The Blue Train

• Travel in comfort between Cape Town and Pretoria
• Choice of luxury and deluxe suites
• Your own butler on call
• Savour gourmet food in the dining car
• Relax in the lounge and club cars

Operates: The Blue Train operates all year. Low season runs from 1st January to 31st August & 16th November to 31st December. High season is 1st September to 15th November.

Location: The Blue Train operates between Pretoria and Cape Town and vice versa, a two night-three day journey. There are occasional services between Pretoria and Kruger National Park, a two-day ride. The train can also be chartered and routes tailored accordingly.

Rooms: There are deluxe and luxury suites. Deluxe carriages have 4 suites, one with a double bed and a three-quarter size bath as well as a shower in the bathroom, and the others with twin beds and showers. Each suite measures 4 x 2 metres. The luxury suites are slightly larger (5 x 2 metres) and there are 3 per carriage. All have double or twin beds and a full-size bathtub in the bathroom. By day your suite has 2 cushioned are chairs or a sofa and a table by the window. At night this space is transformed into your bedroom. All luxury bedding is provided. There is air conditioning and underfloor heating and you have an in-suite music and entertainment system. There is a safe for storing valuables. The large window lets you enjoy the scenery as you travel. Toiletries and fluffy towels are provided in the bathrooms which have marble surfaces and gold fittings. Each carriage has a butler, who looks after the passengers and has his or her own cabin and is just a phone call away. A corridor runs the length of the carriage.

Activities: You are welcome to spend the duration of the journey on board, enjoying the changing scenery, fine food and company. If travelling between Pretoria and Durban you are whisked from one city to another, non-stop. Travelling from Pretoria to Cape Town you have time to explore the diamond rush town of Kimberley. Travelling northbound the train stops at Matjiesfontein to see the Victorian buildings and enjoy a glass of sherry at the bar.

Facilities: Each train has a lounge car and a club car, both areas where you can sit back and enjoy the company of fellow travellers. The lounge car is positioned in the middle of the train and has comfy seating and large windows. There is an attentive barman to make sure your cup or glass never runs dry. This is the venue for high tea each afternoon. The dark wood panelling of the club car recalls the gentleman's club of yesteryear. Drinks, cigars, chess, backgammon and cards are all available. There is a TV, too and a selection of reading matter. There is a limited on-board laundry service. There is a baggage van where you can store any luggage you do not need for the journey. Train layouts can vary, but the usual one accommodates up to 80 passengers in 11 suite carriages, with a club car, lounge car, dining car, conference car and baggage van. Other carriages are predominantly for staff use.

Dining: Meals are served in the light, elegant dining car. All meals are freshly prepared onboard using local ingredients and the chefs take great pride in their work. You can eat with other passengers or enjoy intimate meals for two. Fine quality china and glittering cut crystal add to the air of opulent luxury. The dining car accommodates 42 people. If there are more passengers on the train meals are served in two sittings. You can also dine in the privacy of your own suite.

Children: Children can travel on The Blue Train on request only.

Communication: There is Wi-Fi internet access.