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Tailor Made Rail · Luxury rail journey

The Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town

Nine-day luxury rail journey from London to Cape Town on the Blue Train

Illustration of The Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town

Tailor Made Rail's nine-day journey combines overnight flights from London with a two-night luxury rail experience aboard the Blue Train and four days exploring Cape Town. You arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to Pretoria for one night at the Southern Sun Hotel, with time to visit the Voortrekker Monument or the Pretoria Art Museum before boarding the Blue Train at midday on day three. The train carries you through South Africa's interior, stopping at Kimberley for a tour of the Open Mine Museum, then sweeps around Table Bay as it approaches Cape Town in the early evening. Four full days in Cape Town at the four-night Hyde Hotel allow independent exploration of Table Mountain, the penguin colonies at Boulders, Robben Island, and the District Six Museum. All train meals and drinks are included, as are flights, transfers, and hotel breakfasts. This package suits luxury-seekers, couples, and history-lovers who want a celebrated rail journey combined with time to discover a major destination.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels in Pretoria and Cape Town are listed as "or similar," so your final property may differ from those named.
  • The package departs from London with overnight flights; the actual rail portion is two nights, with four additional nights in hotels.
  • Cape Town activities (Table Mountain, penguin colonies, Robben Island) are at your own expense and not included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Overnight flight

    London to Pretoria

    Fly overnight from London to Johannesburg.

  2. Day 2overnight: Pretoria (Southern Sun Pretoria or similar)

    Arrive Pretoria

    A private transfer takes you to Pretoria. Explore the Voortrekker Monument, Union Buildings and Botanical Garden.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Aboard the Blue Train (Double De Luxe cabin)

    Pretoria and board the Blue Train

    Free morning in Pretoria - the Pretoria Art Museum and Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History are recommended - then board the Blue Train at lunchtime. Dinner is served onboard.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Aboard the Blue Train (Double De Luxe cabin)

    Aboard the Blue Train

    Arrival at Kimberley station for a tour of the Open Mine Museum, lunch in the restaurant car, high tea in the Lounge Car, then a 4-course evening meal in the dining car.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Cape Town (The Hyde All Suite Hotel or similar)

    Arrival in Cape Town

    Breakfast and lunch onboard as the train sweeps around Table Bay, arriving into Cape Town in the early evening for a transfer to your hotel.

  6. Day 6overnight: Cape Town (The Hyde All Suite Hotel or similar)

    Cape Town

    Full day to explore Cape Town - Table Mountain, the Boulders Penguin Colony, beaches or the Cape of Good Hope.

  7. Day 7overnight: Cape Town (The Hyde All Suite Hotel or similar)

    Cape Town

    Full day at leisure - the District Six Museum and Robben Island are recommended.

  8. Day 8overnight: Cape Town (The Hyde All Suite Hotel or similar)

    Cape Town

    Third full day exploring Cape Town's highlights.

  9. Day 9

    Cape Town to London

    Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the Blue Train at Pretoria at lunchtime; dinner is served onboard in the dining car.
  • Day 4Tour the Kimberley Open Mine Museum, then enjoy high tea in the Lounge Car and a four-course evening meal in the dining car.
  • Day 5The Blue Train sweeps around Table Bay as it approaches Cape Town in the early evening.

Included

  • Return flights from London to Johannesburg and Cape Town to London
  • Double De Luxe cabin on the Blue Train including all meals, drinks and excursion to Kimberley Diamond Mine
  • Private transfers Johannesburg airport to Pretoria hotel and Cape Town station to hotel & hotel to airport
  • 5 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • A Seat61 Recommended Holiday

Questions travellers ask

Are flights included?
Yes, return flights from London to Johannesburg and Cape Town to London are included.
What is included on the Blue Train?
All meals, drinks, and a guided excursion to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum are included in the Double De Luxe cabin fare.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. You receive private transfers between the airport, hotels, and train station. Days in Pretoria and Cape Town are at leisure, with recommended attractions listed.
How many nights are on the train versus in hotels?
Two nights aboard the Blue Train, one night in Pretoria, and four nights in Cape Town, for a total of nine days and eight nights.
When does this trip run?
Departures are scheduled in July, August, September, October, November, and December 2026. Prices are GBP 3,699 in low season and GBP 3,899 in September and October.
What activities are recommended in Cape Town?
Table Mountain, the Boulders Penguin Colony, the Cape of Good Hope, the District Six Museum, and Robben Island are suggested for your leisure days.

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