The Blue Train – Cape Town to Pretoria – Two Days

Overview

Countries visited: South Africa

Luxury takes on a new dimension with the world famous Blue Train route between Cape Town and Pretoria. You’ll experience it the moment you step into the pre-departure lounges in either Cape Town or Pretoria.

This 27-hour journey of 1600 kilometres (995 miles) will take you through breathtaking scenery and is defined by personal attention and devotion to detail.

Gourmet cuisine and fine dining is freshly prepared onboard by executive chefs, opulent lounges are on hand to relax in and your suites are sumptuously decorated with en suite facilities.

This is a perfect journey for couples, romantic getaways and honeymoons.

On the Northbound journey, the train leaves Cape Town at 08:30 and arrives in Pretoria at 12:30, in time for high tea the following day. It stops at Matjiesfontein for an off-the-train excursion.
Guests are reminded that they must be at the station an hour before the departure time.

THIS TRAIN JOURNEY IS AVAILABLE IN REVERSE FROM PRETORIA TO CAPE TOWN

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart Cape Town

Register and check-in at The Blue Train Lounge, Cape Town Station. Enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks prepared for your arrival. Your trip starts with orientation by your assigned Butler regarding your stay on the Blue Train
Once everyone is settled down to enjoy brunch, the train will depart from Cape Town Station.

Your planned route takes you to Matjiesfontein where a 45 minute off-the-train excursion will take place. Before you embark on your excursion you will be invited for a glass of sherry at the bar. The sherry glass engraved with The Blue Train logo is a memento for guests to keep.

The Victoria  buildings and original nineteenth century London lampposts impart to the traveller, the uncanny sense of entering a colonial time warp – an oasis suspended in a different age.
After your activities in Matjiesfontein the train departs for its northbound journey to Pretoria.

En route, high tea will be served in the Lounge Car.

After an exciting interlude guests are free to refresh themselves and enjoy pre-dinner drinks at any one of the lounges on board.
First sitting dinner.

Second sitting dinner. Remember, dinner is an elegant affair and men are requested to wear a jacket and tie and ladies elegant evening wear.

Day 2: Morning and arrival in Pretoria

Breakfast is served in the dining area, you also have the option of having breakfast served to your suite.
At midday the Blue Train arrives at Pretoria Station. You will be assisted to your transfer and your onward travel arrangements.

Accommodation

De Luxe Suite Coach

Your De Luxe Suite will forever alter your definition of what style and class entail. From your elegant and relaxing lounge during the day, it transforms into a subtly-lit bedroom of indulgence during the night, bedecked with goose-down and 100 per cent percale-cotton bedding, from your individually-controlled air-conditioning system, under-floor heating, opulent marble and gold-fitted bathroom, its scented bath salts and plush monogrammed towels, to the electronic entertainment options on offer.

And then, of course, all this accompanied by the ever-changing vistas of the countryside…

The De Luxe coaches each have four suites that measure 4 by 2 metres. One of these contains a double bed and a ¾ size bath tub with handheld shower, while the others have twin beds with showers.

Luxury Suite Coach

Your Luxury Suite will enchant you from the moment your personal butler ushers you aboard. It extends the offering from a De Luxe suite even further; by an extra metre of your domain, with twin or double bedded suites which offer you long and luxurious bath tubs and a private digital interactive entertainment system, with an inviting selection of music CDs and big-screen movies on Blue-Ray DVD.

Luxury coaches have three Luxury Suites that each measure 5,13 by 2 metres and give you the option of twin beds or a double bed.

Your De Luxe or Luxury suites are your home-away-from-home lounges. Need to send an important email halfway across the world or make that urgent phone call? Relax in knowing that all suites are fitted with WI-FI service that is complimentary to all our guests. Use the telephone system in each suite to dial your butler, at no extra charge, for an apéritif or even call family and friends across the Atlantic and relay your Blue Train experience at a minimal fee.

An act of alchemy transforms your sitting area into a restful night-time sanctuary. Goose down duvets and pillows and 100 percent percale cotton bedding envelop you as you drift off after a soothing, scented soak or shower in your marble and gold-appointed bathroom, lulled by the rhythm of the whispering wheels.

More Info

Departure Dates: 

Pretoria to Cape Town

January 2015:  5, 12, 19, 26, 31

February 2015:  9, 16, 23

March 2015:  2, 11, 16, 25

Cape Town to Pretoria

January 2015:  7, 14, 21, 28

February 2015:  2, 11, 12, 18, 25

March 2015:  4, 13, 18, 27