Blue Train South Africa | South Africa Train Journey

Introduction 

 The Blue Train has been synonymous with luxury hospitality, tourism and leisure since 1946.It offers a unique way of experiencing some of Southern Africa’s magnificent landscapes and landmarks. On board the train, guests indulge with fine cuisine accompanied by some of the best wines South Africa has to offer. Around-the-clock personal Butlers see to the guests’ every need for the duration of their experience; be it in the comfort of their private suites or at any one of our exquisite lounges. 

Pre-departure lounges 

Your holiday starts the moment you step into any of The Blue Train’s pre-departure lounges in Pretoria or Cape Town. Guests are requested to check in an hour before departure. Guests travelling from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town are checked in at a designated hotel and transferred to the station for departure. 

Suite facilities 

On The Blue Train luxury assumes a new dimension, becoming the working definition of everything your heart desires. You’ll feel it from the moment you step into your suite, transformed from an elegant, spacious lounge by day, into a sanctuary of comfort and slumber by night. 

The De Luxe suite offers you a choice between twin beds (with shower) or double beds (with bath).

Luxury suites are more spacious and offer twin or double beds with bath facilities

All suites on board The Blue Train come equipped with a writing desk, ideally positioned next to the window, where you can note the view in style. Each suite is a world on its own, with an individually controlled air-conditioning system and a private entertainment centre with a choice of movie channels and radio stations. The Luxury Suite takes the choice even further, with an inviting selection of compact disks and movies on video and DVD. 

You can also tune into the driver’s eye view camera, and watch the world ahead as you swiftly glide along. 

The Blue Train is synonymous with the luxury of personal service that comes as standard with a dedicated Butler at your beck and call to ensure the ultimate definition of luxury in motion. 

Fine dining 

The Blue Train provides fine dining and the gourmet cuisine is complemented by the carefully selected, best South African wines. 

All meals are freshly prepared on board the train by Executive Chefs. In keeping with the classically romantic ambience of the 42-seater dining car, lunch is a casual affair, while dinner is formal. Men are requested to wear a jacket and tie or dress in traditional attire and ladies are requested to dress in elegant evening wear or traditional attire. 

Elegant lounge facilities 

The warm ambience of the elegant lounge car with its large windows allows for panoramic views of the passing countryside. Enjoy high tea in the warm surroundings of the lounge car or meet for a pre-dinner drink. 

Should you prefer the more relaxing ambience of a gentleman’s pub atmosphere, then the club car is the ideal place to be, offering impeccable service with its card tables, a small library and a fully-equipped bar. Here guests can watch a short film about the areas, which the train is passing. After dinner guests can also enjoy a Cuban cigar before they retire to their suites. 

Description of route and off-the train excursions

• Pretoria – Cape Town – Pretoria

The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery the sub-continent has to offer. Southbound, off-the train excursions include the diamond town of Kimberley where one can explore the Big Hole and the Diamond Museum. Northbound, visit the small town of Matjiesfontein, which includes the famous Lord Milner Hotel and the old Car Museum.

• Garden route: Cape Town – Port Elizabeth – Cape Town

The Blue Train takes you on a 2-night and 1½-days journey between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth over the majestic Outeniqua Pass, stopping at Oudtshoorn for a memorable off-the train excursion, which includes a visit to the world-famous Cango Caves and an Ostrich farm, ending at a local restaurant which prides itself on serving an indigenous flavour of South African cuisine

Tailor-made charters

Why not charter The Blue Train for strategic meetings, product launches, VIP breakfasts, lunches, dinner and cocktail parties, weddings and more. You can also book a charter with a difference such as a Golfing or Safari charter. Traverse along the Victoria Falls route where The Blue Train offers a window to view nature situated to the north of South Africa’s borders. The route winds its way to the awesome “Smoke that Thunders”. Or make your way through the unique beauty of the Olifants Valley to the Game Reserves and other attractions of the Mpumalanga Province. Charters are not limited to the charter options or the routes mentioned above. Charters are dependant on rail network’s compatibility with The Blue Train’s technology

Business “Unusual” – Conference facility

The Blue Train’s conference facility offers a venue for up to 22 delegates. Equipped with audio visual and technical equipment for a high-level business meeting or small conference, this is surely one of the most spectacular meeting venues for the discerning businessperson. 

The Conference car can also be adapted for smaller meetings offering a more relaxed atmosphere. The Blue Train offers far more than just a journey. It is an all-inclusive experience offering a combination of unsurpassed luxury travel, five star accommodation, fine cuisine, personalised butler service and routes that offer breathtaking views of the countryside. 

So take a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where spectacular scenery stirs your imagination and luxurious comfort soothes your body and soul. 

The Blue Train Accolades

For over half a century South Africa’s Blue Train has enjoyed an international reputation as one of the world’s pre-eminent travelling experiences. It has been voted for four consecutive years (1998/99/2000/01) the “World’s leading luxury train” by some 250 000 travel agents in 181 countries at the World Travel Awards. The Blue Train has also been awarded Diners Club International Merit Award for its finest wine for four consecutive years (1999/2000/01/02). In 1998 The Blue Train was also awarded an award for being one of the “20 Best Experiences in the World”. Indeed an impressive record of accolades.

THE BLUE TRAIN – UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES 

• Strong heritage 

• Panoramic size windows 

• Modern and Technological advancement of the product (Driver’s Eye View camera, unique coupling, air-cushion suspension system, TV monitor in the suites, improved automated entertainment system, GPS) 

• Travel throughout day and night (don’t have to stop for our guests to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest) 

• On board entertainment (TV monitors in room enabling guests to watch movies, selection of music channels and radio stations to listen to etc.) 

• Unique conference facility 

• On board boutique selling exquisite jewellery pieces and Blue Train branded mementos 

• Luxurious, comfortable experience 

The Blue Train, A Window To The Soul Of South Africa

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