The routes of The Blue Train take guests through some of the most breathtaking countryside to be found anywhere in the world. As the ever-changing scenery flashes past the windows, guests can savour exquisite meals freshly prepared on board by top chefs. Our meals are complimented by the best wines South Africa has to offer.

The suites on The Blue Train live up to its reputation for magnificence and splendour. The finest bed linen, marble tiles and gold fittings in the bathrooms and sheer opulence all ensure that guests will never forget the time they spend on The Blue Train.

When you choose to travel on The Blue Train, you choose to travel in a world of grace, elegance and romance.

Meet your fellow guests over lunch

Fine dining
The Blue Train experience is a banquet for all the senses and this is especially true of our dining car. Here the reassuring weight of Sheffield cutlery and crystal glassware on crisp white linen set the tone for the delights to follow.

As the sky darkens over the landscape, the day's smart-casual dress code gives way to a parade of elegant eveningwear or traditional attire, in keeping with The Blue Train's classic livery and earthy African décor.

Each meal is scored to a selection of tasteful background music, ranging from smooth jazz to light classical to the mellow tones of the Soweto String Quartet.

A meal on The Blue Train is an experience in itself. Our menus feature a selection of local cuisine from Karoo lamb and ostrich fillet to Knysna oysters accompanied by award-winning cultivars from the Cape winelands, all serving as the perfect complement to the landscape through which you are travelling.

Prepared from the freshest produce and ingredients, artfully presented in the finest Silver Service tradition, The Blue Train's legendary cuisine is an irresistible tribute to culinary mastery.

The Blue Train is fully equipped to accommodate vegetarian, Halaal, Kosher or other special dietary requirements, which should be specified when you make your reservation. Join us at one of two dinnertime sittings, or savour your meal in the comfort of your suite. A Continental or full English breakfast is served at your leisure.

Take your seat and make yourself at home. The banquet is about to begin.

Elegant lounges
Linking the private suites of The Blue Train are two wood-panelled cars: the lounge and club cars. Our elegant lounges are ideally positioned for an apéritif, an interlude between meals or an after-dinner conversation over coffee, cognac and Cuban cigars.

Smokers will feel at home instantly in the burnished surroundings of the club car, where mellow lamplight sets the tone for quiet reflection or the glow of good company.

You can while away the miles with a game of cards, chess or backgammon, tune in to the big-screen television or browse through a volume from the library while savouring your beverage of choice from the well-stocked bar. Unwind, relax, and indulge.

There is one Club Car Where smoking is permitted

The Lounge car where traditional high tea is served

Guests savouring an after dinner drink in the Lounge car

The train manager is also on call at all times. Guests can contact him whenever they require assistance or if they would like information pertaining to their journey.

Our on-board services include:

A variety of delicious snacks and beverages served in your suite on request,
A limited on-board laundry and valet service,
Safes in all the suites for your valuables, and
A luggage van for additional luggage that a guest may not need during the journey.
The two engineers who are always on board the train are happy to share their knowledge with train enthusiasts.

The telephone in each suite allows guests to contact the train manager or butler 24 hours a day. Should guests wish to make external calls (local or international), the staff will gladly assist them to do so at a nominal fee. Fax facilities are also available.

Blue Train Routes - Scheduled Routes

Pretoria - Cape Town - Pretoria
The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1 600 kilometres (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent.

On the southbound trip, the train departs from Pretoria mid-morning and arrive in Cape Town just after lunch the following day. En route the train stops at the famous diamond town of Kimberley where guests can explore the Diamond Museum and the Big Hole, the biggest man-made hole in the world.

On the northbound journey, the train leaves Cape Town just before noon and arrives in Pretoria in time for high tea the following day. It stops at the historic town Matjiesfontein, where guests can visit the famous Lord Milner Hotel and the old car museum.

Pretoria - Durban route
The Durban route takes guests from Pretoria to Zimbali Lodge in Durban. The package includes two nights' accommodation on The Blue Train and two nights at Zimbali Lodge. Zimbali Lodge, home to a spectacular 18-hole golf course, is the golfer's ideal retreat. It boasts indigenous trees, natural streams and ponds which create a dramatic and beautiful setting.

Guests who are not interested in golf are treated to leisurely days being pampered with health spa treatments. On the last day, guests are transferred to Durban Station where the train departs for Pretoria.

Special Packaged Routes
The Blue Train Bakubung Game Lodge Bonanza
This route takes guests from Pretoria to Bakubung Game Lodge for an unforgettable two night stay, with daily game drives accompanied by qualified rangers and trackers.

New Year's Eve:
Additional information are available upon request for Itinerary and rates for the special new year's eve trip

The Blue Train Luxury Suites
The luxury suites extend your personal domain by more than a metre, and the twin or double-bed suites offer deep, long baths for slow, luxuriant soaking.

The suites extend the choice of radio and movie channels even further by including a private digital entertainment centre and an inviting selection of music CDs and big-screen movies on DVD.

Credit and more details on the Blue train official site

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa stands at the edge of the world