The Blue Train | Proudly brought to you by SA-Rail
| ABOUT THE TRAIN | SUITES | SERVICES & FACILITIES | RATES & SCHEDULES | ENQUIRE NOW | FAQ |
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Enquire now by completing our online form and we will contact you regarding a quote, availability or make your reservation. |
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About the Blue Train
Treat yourself with an unforgettable experience aboard one of South Africa’s leading luxury trains.
This 5 star, 54 hour experience offers you around-the-clock butler service, 2 lounge cars (smoking and non-smoking), an observation car, carriages with gold-tinted picture windows and fully carpeted and soundproofed suites, all with en-suite bathrooms.
Situated behind the train’s engine is the Club car, where you can enjoy a Cuban cigar served after dinner while sipping on cognac, or any drink of your choice. If a game of backgammon, chess or cards is not for you, browse our library selection, enjoy the big screen or get lost in thought gazing up at the star-lit African sky.
Afternoon High Tea and after-dinner drinks are served in the Lounge car, situated in the middle of the train.
When not in use as a Conference car, the Observation car serves as an extension of the Lounge Car.
Dine with friends or enjoy a romantic dinner for two in the elegant Dining car. You can also choose to dine in the privacy of your own suite. Our on-board chefs prepare dishes of the highest standard, regularly refreshing the menu and using only the freshest local ingredients. There is something to suite every taste, including Halaal, Kosher, gluten-free of vegan. Simply notify us at the time of reservation and our chefs will prepare a meal suited to your needs.
Dinner is elegant, with the dress code being formal. Tasteful background music compliments the evening. The Dining car can accommodate 42 guests in a sitting, with 2 sittings when needed.
Suites
During day your suite serves as a lounge where you can relax and enjoy the passing vista, at night it transformed into an elegant bedroom. Bedding is made from goosedown and 100% percale-cotton. Modern amenities include individually controlled air-conditioning, underfloor heating and electronic entertainment. The elegance of the suite carries on in the marble and gold-fitted en-suite bathroom, with scented bathsalts and monogrammed towels.
The De Luxe coaches consist of 4 suites, each measuring 4m x 2m. One of these has a double bed and ¾ bathtub with handheld shower. The rest have twin beds and showers.
The Luxury coaches consist of 3 Luxury suites, each measuring 5,13m x 2m. You have the options of twin beds or a double bed.
Services and Facilities
- En-suite bathrooms with Italian marble, gold-plated fittings and fully remote-controlled facilities
- Fully soundproofed
- Individually controlled air-conditioning
- Under-floor heating
- Personal butler and 24 hour room service
- GPS system and TV monitor that tracks the train progress and shares the driver’s view
- Interactive entertainment system
The Blue Train Rates & Schedules
Pretoria and Cape Town
The Blue Train departs from Pretoria on selected Mondays and Wednesdays and from Cape Town on select Wednesdays and Fridays. Guests can check in between 10:00 and 11:30, and the train departs at 12:00 arriving at its’ destination at 18:00 on day three. Coffee and tea is served in the pre-departure lounges while boarding formalities are in progress. After boarding, fruit platters are served in your suite.
IMPORTANT: Train departure and arrival times are not guaranteed.
| 2024 RATES & SCHEDULES | ||
|---|---|---|
| PTY – CPT Itinerary CPT – PTY Itinerary Reservation Form | ||
| Pretoria to Cape Town | Cape Town to Pretoria | |
| January | 8, 15, 22, 29 | 11, 18, 25 |
| February | 5, 12, 19, 26 | 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 |
| March | 4, 11, 18, 25 | 7, 14, 21, 28 |
| April | 1, 8, 15, 22 | 4, 11, 18, 25 |
| May | 6, 13 | 9, 16 |
| June | – | – |
| July | 8, 15 | 11, 18 |
| August | 5, 12 | 8, 15 |
| September | 2, 9, 16 | 5, 12, 19 |
| October | 7, 14*, 21*, 28 | 10, 17*, 24*, 31 |
| November | 4, 11, 18 | 7, 14, 21 |
| December | 2, 9, 16 | 5, 12, 19 |
*Denotes a cancelled departure
| 2024 Rates per person sharing – One Way | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pretoria to Cape Town | Cape Town to Pretoria | |
| Low Season: | 1 January – 31 August & 16 November – 31 December | |
| De Luxe Suites | R32’435.00 | R32’435.00 |
| Luxury Suites | R41’380.00 | R41’380.00 |
| High Season: | 1 September – 15 November | |
| De Luxe Suites | R40’035.00 | R40’035.00 |
| Luxury Suites | R50’560.00 | R50’560.00 |
| *For a Single Adult travelling alone add 50% to the above rates. | ||
| 2025 RATES & SCHEDULES | ||
|---|---|---|
| PTY – CPT Itinerary CPT – PTY Itinerary Reservation Form | ||
| Pretoria to Cape Town | Cape Town to Pretoria | |
| January | 06, 13, 20*, 27 | 09, 16, 23*, 30 |
| February | 03, 10, 17, 24 | 06, 13, 20, 27 |
| March | 03*, 10, 17, 24 | 06*, 13, 20, 27 |
| April | 07, 14, 21 | 10, 17, 24 |
| May | 05, 12 | 08, 15 |
| June | – | – |
| July | 07, 14, 21 | 10, 17, 24 |
| August | 11, 18, 25 | 14, 21, 28 |
| September | 08, 15, 22 | 11, 18, 25 |
| October | 06, 13, 20, 27 | 09, 16, 23, 30 |
| November | 03, 10, 17 | 06, 13, 20 |
| December | 01, 08, 15 | 04, 11, 18 |
*Denotes a cancelled departure
| 2025 Rates per person sharing – One Way | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pretoria to Cape Town | Cape Town to Pretoria | |
| Low Season: | 1 January – 31 August & 16 November – 31 December | |
| De Luxe Suite | R36’325.00 | R36’325.00 |
| Luxury Suite | R46’345.00 | R46’345.00 |
| High Season: | 1 September – 15 November | |
| De Luxe Suite | R44’840.00 | R44’840.00 |
| Luxury Suite | R56’625.00 | R56’625.00 |
| *For a Single Adult travelling alone add 50% to the above rates. | ||
Rates Include
- Two nights onboard the Blue Train
- All applicable snacks, meals & drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic), Cognacs and Cuban cigars
- High Tea
- Blue Train Gift & Certificate
- 24-hour Butler service
- Wi-Fi
- Off the train excursion
- One night’s accommodation in a 5*Hotel (pre- or post-departure)
- Station/Hotel transfer
Rates Exclude
- French champagne
- Caviar
- Telephone calls
- Gratuities whilst on board The Blue Train
- Services not mentioned
- Cannot be combined with other offers
Enquiry Form
FAQ
Gratuities are not included in your rate and is at your own discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation in this manner, there is an envelope in your suite that you can insert into a box at the end of your journey. The gratuities will be evenly distributed amongst all the staff on board. A suggested amount would be between R100.00 – R200.00.
Upon receipt of your online enquiry, we will confirm availability via email. The email will contain the reservation form which can be completed and emailed/faxed back to us. We will then confirm (in writing) your selected suite and departure date via confirmation invoice. Upon receipt of a 25% deposit, your reservation will be confirmed. Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
Cancellations received more than 60 days prior to departure date are subject to a cancellation fee of 25% of the ticket price per individual booking or group bookings.
Cancellations received less than 60 days prior to departure are subject to a cancellation fee of 80% of the ticket price per guest.
Once a ticket has been purchased, a reservation may be changed for a departure at an earlier or later date without a cancellation penalty being imposed. However should there be a rate difference, the client would be requested to pay the difference immediately. Should the rate difference be in favour of the guest, no money will be refunded and the guest will be informed accordingly.
If an amendment, cancellation or no-show is caused by an illness and verified by a registered doctor’s letter, we will consider waiving all or part of the cancellation fee according to the merits of each case with a maximum refund amount of 90% of the actual money received.
Non-compliance with these booking conditions will automatically cancel a provisional reservation without further notice.
Pretoria to Cape Town: The Blue Train departs at 16h00 and arrives in Cape Town at 10h30. Check in opens 2 hours prior to departure.
Cape Town to Pretoria: The Blue Train departs at 16h00 and arrives in Pretoria at 10h30. Check in opens 2 hours prior to departure.
Pretoria to Hoedspruit: The Blue Train departs at 15h00 and arrives at its destination the following day at 10h00. Check in opens 1 hour prior to departure.
Hoedspruit to Pretoria: The Blue Train departs at 15h00 and arrives at its destination the following day at 10h00. Check in opens 1 hour prior to departure.
Only South African Rands are accepted. All major credit cards can also be used on the train.
The friendly, efficient and highly-trained staff take great pride in resolving your every query and satisfying your every need. From an early morning wake-up call to a blouse in pressing need, one call and your butler will take care of it all. The Train Manager is also on call at all times. In addition, the two highly-trained on-board technicians are always eager to share their knowledge with you.
Children should be kept under strict adult supervision of either their parents/guardians and should not inconvenience other guests. Unfortunately no special meals are available for children and / or infants on the train.
The Blue Train operates with an Electric locomotive and runs on air cushions.
There is a menu for every taste. Whether you require Kosher or Halaal meals, or gluten-free vegan options, simply make your needs known at the time of your reservation.
Pretoria – Cape Town: High Tea 16:30 | Dinner 19:00 – 20:30 | 20:45 – 22:00 | Breakfast 06:00 – 09:00 | Lunch 11:30 – 13:00 / 13:15 – 14:30
Cape Town – Pretoria: High Tea 16:30 | Dinner 19:00 – 20:30 | 20:45 – 22:00 | Breakfast 06:00 – 09:00 | Lunch 11:30 – 13:00 | 13:15 – 14:30
Pretoria – Hoedspruit: Dinner 18:30 | 20:30 | Breakfast 06:30 – 09:30
Throughout the journey, your personal butler will consistently supply you with bottled water. It is not advisable to drink the tap water.
During the day is smart casual. In keeping with tradition it is a compulsory custom to dress formal for dinner to match the sheer elegance of The Blue Train. Eveningwear is elegant and gentleman are requested to wear a jacket and tie and Ladies elegant. During the day dress code is smart casual.
All suites are equipped with a private digital interactive entertainment system, with an inviting selection of music CDs and big-screen movies on Blue-Ray DVD. Guests can also enjoy a camera-view from the drivers’ perspective from the comfort of your own suite. All suites are fitted with WI-FI service that is complimentary.
On board, The Blue Train is a smoke free zone. The Club Lounge is the only dedicated smoking area.
It is advisable to pack an overnight bag for the journey, as only a limited amount of luggage can be stored in the suite. Butlers will store additional luggage in the luggage car.
The Boutique shop will be open at certain times where guests will be able to buy hand made jewelery and Blue Train branded momento gifts.
Special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoon, etc is very important and The Blue Train strives to make it extra special. Kindly inform us of your occasion.
The train has an electric supply of 220V and a 3-point round wall plug is available in every suite. International adaptors are also available. Each bathroom has 110V/220V 2-pin plugs available for shavers.
An electronic safe is provided in the cupboard in each suite.
The Blue Train’s telephone system allows you to contact your butler or the Train Manager 24-hours-a-day. If you wish to make a local or international call, the staff will gladly assist you to do so, at an additional fee.
Guest can control their own temperature as each suite has its own air-conditioning system and under-floor heating. Unfortunately The Blue Train’s windows can not open.
No Pets allowed.
For safety reasons no guest is allowed to bring dangerous goods such as firearms, flammable substances, fireworks, poisonous or toxic substance on board The Blue Train unless special arrangements have been made prior to departure and written permission of such arrangement has been given by The Blue Train management to the guest.
