Think of the Blue Train as a small luxury hotel that happens to cross a country. You unpack once, hand the details to your butler, and watch South Africa change from the Highveld to the Karoo to the Cape winelands outside your window.
South Africa's Most Famous Train
For more than a century, the line between Pretoria and Cape Town has carried South Africa's grandest trains, and the Blue Train is the one people have heard of. It runs about 1,600 km (994 miles) between the two cities over two nights, taking in the gold country around Johannesburg, the diamond town of Kimberley, the vast open spaces of the Great Karoo and the mountain passes of the Hex River Valley before rolling into Cape Town beneath Table Mountain.
The train carries a small number of guests, so it never feels crowded. Every coach has its own butler on call around the clock, and the fare covers almost everything: your suite, all meals, snacks and drinks, wine and spirits included, cognac and Cuban cigars after dinner, and a guided excursion in Kimberley. There is very little to pay for once you step aboard.
A Legend Born in Royal Blue
Luxury rail travel in South Africa grew out of the gold and diamond rushes of the late 1800s, when the railway linked the harbour at Cape Town with the mines at Kimberley and the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. In the 1920s two trains ran the route in style: the Union Limited and the Union Express, carrying passengers between the mail ships in Cape Town and the booming city of Johannesburg.
By the late 1930s these trains had new steel carriages painted a deep royal blue, and travellers began calling them simply "the blue trains". Services were suspended during the Second World War, and when they returned in 1946 the nickname became the official name. The Blue Train was born.
A new generation of carriages followed in 1972, and in the 1990s the train was completely rebuilt. The first of the new sets left Cape Town on 1 August 1997, and a second followed from Pretoria the next year. Suspension, braking and underfloor heating were all designed around a smooth, quiet ride, which is why so many guests say they sleep better on the Blue Train than they expected to.
The Journeys
The classic route runs in both directions between Pretoria and Cape Town on scheduled dates through most of the year. The Blue Train also runs a small number of special journeys each year, and these tend to sell out early.
Pretoria to Cape Town
Board at Irene Station in Centurion, just south of Pretoria, and head south through the Highveld, with a stop in Kimberley to visit the Big Hole before crossing the Karoo to the Cape. Day-by-day itinerary
Cape Town to Pretoria
Leave Cape Town through the winelands and the Hex River mountains, spend the night crossing the Karoo, and visit Kimberley on the second day before arriving in Pretoria. Day-by-day itinerary
Pretoria to Kruger
A rail safari from Pretoria to Hoedspruit on the edge of the Greater Kruger. It runs on only a handful of dates, and pairs beautifully with a stay at a private game lodge. Ask us about dates
Durban and Victoria Falls
Every so often the Blue Train runs between Pretoria and Durban, or north to Victoria Falls and back. Dates are announced at short notice, so let us know if you would like to hear about the next one. Register your interest
Private charter of the whole train is also possible for celebrations, incentive groups and corporate events. Please get in touch for details.
Your Suite
All suites have their own bathroom, individually controlled air conditioning, a safe and an entertainment system, and beds are made up by your butler while you are at dinner. There are two types to choose from.
De Luxe Suite
Around 4 metres by 2 metres, with twin or double beds and a shower. A smart, well-planned space that converts from a lounge by day to a bedroom at night.
Luxury Suite
Larger, at about 5 metres by 2 metres, with twin or double beds and a full-length bath. Just three of these share each Luxury coach, so there is more space all round.
You can see photos and full details on the Blue Train suites page.
Dining and Life on Board
Meals are a big part of the journey. The kitchen works with South African produce, so expect dishes such as Karoo lamb, venison and Cape line fish, served with a wine list drawn from the country's best estates. Lunch and dinner are served in two sittings in the dining car, and breakfast can be taken there or in your suite.
Days are relaxed and smart casual. In the evening the train dresses up, with a jacket and tie for gentlemen and elegant evening wear for ladies. Between meals there are two lounges to enjoy: the Lounge Car, where afternoon tea is served, and the wood-panelled Club Car just behind the locomotive, where cognac and Cuban cigars appear after dinner.
Read more about daily life, the lounges and the dress code on our On Board page.
What Is Included
All Meals and Drinks
Every meal and snack on board, plus wine, spirits, soft drinks and after-dinner cognac.
Butler Service
A butler for each coach, on call day and night for anything you need.
Kimberley Excursion
A guided visit to the Big Hole and the open mine museum on the Pretoria and Cape Town route.
Wi-Fi On Board
Complimentary Wi-Fi in the suites, although signal can come and go in the remote Karoo.
French Champagne and caviar are available at an extra charge. Gratuities are at your discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Your Trip
Most of our guests combine the Blue Train with a few nights in Cape Town and a safari, and we can put the whole trip together for you, including flights, hotels and transfers. We have hotel suggestions in Pretoria, and plenty of ideas for the Cape.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, including safety, local laws, passports and visas, please see gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.