Search

First Class Holidays · Rail Journey

The Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town

Luxury sleeper train from Pretoria to Cape Town across South Africa

Illustration of The Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town

First Class Holidays operates The Blue Train, one of the world's most celebrated luxury sleeper trains, on this 3-day, 2-night journey from Pretoria to Cape Town across South Africa. The route covers 1,600 kilometres through diverse scenery, stopping at Kimberley for an included excursion to the Open Mine Museum. Passengers travel in a Deluxe Suite with private butler service throughout the journey. Meals are served in formal dining cars, beginning with High Tea on the first evening and continuing with multiple courses at lunch and dinner each day. On Day 2, guests disembark to view the historic Big Hole from an enclosed ramp before returning to the train for further courses. The train features air-suspension, panoramic viewing, and extensive sound proofing. The all-inclusive package covers all meals, drinks, laundry service, and cognacs and Cuban cigars. This journey is designed for those seeking the highest standard of rail travel with refined service and attention to detail.

What to know before you look closer

  • Return flights to South Africa are not included and must be arranged separately.
  • Day 2 dinner may have two sittings depending on passenger numbers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: The Blue Train

    The Blue Train

    Enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks at The Blue Train Station Lounge before being shown to your suite by your butler. High Tea is served in the non-smoking lounge car after departure from Pretoria. Settling into your suite and prepare for dinner (note there may be 2 sittings for dinner). Dinner is an elegant affair with gentlemen requested to wear a jacket/waistcoat and ladies to dress elegantly. Post-dinner drinks, cognacs and Cuban cigars served in the Club Car before retiring.

    Meals: High Tea, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: The Blue Train

    The Blue Train

    Breakfast is served on board the train before the train arrives at Kimberley Station. Disembark from the train and gather at the Railway Museum, where you board a bus and travel to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum. View interesting and historical sites before viewing the edge of the Big Hole from an enclosed ramp. A glass of sherry is served upon your return to Kimberley Station before boarding the train. Lunch is served on board the train. After an afternoon at leisure, followed by High Tea in the Lounge Car. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure followed by dinner with post-dinner drinks, cognacs and Cuban cigars in the Club Car.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, High Tea, Dinner

  3. Day 3rail

    The Blue Train

    Breakfast at leisure before arriving into Cape Town Station. Your butler will assist you into the Arrivals Lounge at the journey's end.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board The Blue Train at Pretoria Station and settle into your Deluxe Suite; High Tea is served in the non-smoking lounge car after departure, followed by an elegant jacket-and-tie dinner.
  • Day 2Disembark at Kimberley to visit the Kimberley Open Mine Museum and view the Big Hole from an enclosed ramp, with sherry served upon return to the station before lunch and dinner aboard the train.

Included

  • All-inclusive service with 24-hour butler service
  • All meals and drinks
  • Off-the-train excursions (weather and time permitting)
  • Minimum laundry service
  • Cognacs and genuine Cuban cigars

Not included

  • Return flights to South Africa, please contact us we can arrange these for you
  • Meals, sightseeing and excursions not shown as included

Questions travellers ask

Is all accommodation on the train?
Yes, both nights are spent aboard The Blue Train in a Deluxe Suite with butler service.
What is included?
All meals and drinks, 24-hour butler service, laundry service, off-the-train excursions in Kimberley, cognacs and Cuban cigars, and accommodation.
What is the dress code?
Dinner requires gentlemen to wear a jacket or waistcoat and ladies to dress elegantly.
Do you visit Kimberley?
Yes, on Day 2 you visit the Kimberley Open Mine Museum and view the Big Hole from an enclosed ramp before returning to the train.
Is this trip escorted?
This is a luxury train journey; butler service and on-train staff attend to passengers throughout.

Similar journeys