The Blue Train - Pretoria to Cape Town 2024/25
Itinerary
3 days / 2 nights
Day 1 : Depart Pretoria
Register and check in from 10:00 at the rail station lounge in the jacaranda city of Pretoria - the administrative capital of South Africa. Enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks before boarding. From 11:15, Butlers will help guests board and show them to their cabins. The train departs the station at 12:00 and travels south through farmlands and the gold mining fields of South Africa's 'golden arc'.
Lunch is served in the Dining Car from 13:00. Spend the afternoon watching the scenery of South Africa pass by your window and getting to know your fellow guests.
Join your new companions in the Bar Car for an aperitif, before sitting to enjoy a sumptuous dinner in one of the restaurant cars. Remember, dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket and tie and ladies elegant evening wear. Later, guests can enjoy post-dinner drinks, cognac and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to bed.
Day 2 : Kimberley
Breakfast is served between 07:00 and 10:00 and can be taken either in the Restaurant Car in in your suite. After breakfast, the train arrives into Kimberley where you disembark for an off-the-train excursion.
Kimberley, capital of the Northern Cape Province has a notable historical importance because of its diamond mining past and the siege during the Second Boer War. Fortunes were made here by entrepreneurs such as Cecil Rhodes and Barney Barnato, and De Beers, the world known diamond company can also trace its roots to the early days of this mining town.
Your excursion takes you on a tour through the modern day streets of Kimberly, although much of the old town has been well preserved. There are period buildings that have been restored to their original state including a church that was constructed in Europe, then shipped to Kimberley.
No trip to this town would be complete without a visit the Kimberly Mine Museum and the 'Big Hole', an open-pit and underground mine claimed to be the largest hole in the world excavated by hand. Here, you can re-live the days of the early pioneers and gold prospectors of the 1880s. You can even have the chance of panning for your own diamonds! The Blue Train's luxury coach is used to transport guests, or alternatively you can be taken on a vintage electric tram when it is available.
After your time in Kimberley, board The Blue Train once more, where lunch is served as the train heads south. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your cabin or one of the Lounge Cars as you watch the landscape pass by.
After a relaxing afternoon on board enjoy a drink in one of the lounges with fellow passengers before dinner. As you sit down for a gastronomic delight in the Restaurant Car, the train continues on its south-bound journey into the heartland of the Great Karoo. After dinner and a tipple or two at the bar, retire to your suite where you will find that it has been transformed into a luxuriously comfortable bedroom.
Day 3 : Cape Town
Enjoy breakfast in the Restaurant Car or your suite as the train travels towards Cape Town and the impressive Table Mountain which stands guard over the city.
Savour lunch on board and spend the afternoon at leisure before arriving into Cape Town's Station late-afternoon and bid farewell to fellow passengers and the train's loyal staff.
Download a Copy of the Itinerary
The 'Big Hole' diamond mine at Kimberley
All inclusive drinks at the Bar
Cape Town and Table Mountain
Pretoria to Cape Town Departure Dates
Departures 2024 :
January 8, 15, 22, 29.
February 5, 12, 19, 26.
March 4, 11, 18, 25.
April 1, 8, 15, 22.
May 6, 13.
July 8, 15.
August 5, 12.
September 2, 9,16.
October 7, 14, 21, 28.
November 4, 11, 18.
December 2, 9, 16.
Departures 2025 :
January 6, 13, 20, 27.
February 3, 10, 17, 24.
March 3, 10, 17, 24.
April 7, 14, 21.
May 5, 12.
July 7, 14, 21.
August 11, 18, 25.
September 8, 15, 22.
October 6, 13, 20, 27.
November 3, 10, 17.
December 1, 8, 15.
Three-Day Itinerary : 2024/25
Day 1 :
10:00
Register and check-in at The Pretoria Station Lounge. Guests enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks.
11:15
Boarding commences. Butlers usher guests to their suites. Suite orientation by butlers.
Boarding concludes at 15:45
12:00
The Blue Train departs from Pretoria Station.
13:00 - 14:15
First sitting for lunch
14:30 - 16:00
Second sitting for lunch
18:30 - 20:00
First sitting for Dinner.
20:30 - 22:00
Second sitting for Dinner.
Remember, dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket and tie and ladies elegant evening wear.
Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, Cognacs and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to bed.
Day 2 :
07:00 - 10:00
Breakfast is served on a first come first serve basis.
10:00
The Blue Train arrives at Kimberley Station.
Guests disembark and assemble at the railway museum, from where they will be ushered to a bus, which transfers
them to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum.
10:30
Guests arrive at the Open Mine Museum for a tour of the mine.
Guests are first taken to view interesting and historical sites. Guests are also taken onto an enclosed ramp on the
edge of the Kimberly hole.
12:30
Guests depart from the Open Mine Museum for Kimberley Station.
At Kimberley Station guests are greeted with a glass of sherry. The sherry glass engraved with The Blue Train logo
is a memento for guests to keep.
13:00
The Blue Train departs Kimberley Station for the journey Southbound to Cape Town.
After this exciting tour, guests are free to refresh themselves and enjoy aperitifs served at any one of
the train's lounges.
13:00 - 14:15
First sitting for lunch
14:30 - 16:00
Second sitting for lunch
16:30
High Tea is served in the Non-Smoking Lounge Car.
18:30 - 20:30
First sitting for dinner.
20:30 - 22:00
Second sitting for dinner.
Remember, dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket and tie and ladies elegant evening wear.
Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, Cognacs and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to bed.
Day 3 :
07:00 - 10:00
Breakfast is served on a first come first serve basis.
13:00 - 14:15
First sitting for lunch
14:30 - 16:00
Second sitting for lunch
18:00
The Blue Train arrives at Cape Town Station.
Butlers usher guests to The Blue Train Lounge. Thank you for joining The Blue Train on this memorable experience!
Train Fares Pretoria to Cape Town 2024/25 :
Deluxe Suite from £TBA per person
Luxury Suite from £TBA per person
Prices are per person, sharing a twin/double suite, one way.
Please note that all prices shown are intended as a guide only, as rates can vary depending on currency fluctuations etc. The correct prices will be quoted at the time of booking.
Price Includes :
- Accommodation on board the train.
- All table d'hôte meals and room service.
- All alcoholic and other beverages, except for certain imported beverages.
- Sightseeing excursions and entrance fees.
Please note: All timings and itineraries shown are for your guidance only. Confirmed timings and itineraries will be supplied with your travel documents.
