Town (ranging from four- to five-star) and three in Pretoria (all five-star); your final accommodation is determined by your tier and availability.
The from-price of USD 3,285 covers the package but flights to and from South Africa are not included and must be booked separately.
Day 7 involves an included transfer to Johannesburg Airport; confirm the timing of your overnight return flight when booking.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Cape Town
Arriving in Cape Town
A transfer takes you to your hotel, chosen between handpicked four-star and five-star hotels on a B&B basis. A half-day guided tour of Cape Town takes in the Parliament Buildings, City Hall, the Slave Lodge, the Company Gardens, the Bo-Kaap and a diamond-cutting factory, driving past the V&A Waterfront and Camps Bay to Table Mountain.
Day 2overnight: Cape Town
Exploring Cape Town
A free day in Cape Town to hike the mountains, visit the beaches, explore the coffee culture, or choose an optional excursion such as the Winelands Tour or Cape Point Tour.
Day 3overnight: Cape Town
Another full day to in beautiful Cape Town
A second free day in Cape Town for museums, galleries, beaches or shopping, or an optional excursion such as the Walk to Freedom Tour, Peninsula cruise or Safari day trip.
Day 4railovernight: Blue Train
The Blue Train
Transfer from your hotel to the station to board the Blue Train for its 54-hour route from Cape Town to Pretoria. Canapes are served as the train departs, followed by lunch in the dining car and an elegant dinner in the restaurant car (jacket or waistcoat requested for men), with an after-dinner drink in the Club Car.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Blue Train
Kimberley
Breakfast is served in the dining car at leisure. After lunch, the train arrives at the Open Mine Museum for a tour, then departs for Kimberley Station where you're greeted with a glass of sherry, before continuing overnight toward Pretoria with dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6overnight: Pretoria
Arriving in Pretoria
Breakfast in the restaurant car at your leisure, then lunch onboard before arriving in Pretoria and disembarking for the final time. An included transfer takes you to your hotel, chosen from handpicked five-star hotels on a B&B basis.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7
Tour conclusion
Free time to enjoy your hotel or explore Pretoria independently, before an included transfer to Johannesburg Airport for your overnight return flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Day 1: A guided half-day tour of Cape Town visits the Parliament Buildings, City Hall, the Slave Lodge, the Company Gardens, the Bo-Kaap, and a diamond-cutting factory, with views of the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain.
Day 4Day 4: Board the Blue Train at Cape Town station; canapes are served as the train departs, followed by lunch and an elegant dinner in the restaurant car.
Day 5Day 5: The train stops at the Open Mine Museum in Kimberley for a tour of Africa's diamond-mining history; dinner is served onboard as the train continues toward Pretoria.

Included

4 nights 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
2 nights on board the Blue Train in a Deluxe Cabin

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is the Blue Train included in this package?: Yes. The package includes two nights aboard the Blue Train in a Deluxe Cabin, all meals onboard, and transfers from your Cape Town hotel to the station and from Pretoria station to your hotel.
Is this tour guided or independent?: Vacations By Rail describes this as an independent rail tour. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary. Day 1 includes a half-day guided tour of Cape Town; Days 2 and 3 are free, with optional excursions available.
What is included in the hotel accommodation?: The package includes four nights in handpicked four- and five-star hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis. In Cape Town you choose between three hotels and stay three nights; in Pretoria you choose from three five-star hotels and stay one night.
What meals are included?: All meals are included onboard the Blue Train (Days 4 and 5): canapes and lunch on Day 4, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Day 5, and breakfast and lunch on Day 6. Hotel breakfasts in Cape Town and Pretoria are included on the bed-and-breakfast basis.
What are the optional activities?: Optional excursions include a Winelands Tour, Cape Point Tour, Walk to Freedom Tour, Peninsula cruise, and Safari day trip. These may be booked separately during your free days in Cape Town.
How much walking is involved?: Day 1 includes a half-day guided walking tour of Cape Town covering several neighborhoods and landmarks. Days 2 and 3 offer free time and optional activities ranging from hiking the mountains to visiting beaches and galleries; you can choose your activity level.

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