train trips cape town

THE 5 BEST Cape Town Rail Tours

Rail tours in cape town.

• Ports of Call Tours
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• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Franschhoek wine Tram & Stellenbosch Town Full day tour

2. Steam Train to Elgin Railway Market

3. Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Transfers from Cape Town

4. Franschhoek Wine Tram Tour with private transfer from Cape Town

5. Daily Departures Franschhoek Tram Explorer Tour

6. 4 Day Cape Town Top Things To Do including Accommodation

7. Ride Public Transport (Trains & Buses) with a Spatial Planning Activist

8. Franschhoek Wine Tram Tour

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Ziplining Elgin

Sommelier Secret Sessions: Unlocking the Mysteries of Wine

SPARKLING Sensation - Private Stellenbosch Bubbly tour

E-Bike Stellenbosch to Franschhoek

What travelers are saying.

• Franschhoek wine Tram & Stellenbosch Town Full day tour
• Steam Train to Elgin Railway Market
• Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Transfers from Cape Town
• Franschhoek Wine Tram Tour
• Franschhoek Wine Tram Tour with private transfer from Cape Town
• The Black Sheep Agency
• Victor Kasongo
• Live Life African Safari Getaways
• Marula Tours

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Atlantic rail steam train in cape town.

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Vintage fun for the whole family

Buxom, beautiful and still hard at work at the ripe age of 63, Jenny hasn’t let the wrinkles of time mar her life’s mission. Quite on the contrary, the old gal exuberantly continues to pull five wooden-bodied vintage coaches jam-packed with kids, families, proud pensioners, eager tourists and long-time railway enthusiasts from Cape Town to Simon’s Town and back one to three Sundays a month. 

Though not quite as spritely as she was in her younger days – when she used to charge through the deserts and vast open spaces of Namibia with a belly full of coal and a head hot with steam – what the Class 24 locomotive’s lost in speed, she’s gained in charm. 

And on the windy spring day that we arrive at the Cape Town Train Lodge Hotel – our child-like excitement barely in check – she seems especially enchanting. 

Even a less-than-glamorous admission made by a cheerful member of the operations team –“Be sure to use the toilet before you board; the loos are as old as the train itself” – can’t detract from the endearing nostalgia that comes with travelling along one of the Western Cape’s most scenic routes aboard a chugging, tugging relic of the Industrial Revolution. 

Tow-headed boys and barefoot girls zip past as we settle into the Victorian drawing room-style seating area of our coach.  Boasting an original compartment bench and complete with Spoornet windows and springbok decals that date back to the 1930s, the carriage conjures up images of the days of cobblestone streets, canal travel and brassy jazz bands.

Once a symbol of modernity and an essential component of the swift transport of goods and labour necessary for industrialisation, steam trains are now defunct – Jenny’s the last remaining operational ‘engine that could’ in the Western Cape –their raison d’être usurped by their more efficient, less costly diesel and electric counterparts. 

That said, an appreciation for steam train heritage hasn’t suffered the same fate, and thanks to the passion and dedication of Ian Pretorius and Sarah Nielsen, the directors of Atlantic Rail (an organisation that qualifies as the only private vintage steam train operator in South Africa), steam haulage hasn’t been run off the tracks quite yet either. 

The duo, along with other members of the team, spent two years meticulously restoring Jenny’s five passenger carriages, and finally, in 2010, the iron horse was ready to ride again. 

“All aboard,” the conductor hollers, his call punctuated by the sharp whistle of the train’s steam trumpet (named such because the first horns were actually designed by musical instrument makers). 

We pull out of the Cape Town station at a snail’s pace, but gradually pick up speed as we move through the city’s industrial backyard into sprawling suburbia and past the silent stands of the legendary Newlands Cricket Ground.

The white-washed huddle of the Marina Da Gama housing development soon flickers into view, and, before we know it, we’ve rounded the bend to False Bay, the sparkling Atlantic heaving and falling to our left.

Squeezing past the throngs of amateur photographers and children hanging out of windows waving frantically at fishermen and beach walkers below – many of whom stop in their tracks to ogle our noble steed galloping past – we make our way to the food and beverage car. 

While sans electricity (and thus hot drinks), the lively dining carriage boasts a modestly-stocked bar that serves up cool drinks, beers, wine and snacks; though, many of the more seasoned railway travellers lining the car have brought their own selection of sweet treats and munchies on-board, and are immersed in a full-on, and quite literal, meal on wheels.

With chocolate in hand, we make our way back to our seats just in time to see the colourful St James bath houses rush by. The train gives a cordial ‘toot’ and we carry on, skirting the rocky Kalk Bay coastline, snaking our way through Fish Hoek and Glencairn, and finally sauntering into Simon’s Town less than two hours after departure. 

This final part of the line was only completed in 1889, years after the creation of the first segment, as the steep coast, quicksand and river mouths that characterised much of the journey from Kalk bay to Simon’s Town proved challenging hurdles to even basic road construction. Nowadays though, the tail end of the route is far less arduous, but still seemingly just as breathtakingly beautiful as it was in the days when much of the surrounding area belonged to the baboons.  

Upon disembarking, there are countless Kodak moments to be had; after all, Jenny’s an attractive thing. What’s more, the conductors are also more than willing to give the more inquisitive a closer look at the copper gauges and pipes that report back on the train’s impressive motive force. 

With only an allotted 2.5 hours to explore the quiet seaside village though (Jenny departs for Cape Town at 3pm), it’s best not to linger. The African penguins of Boulders Beach, the South African Navy Museum and a bevy of charming pâtisseries, coffee houses and oceanfront eateries eagerly await the arrival of the steam train’s charges. 

Booking and Ticketing for the Atlantic Rail Steam Train

• Atlantic Rail trips are scheduled for Sundays once, twice or three times a month (check the official AlanticRail.co.za website for scheduling details).
• Booking is essential – the steam train journeys fill up fast – and reservations can be made by emailing [email protected] or phoning +27 (0) 21 556 1012.
• Departure time is 10:30am from the Cape Town Train Lodge Hotel, and return time to the Cape Town station is roughly 4:40pm.
• Prices are R220 per adult and R110 for children aged 3 to 12. Children under 3 years of age travel free. 

By Stephanie Katz

Find out more about other great things to do with kids in Cape Town  and read more about the Mother City’s must-dos . 

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SIMON’S TOWN

Embark on a nostalgic journey with Atlantic Rail as we run our newly re-introduced experience to Simon’s Town!

Departing from the Harbour Bridge Platform (AC Marriot Hotel), Cape Town, this picturesque rail adventure promises a delightful 3-hour trip through the scenic Cape landscape to the charming seaside town of Simon’s Town.

Our historic passenger train, pulled by a steam locomotive, ensures a unique experience. Onboard, discover a fully licensed bar and a dining car offering coffee and delectable snacks. For your convenience, we also provide card payment options.

Upon reaching Simonstown between 11h00 and 11h30, you’ll have ample time to explore the town, indulge in a leisurely lunch, and peruse the local museums. The station is a short 800-meter walk from the heart of town, offering you a delightful stroll. There are also alternative means of transport available at the station (TukTuks, shuttles, mini-buses, etc)

As the day unfolds, we bid farewell to Simonstown at 14h30, bringing you back to Cape Town by approximately 17h30. Don’t miss out on this exceptional adventure – book your seat now and join us as we rediscover the allure of Simonstown together!

NB! This route is subject to the movements and operations of PRASA and Transnet, and as such, we may experience delays en-route. Please do not plan events for directly after the trip.

• 08h00 Depart from platform at AC Hotel by Marriot,  Dockrail Rd, Foreshore, Cape Town
• 11h00 – 11h30 Arrive in Simonstown
• 14h30 Departure from Simonstown
• 17h30 Arrive back in Cape Town

We are so excited to have you on board!

• Day Sitter seating – R575 per adult, R450 per child, R500 per pensioner (60 and over)
• Family Coupe seating – R1650 for the unit (Max 3 adults, 1 child)
• Family Compartment seating – R3150 for the unit (Max 6 adults)
• Bar Lounge seating – R799 per seat (no under 18’s)
• Lounge Seating  – R799 per seat
• Observation Car Seating- R899 per seat

Let History Transport You

Journey timeline.

• 07h00 – 07h45: Passengers Arrive
• 07h15: Train arrives at the platform
• 07h15 – 07h55: Passenger boarding
• 08h00: Departure
• This time may change due to delays on the rail network with regards to crossing other trains, infrastructure maintenance, and other safety checks. Delays in excess of 30 – 60 minutes are not uncommon and should be planned for.
• 13h00: Train opens for reboarding (passengers to board at their leisure)
• 14h30: Departure from Simon’s Town
• Passengers are advised not to arrange evening events after the train at a time too close to the arrival of the train back in Cape Town due to possible delays in arrival.
• The ticket is a return ticket and includes the cost of your journey with us.
• No personal food and drink items are permitted onboard. We have a fully stocked bar, dining car (for snacks), and coffee onboard. Payment by cash or card is accepted.
• The train is wheelchair friendly in our Lounge Car seating only.
• No smoking is permitted onboard.
• A light jersey or jacket is advisable in the case of sudden weather changes.
• We strive to have a steam locomotive as part of the trip at all times, but there is the rare occasion that we have a breakdown and are forced to use a diesel locomotive.

General Rules and Other Info

• Safety is our biggest priority onboard, please be sure to read through the points below and communicate them to your children too. Failure to adhere to rules and instructions may lead to you being asked to leave the train.
• First of all, our friendly coach controllers are responsible for your safety onboard and will be introducing themselves to you once onboard. Please ask them any questions you may have, and obey any instructions they give you.
• NB 1:  This is a smoke and vape free train. Where possible, stops will be made en-route for those who wish to smoke.
• NB 2: Please only embark/disembark when told to do so by a Coach Controller. This is for all stops, stations or other unforeseen circumstances.
• NB 3: Do not open any doors whilst the train is moving or when stopping at a station.
• NB 4: Never throw anything out of the train. This includes sweets, chips and other items for people who may be along the tracks. (This is a fineable offence)
• NB 5: When looking out of windows, please do not lean out, as there is vegetation along the tracks that may cause injury.
• NB 6: Walking barefoot on the train is strictly prohibited. The step-over plates between the coaches shift with the movement of the train and may cause pinching and injury. Closed shoes are recommended where possible.
• NB 7: Please stick to your pre-allocated seats, unless the coach controller has transferred you to a different seat.
• NB 8: When approaching a tunnel, the coach controller will inform you to close your windows. This prevents unnecessary smoke from entering the train.
• NB 9: If there is a power failure onboard, please do not use the normal flush toilets. Also, do not use the toilets when the train is standing still.
• NB 10: Glassware and beverages may not be taken off the train onto a station platform due to limitations of our liquor license.
• NB 11: The train is a family environment; drunken and rowdy behaviour places others at risk. We reserve the right to limit further sale of alcohol at our discretion.
• NB 12: Parents are responsible for their children. Children under 10 are not permitted to explore the train on their own. Running onboard is also not allowed.
• NB 13: We cannot control the actions of communities alongside the rail line, although we do out best to. We do have sporadic incidents of stones that are thrown at the train through certain areas; we undertake to do our best to monitor the known hotspots to ensure passengers are protected, and communities are engaged. We have patrollers on duty at various points along the railway line as required.

In Case of Emergency

• Should passengers require medical assistance, there will always be a First Aid officer on the train with a First Aid kit. Report the incident to a Coach Controller or the Train Manager immediately, and they will assist you.
• In the most unlikely event of a fire, there are serviced and working fire extinguishers in each coach. Report it to the Coach Controller or Train Manager who will attend to the matter.
• Should an evacuation be necessary, please only do so once instructed to, and also only exit at a position where it is safe to do so.

LET’S GET SOCIAL

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The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in south africa.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, safe, comfortable south african trains.

Contrary to what you may have heard and to what many middle-class South Africans may tell you, taking the train is a remarkably safe, civilised & enjoyable way to travel between cities in South Africa.  In fact, you'd be crazy not to consider it.  There are several completely different train services:

Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger trains

Comfortable & amazingly cheap, Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger trains link Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth & East London.  They're perfectly safe , and one of South Africa's best-kept secrets, highly recommended by travellers.  The Cape Town to Johannesburg train passes the same wonderful scenery as the megabucks Blue Train, but costs only 690 Rand (£33 or $50) including a bed in a 2-berth or 4-berth sleeper.  Durban to Johannesburg is even cheaper.  Shosholoza Meyl's Tourist Class trains have modernised sleeping-cars and a restaurant car, a great alternative to flying and missing everything, or being stuck in a bus seat for whole days & nights.  See train times, fares, photos & how to buy tickets .  See important update .

Premier Classe trains

Luxury on a budget.  Premier Classe trains link Cape Town & Johannesburg weekly for R3,120 (£189 or $235) including exclusive use of a cosy private sleeper and all meals & afternoon tea in the elegant restaurant car as you pass the fabulous South African scenery.  There's a spacious lounge-bar car too.  Highly recommended by travellers, who give Premier Classe rave reviews.  See train times, fares, photos & how to buy tickets .  Not currently running, see update .

The Blue Train, Cape Town to Pretoria

A world-famous luxury train from Cape Town to Pretoria once or twice a week.  It costs from 10,120 Rand (£895 or $1,300) one-way including meals, wine and even cigars.  Worth it if you have the money.  See train times, fares & how to buy tickets .

Gautrain linking Jo'burg, Pretoria & Jo'burg airport

Gautrain is the brand-new safe and modern electric suburban train service around Johannesburg.  The Airport Line links Jo'burg's O.R. Tambo international airport with Sandton.  The North-South Line links Park Station in central Johannesburg (used by Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe long distance trains) with Sandton and Pretoria.

Metro suburban trains

Suburban ( Metro ) trains around Johannesburg & Pretoria are not safe (which is why some South Africans will mistakenly tell you that all South African trains are unsafe), but those around Cape Town can be used if you're reasonably careful to travel from Cape Town to Stellenbosch, Paarl & Simon's Town.  Metro train information .

Cruise trains:  Rovos Rail, Shongololo

There are several luxury cruise trains in South Africa, run by companies like Rovos Rail or Shongololo, aimed a tourists with western-style prices.  Cruise train information .

International travel to & from South Africa by train, bus & sea

Unfortunately, there are now no international trains (other than occasional tourist cruise trains) from South Africa to Namibia, Botswana or Zimbabwe, but for information on international travel by a combination of train and bus from South Africa to Zimbabwe, see the Zimbabwe page . For onward travel to Zambia and Tanzania, see the Zambia page .  For travel to Namibia, see the Namibia page .  For trains to Maputo in Mozambique, see the Mozambique page .  For travel to Botswana, see the Botswana page .  See the map here .

Freight ships with limited passenger places and an occasional cruise liner link the UK with Cape Town.  Start with your search with thecruisepeople.wordpress.com , a UK agency which books both cruise liners and freighters.  Also try www.travltips.com/cruises/freighter/overview.php & www.freightercruises.com .  Cunard have occasional sailings from Southampton to Cape Town, see www.cunard.com .  The St Helena steamship used to have very occasional sailings from the UK to Cape Town but these ended in 2018 as the island of St Helena finally (sadly) got an airstrip, see www.rms-st-helena.com .

Useful country information

Shosholoza meyl trains.

The Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger trains are perhaps South Africa's best-kept travel secret and an unbelievable bargain.  Comfortable, cheap & perfectly safe , they link major cities including Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth & East London.  They're a great way to travel as they let you see South Africa comfortably & affordably at ground level, without spending whole days & nights in a bus seat, or spending a fortune on expensive tourist experiences like the Blue Train or Rovos Rail , or flying and missing everything.  They are run by Shosholoza Meyl ( www.shosholozameyl.co.za ), originally part of South African Railways (Spoornet) and now a division of the Passenger Rail Authority of South Africa (PRASA, www.prasa.com ).  The Shosholoza Meyl name was launched in 2001 along with newly-refurbished brightly-coloured sleeping-cars.  In 2006, Shosholoza Meyl split its trains into two distinct classes:  Tourist class with sleeping cars with 2 & 4-berth compartments and a restaurant car serving full meals, snacks, beer and wine, and Economy class with sitter class seats and sometimes a restaurant car.  In Tourist class, the sleepers even have hot showers at the end of the corridor!

IMPORTANT UPDATE 2024:  Shosholoza Meyl trains were suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, the rail network was then hit by looting and cable theft.  Latest info is that the Cape Town - Jo'burg train resumed once a week in December 2023 as shown below.  The Jo'burg-Durban train has also resumed, details not known.  Contact them (not me!) for details.

Update to the update, January 2024:  Reports now coming in that the Cape Town to Jo'burg train has been suspended again.  Incompetence all round...

Train times & routes

Cape Town - Johannesburg

Johannesburg - Durban

Johannesburg - Bloemfontein - Port Elizabeth

Johannesburg - East London

Johannesburg & Pretoria - Louis Trichardt - Messina

Johannesburg & Pretoria - Nelspruit - Komatipoort (for Kruger Park)

Johannesburg - Mafikeng - Kimberley

Cape Town - East London

Shosholoza Meyl travel information

How much does it cost.

How to buy tickets    

What are Shosholoza Meyl trains like?  

Safety on Shosholoza Meyl trains   

You can check Shosholoza Meyl train times at the official site www.shosholozameyl.co.za , but travel agency site www.southafricanrailways.co.za is kept better updated and is usually far more useful!

1.  Cape Town - Johannesburg

* Until 2019, the Premier Classe train ran every week.  In 2020 it was reduced to running some weeks only, once or twice each month, see www.southafricanrailways.co.za for dates.

** Pretoria:  Shosholoza Meyl & Premier Classe trains no longer run through to/from Pretoria, since 2006 they start/finish their journey at Johannesburg.  Remember that Johannesburg city centre isn't safe for visitors, but Johannesburg Park Station itself has security and is well-patrolled & secure.  Be very careful if you walk outside the station.  It's recommended that you either use the safe new Gautrain network to travel between Jo'burg Park Station, Sandton and Pretoria, or that you pre-book a car or taxi to pick you up at Jo'burg station when you arrive, and when leaving again, take a taxi or car to the station entrance.  Pretoria is a safer city to use as a base when visiting the Jo'burg area.

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Are these trains safe? Yes!    Cape Town to Johannesburg is 1,530 Km or 956 miles.

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Are these trains safe?  Yes they are!    Hotels in Cape Town, Jo'burg & Pretoria

2.  Johannesburg - Durban

Johannesburg-Durban trains pass the spot near Estcourt where in 1899 young war correspondent Winston Churchill was taken prisoner by the Boers when the British armoured train he was with was derailed.  They call at Pietermaritzburg (PMB), the station where Mahatma Ghandi was thrown off a train in 1893.  Not just transportation, but a bit of history!

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Safety on board    Johannesburg to Durban is 722 Km or 451 miles.

3. Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Are these trains safe? Yes!    Johannesburg to Pt Elizabeth is 1,112 Km or 695 miles.

Check status at www.southafricanrailways.co.za

4. Johannesburg - East London

Fares    How to buy tickets    What are the trains like?    Are these trains safe? Yes!    Johannesburg to East London is 1,023 Km or 639 miles.

Fares may vary by month.   For example, Cape Town to Jo'burg might be R650 in August, R670 in Sept-Oct, R680 in November, R690 in December & January.  The fare includes a sleeper berth in a 2 or 4 berth sleeper compartment.  Couples can request berths in a 2-berth compartment, though this can't be guaranteed.  Bookings open 90 days in advance.

Bedding (sheets, blankets, pillow, made up for you by the train attendant) is an extra 60 rand (£4, $6) or so per person, paid on the train.

Children in tourist class sleepers aged from 0 to 9 pay half fare, 10 and over pay the adult fare.  This arrangement was introduced in 2009.  It seems harsh to have to pay half fare for a 3-month old baby, but remember how cheap the fares are to start with.  Children in economy class seats aged under 5 travel free, children aged 5 to 9 inclusive travel at half fare, children aged 10 and over pay full fare.

Return fares are twice the one-way fare. 

There may be further reductions for students & seniors in off-peak periods, so ask when booking.

Luggage:   You can take up to 25Kg of luggage into your sleeper compartment with you.  Excess can be sent in the baggage car for R4 per item.

Cars can be transported , for prices & booking contact www.shosholozameyl.co.za or (probably better) reliable agency www.southafricanrailways.co.za .  Pets are not allowed on board, except guide dogs.

Economy class fares:   Cape Town to Johannesburg in a seat on the daily Economy class train costs 170 Rand (£12).

What are Shosholoza Meyl Tourist Class trains like?

Sleeping-cars:    The sleeping-cars have 4-berth rooms called 'compartments' and smaller 2-berth rooms known as 'coupés'.  The berths convert to seating for daytime use.  Each compartment has basic leatherette bench seats which convert to bunks at night, and a washbasin with hot and cold water.  Bedding is provided for a small extra charge (60 Rand, about £4, $6) and expertly made up for you in the evening by the train attendant.  Each sleeping-car has a hot shower at the end of the corridor, with lockable shower cubicle & changing area - bring your own soap & towel.  The coaches are not air-conditioned, so the windows open for a superb view of the countryside.  A metal mesh screen is provided for use at night to allow cool air.  Berth numbers aren't specified on your ticket or allocated when you book.  Instead, reservation lists are posted at the departure station telling you your car and berth number.  As far as is possible, two passengers travelling together will be booked into a 2-berth coupé, a solo traveller will normally be booked into a 4-berth compartment with passengers of the same sex.  The price is the same.  If you pay for two tickets (quite affordable, given the fare) you can have sole occupancy of a coupé.  The whole train is all non-smoking.

Example restaurant car prices:  Full English breakfast R 55, porridge R35.  Sirloin steak & chips R95.  Chicken & chips or salad R55.  Lasagne R70.  Macaroni cheese R65.  Castle beer R17 for 440ml.  Wine prices not known.

What are Shosholoza Meyl Economy Class Trains like?

Sitter class seating: Economy trains have basic seating, which does not convert to berths.  Fine for daytime journeys, and safe with travelling security staff on board, but not generally recommended for visitors on overnight trips unless you can't get a sleeper and are prepared to rough it.  Most trains also have a restaurant or refreshment car.

How to buy tickets

Bookings open 90 days before departure. 

Shosholoza Meyl tourist class sleepers can get fully-booked a month or two ahead, especially on the popular Cape Town to Johannesburg route, so book as far ahead as you can . 

Remember that this is Africa and trains can run late, sometimes hours not minutes, so don't book any tight onward connections - ideally allow an overnight stop before any connecting international flight. 

Option 1, buy tickets online at www.shosholozameyl.co.za

Online booking used to be possible on the official Shosholoza Meyl website www.shosholozameyl.co.za - click Book now at top right.

Option 2, buy tickets in person or by phone on 086 000 8888

If you live in South Africa , simply call Shosholoza Meyl's freephone number 086 000 8888.

From outside South Africa , call + 27 11 7744 555 - but you have to collect & pay at a Shosholoza Meyl station within 2 days.  As this may be impractical, I suggest booking online as above or using African Sun Travel as shown below.

Reservations are computerised, so any reservation office can book any journey in South Africa.  When booking by phone, you will be given a booking reference number, and you must collect and pay for your tickets at a station within 2 days.  Your ticket will not show your coach or berth number, but a passenger list showing which berth is allocated to which passenger is posted in a glass case at the station about an hour before departure.

Safety & security on Shosholoza Meyl trains:  Not a problem!

Shosholoza Meyl tourist class trains are perfectly safe to travel on, and can even be recommended for families and women travelling alone.  Sleeping compartments have both a normal lock and a security lock which cannot be opened from the outside, and the train manager and his assistants do a good job looking after their passengers.  People who tell you that 'trains in South Africa are unsafe' have probably never been on one, and are confusing these excellent and safe Shosholoza Meyl trains with the suburban Metro trains around the big cities which they see adversely reported on South African TV.  It goes without saying that the high-end Premier Classe and Blue Train services are very safe, too.

Safety & security at Johannesburg's Park Station

The long-distance trains themselves are very safe, and Johannesburg's Park Station itself is well-patrolled with security guards & CCTV.  However, the streets surrounding Park Station in downtown Johannesburg are definitely not safe, so arrange a car to drop you off or pick you up right at the station entrance or ask the driver to meet you inside the station.   You should take advice before walking around in Johannesburg city centre.  However, things are improving and you can now travel between Johannesburg Park Station and Pretoria via the suburb of Sandton, using the safe new Gautrain network .

Traveller's report:   Trish Jones says this about arriving by car at Johannesburg Park station to catch the Premier Classe train to Cape Town: "With regards to Johannesburg's Park Station, it was one of the things I was concerned about as I haven’t been there for ages, and I’m super cautious.  We had a friend collect us, drove into the car park from the Rissik Street side, and much to my amazement it was spotless and well organized.  Once inside, it’s a case of down the escalator, turn left, and straight into the Premier Classe Lounge (also used for The Blue Train) for check in.  It’s totally separate and is available only to Premier Classe [and Blue Train] passengers.  No hassles and I didn’t feel uncomfortable or threatened at all.  The rest of the station isn't great, but it doesn't matter because you don’t go there."

Traveller's report:   Steven Wasiura says "Park Station in Johannesburg was very busy and felt generally safe, with visible security presence throughout.  The Gautrain is an excellent way to reach the station [from Pretoria, airport, or suburbs], though the direct link between the Gautrain station and Park is still under construction, necessitating a short, easy walk outside.  There are also several car hire agencies with offices at the station, so you may be able, as I was, to return your rental car there and go straight to your train."

Traveller's report:   Ivor Morgan says "The key point is that it's possible to transfer between Shosholoza Meyl & Premier Classe trains, long-distance buses and the Gautrain, without leaving the reasonably secure perimeter of Jo'burg Park Station.  Shosholoza Meyl & Premier Classe trains arrive on the lowest level, on a platform which is somewhat separate from the Metrorail suburban platforms.  Leaving the platform (where your ticket will be collected, so have it handy) an escalator takes you up to the main concourse.  Long-distance buses leave from the main concourse level.  The bus companies have their offices on one side, and there are waiting areas and departure gates on the other.  If you go up another level, there are some shops and a food court and this upper level is also the way to the Gautrain.  The signage is not great, so look for the Wolmarans St exit if there is no Gautrain sign.  When you reach the exit from the building at this level, you will see a short (~15m) covered walkway leading to another building. Inside the entrance to this building, you can see escalators going down to the Gautrain.  At the bottom of the escalators, there is a short passage:  The Gautrain ticket counter and ticket machines are straight ahead, and the ticket barriers are on the left.  Going the other way should be easier - turn right out of the Gautrain ticket barriers (left takes you to the Gautrain car park), up the escalators, and follow the covered walkway to the main station building.  If there are no signs specifically for Shosholoza Meyl, follow the signs for Metrorail until Shosholoza Meyl signs appear."

Travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town by Shosholoza Meyl tourist class train

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IMPORTANT UPDATE 2024:  These Premier Classe trains stopped operating in 2020 due to Covid and have not resumed.  The great South African Railways has been brought to it knees by mismanagement, corruption, vandalism & theft.

Cape Town -  Johannesburg (once a week)

The Premier Classe train ( www.premierclasse.co.za , if & when their site is working) is an affordable deluxe service aimed at both budget-conscious tourists and South Africans themselves.  It's another of South-Africa's well-kept travel secrets, and it's already getting great reports from travellers who try it.  If you can't afford the famous Blue Train, but still want safe, civilised deluxe train travel at ground level through superb South African scenery that you can't see from 35,000 feet, take a Premier Classe train.  Premier Classe started out in 1998 as an affordable deluxe service from Cape Town to Johannesburg, originally running once a week attached to the regular Shosholoza Meyl train.  But in 2006 it was made into a completely separate train.  In 2008 they introduced a Jo'burg-Durban train and in 2013 they added a Jo'burg to Port Elizabeth train.  Sadly both of these were discontinued in 2014.  See advice on using Johannesburg Park Station .

The Premier Classe train is a hotels on rails.  It uses standard South African Railways sleeping-cars (in fact, the same 1960s-1970s type used by Shosholoza Meyl) which have been refurbished to deluxe standards, and passengers are given twice the normal amount of space per passenger:  Solo passengers get sole occupancy of what would have been a 2-berth coupé, two passengers get sole use of what would have been a 4-berth compartment and so get two lower berths.  The sleeping-cars aren't air-conditioned, a big advantage for photographers as the windows open.  There's a deluxe Premier Classe restaurant car serving 3-5 course meals and a Premier Classe lounge car with armchairs, sofas and a bar.  The fare includes all your meals and complimentary tea/coffee, although alcoholic drinks cost extra.  Premier Classe passengers can use the luxury Blue Train VIP lounges at Cape Town and Johannesburg stations.  Premier Classe is now a division of the new Passenger Rail Authority of South Africa (PRASA, www.prasa.com ).  This amateur video gives a good idea of what to expect on board the Premier Classe train and in terms of scenery, and you may also find this account helps convince you to try out this excellent train service!

Pretoria, Sandton & airport connections:  You can now travel between Jo'burg Park Station, Sandton, Pretoria & Jo'burg international airport on the safe new Gautrain network , see below.

Car transport:   Cars can also be transported on these trains between Cape Town & Johannesburg, R 1,780- R 3,700 per car.

Premier Classe train timetable...    You can check train times & fares at www.premierclasse.co.za (if working) or at www.southafricanrailways.co.za (African Sun Travel, a private agency but usually more reliable).

* Until 2019, the Premier Classe train ran every week.  In 2020 it will be reduced to running some weeks only, once or twice each month, see www.southafricanrailways.co.za for dates.

How much does Premier Classe cost?

Cape Town to Johannesburg  costs around R 3,120 (£189 or $235) each way per person including all meals and private sleeper.

Slightly higher fares apply at peak times such as December-January, Easter & school holidays.

Children under 3 travel free if sharing with their parents, children under 10 pay 80% of the adult fare, children 10 & over pay the adult fare.

You can check fares at www.premierclasse.co.za (if working, it may well still not be!), www.southafricanrailways.co.za (African Sun Travel) or www.newfusion.co.za (New Fusion Travel)

Booking for Premier Classe opens 12 months ahead.  You can request a Premier Classe booking online at www.southafricanrailways.co.za (this is  African Sun Travel, a reliable ticketing agency, not the operator themselves) or www.newfusion.co.za (New Fusion Travel).  Or you can book by phone calling the train operator on +27 11 774 4555 or + 27 12 334 8039 or (from within South Africa) 086 000 8888 (lines open Monday-Friday 09:00-16:30, GMT+2).  Alternatively, you can e-mail your request to the train operator at [email protected] .  There is more information at the Premier Classe website, if it's working, at www.premierclasse.co.za , with an online booking request form.  However, reports suggest you'll get more responsive booking from ticketing agency www.southafricanrailways.co.za (African Sun Travel).

A journey from Cape Town to Jo'burg by Premier Classe train

For these photos I am indebted to Billy Shearer ( read his trip report below ) and Tommi Tollki.

The Blue Train , Cape Town to Pretoria

IMPORTANT UPDATE 2024:  The Blue Train stopped running in 2020 due to the pandemic, but resumed in 2022.  In 2024 it's running.

It's the most famous train in South Africa, and one of the most famous trains in the world.  South Africa's Blue Train links Cape Town with Pretoria once or twice a week, year round.  With a one-way fare from around R 36,000 (£1,750 or $2,000) per person for two people travelling together even in the low season, it's now aimed squarely at foreign visitors.  However, The Blue Train is definitely the most luxurious way to travel between these two cities, and if you do choose to splurge, you will not be disappointed!

Blue Train timetable 2023

The Blue Train switched to a novel night-day-night schedule in 2019, a slower schedule but one less susceptible to delays and with additional off-train excursions.

For departure dates see www.bluetrain.co.za .   See here for the regular passenger trains between Cape Town & Johannesburg .

The northbound journey includes a one-hour stop at the 19th century health resort of Matjiesfontein in the heart of the Karoo.  The Southbound trip includes a stop at Kimberley for a tour of the Kimberley 'big hole' mining museum.  The train no longer serves Johannesburg in either direction, as few tourists want to go there because of its security problems.  The Blue Train rolling stock is also used to run irregular rail cruises on a couple of other scenic routes within South Africa.

You can arrange a package which includes the Blue Train with hotels, transfers, flights through train specialist Railbookers.  They have offices in the UK, USA & Australia:

What's it like on the Blue Train?

The Blue Train offers two types of room:  Deluxe compartments have either a double bed or two single beds and en suite shower or small bath.  Luxury compartments cost a bit more and are almost identical, but have a full size bath (yes, really) and a video.  The train has a dining car and two lounge cars (one smoking, one non-smoking) and both of the two trainsets have an observation car at the rear, allowing you to look back along the line (one of the was damaged and taken out of service several years ago, but is restored for the 2019 season).  Meals and drinks (and even Montecristo Havana cigars!) are included in the fare, and there is an extensive list of South African wines available.  You probably won't be able to drink £800-worth before you reach Pretoria, but you can have a dam' good try...  For pictures of the scenery between Cape Town and Pretoria, see the scenery shots from the Cape Town to Johannesburg journey by Shosholoza Meyl train here and by Premier Classe train here , as the Blue Train follows the same route as far as Jo'burg.

Watch the video: The Blue Train

It's a PR video, of course, but this short film shows how good travelling in The Blue Train from Cape Town to Pretoria can be.

A bit of history

A fast train called the Union Express northbound and the Union Limited southbound was introduced in 1923, to link the Union Castle steamers arriving at Cape Town from Southampton with the gold fields of Jo'burg and the Transvaal capital at Pretoria.  The original wooden coaches were replaced in 1937 with steel coaches built in Birmingham and painted a smart blue.  Before long, the train became known colloquially as 'that blue train', and its name was changed officially to 'The Blue Train' in 1946.  Two new sets of coaches were built for the Blue Train in 1972, and both of these were beautifully refurbished in 1997.  You travel in these same trainsets today.  The Blue Train is still run by the South African Railways (Spoornet), but it is now a separate business unit, due for privatisation...

Gautrain, Jo'burg & Pretoria

Airport line:  sandton ► johannesburg international airport, see www.gautrain.co.za.

Phase 1 of the modern standard-gauge metro service called 'Gautrain' is now operational between the Jo'burg suburb of Sandton and Jo'burg's OR Tambo international airport.  Using brand-new standard-gauge electric trains, it has all the necessary CCTV and security equipment to be a safe and comfortable means of transport for locals and tourists alike.  Trains run every 30 minutes at weekends, every 20 minutes weekday off-peak, and every 12 minutes in the weekday morning and evening peaks.  See www.gautrain.co.za for fares, times and more information.

North-South Line:  Johannesburg (Park Station) ► Sandton ► Pretoria  Gautrain, see www.gautrain.co.za

Phase 2 is now open, with safe modern Gautrain service linking Johannesburg Park Station in downtown Johannesburg (the station used by Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe long-distance trains) with the suburb of Sandton and the administrative capital Pretoria.  Gautrain is the best way to travel between Jo'burg and Pretoria, and the safest way to access Jo'burg Park station to connect with your Premier Classe or Shosholoza Meyl long-distance train.  Trains run run every 30 minutes at weekends, every 20 minutes weekday off-peak, and every 12 minutes in the weekday morning and evening peaks.  See www.gautrain.co.za for details.

Suburban Metro trains

Metro trains around johannesburg & pretoria.

Although long-distance Shosholoza Meyl trains and Gautrain are safe for tourists, 'Metro Rail' suburban trains around Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria are different matter.  Unless you are particularly foolhardy or adventurous, they are probably best avoided completely.  In 2022, work to restore normal metro services continues .

Metro trains from Cape Town to Stellenbosch, Simon's Town & Paarl

Metro Rail suburban trains around Cape Town have always been less of a problem and as long as you take care, leave your valuables at your hotel and don't travel after dark, they can be a good way to get from central Cape Town to the seaside town of Simon's Town (a scenic run along the coast), or to the wine regions at Stellenbosch or even Paarl - I've taken the metro train to Stellenbosch myself, then hired a bike to cycle round the wineries.  But always check current local travel advice as the situation can change and there have been incidents, even if that may not be the norm.  On the other hand, there is a new initiative for tourists using the Cape Town to Simon's Town train service to tour the coast.

Two classes are available, 1st ('Metro Plus') and 3rd.  Metro Plus means longitudinal cloth seats on newer trains, grey plastic seats on the older ones, 3rd class means plastic bench seats.  Outside the rush hours, trains are not crowded and there's a train from Cape Town to Simon's Town or Stellenbosch every hour or two, taking about an hour.  Make sure you sit in a carriage with other travellers.  To reach the wineries, bicycles can be hired in Stellenbosch, for about £4 a day.

In 2022, work to restore normal metro services continues.  In mid-2022, trains are running between Cape Town & Fish Hoek, but Fish Hoek to Simonstown is out of action.  The Cape Town-Stellenbosch line is also still out of action.

Cruise trains

Several companies run all-inclusive tours around Southern Africa using special deluxe cruise trains. 

Rovos Rail ( www.rovos.co.za ) runs a 5-star cruise train to a regular schedule from Cape Town to Pretoria and on to Victoria Falls.  The train consists of beautifully restored South African coaches with all the usual tourist facilities - lounge, restaurant, private sleeping compartments and showers.  Meals are included in the tour price.  For times, dates of running and prices see www.rovos.co.za . 

Shongololo Express ( www.shongololo.com ) also operates a 3-star cruise train on various routes in Southern Africa and into neighbouring countries.

Buses in South Africa

The trains don't go everywhere in South Africa, and there are times when you might need to take a bus.  There are several long-distance bus operators.  Useful internet addresses are:

TransLux, www.translux.co.za .  Call 011 774 3333 or from outside South Africa +27 (011) 774 3333

Greyhound, www.greyhound.co.za .  Call 083 915 9000.

InterCape, www.intercape.co.za .  Call 0861 287 287 or from outside South Africa +27 21 380 4400.

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk...

Accommodation in south africa, hotels in cape town, johannesburg, durban or anywhere in south africa....

Personal recommendations:  The Tudor Hotel in Cape Town is inexpensive and central, a good budget choice, from 440 Rand (£33 or $65) per night.  Pretoria is a better place to stay than Johannesburg itself.

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in most cities at rock-bottom prices.

Flights to South Africa

1)  check flight prices at opodo, www.opodo.com ..., 2)  use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines....

3)  Lounge passes...

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think!  See www.loungepass.com

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com .

Other Shosholoza Meyl routes...

Fares:  Jo'burg to Messina in economy seat from R100, in a tourist class sleeper berth from R160. 

This train has economy class seats, tourist class sleepers, restaurant car.  For travellers bound for Bulawayo or Harare in Zimbabwe, Messina is 12km from the Zimbabwe frontier across the Limpopo River at Beitbridge.  This route was discontinued in 2014 but was reinstated from March 2018.  It went twice-weekly in August 2018.

*  See the Mozambique page for full details about travel between Johannesburg & Maputo by train.

Fare from Cape Town to East London approx R 650 in Tourist sleeper class.

Fares:  Jo'burg to Mafikeng R100, Mafikeng to Kimberley R130.  New service started 5 June 2015.

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The Blue Train | Proudly brought to you by SA-Rail

About the Train

Treat yourself with an unforgettable experience aboard one of South Africa’s leading luxury trains.

During day your suite serves as a lounge where you can relax and enjoy the passing vista, at night it transformed into an elegant bedroom.

Suites & Facilities

En-suite bathrooms Fully soundproofed Individually controlled air-conditioning Underfloor heating

Rates & Schedules

Pretoria to Cape Town Cape Town to Pretoria Charters

Best Deal Package Value for Money Package Round Trip Package Value Add Package Best of CPT Package Best of JHB Package

Enquire now by completing our online form and we will contact you regarding a quote, availability or make your reservation.

Reservations Cancellations Departure & Arrival times Currency Staff

About the Blue Train

Treat yourself with an unforgettable experience aboard one of South Africa’s leading luxury trains.

This 5 star, 54 hour experience offers you around-the-clock butler service, 2 lounge cars (smoking and non-smoking), an observation car, carriages with gold-tinted picture windows and fully carpeted and soundproofed suites, all with en-suite bathrooms.

Situated behind the train’s engine is the Club car, where you can enjoy a Cuban cigar served after dinner while sipping on cognac, or any drink of your choice. If a game of backgammon, chess or cards is not for you, browse our library selection, enjoy the big screen or get lost in thought gazing up at the star-lit African sky.

Afternoon High Tea and after-dinner drinks are served in the Lounge car, situated in the middle of the train.

When not in use as a Conference car, the Observation car serves as an extension of the Lounge Car.

Dine with friends or enjoy a romantic dinner for two in the elegant Dining car. You can also choose to dine in the privacy of your own suite. Our on-board chefs prepare dishes of the highest standard, regularly refreshing the menu and using only the freshest local ingredients. There is something to suite every taste, including Halaal, Kosher, gluten-free of vegan. Simply notify us at the time of reservation and our chefs will prepare a meal suited to your needs.

Dinner is elegant, with the dress code being formal.  Tasteful background music compliments the evening. The Dining car can accommodate 42 guests in a sitting, with 2 sittings when needed.

During day your suite serves as a lounge where you can relax and enjoy the passing vista, at night it transformed into an elegant bedroom.  Bedding is made from goosedown and 100% percale-cotton.  Modern amenities include individually controlled air-conditioning, underfloor heating and electronic entertainment. The elegance of the suite carries on in the marble and gold-fitted en-suite bathroom, with scented bathsalts and monogrammed towels.

The De Luxe coaches consist of 4 suites, each measuring 4m x 2m.  One of these has a double bed and ¾ bathtub with handheld shower. The rest have twin beds and showers.

The Luxury coaches consist of 3 Luxury suites, each measuring 5,13m x 2m. You have the options of twin beds or a double bed.

Services and Facilities

• En-suite bathrooms with Italian marble, gold-plated fittings and fully remote-controlled facilities
• Fully soundproofed
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• Under-floor heating
• Personal butler and 24 hour room service
• GPS system and TV monitor that tracks the train progress and shares the driver’s view
• Interactive entertainment system

The Blue Train Rates & Schedules

Pretoria and cape town.

The Blue Train departs from Pretoria on selected Mondays and Wednesdays and from Cape Town on select Wednesdays and Fridays.  Guests can check in between 10:00 and 11:30, and the train departs at 12:00 arriving at its’ destination at 18:00 on day three. Coffee and tea is served in the pre-departure lounges while boarding formalities are in progress. After boarding, fruit platters are served in your suite. IMPORTANT: Train departure and arrival times are not guaranteed.

*Denotes a cancelled departure

Rates Include

• Two nights onboard the Blue Train
• All applicable snacks, meals & drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic), Cognacs and Cuban cigars
• Blue Train Gift & Certificate
• 24-hour Butler service
• Off the train excursion
• One night’s accommodation in a 5*Hotel (pre- or post-departure)
• Station/Hotel transfer

Rates Exclude

• French champagne
• Telephone calls
• Gratuities whilst on board The Blue Train
• Services not mentioned
• Cannot be combined with other offers

Enquiry Form

• Availability
• Reservation
• Once we have received your reservation request, we will confirm availability and proceed with the reservation. A confirmation invoice with payment instructions will be sent to you via email. Your travel vouchers will be sent to you once full and final payment have been received. *Passenger information should be filled in as per passport/ID as travel arrangements will be issued accordingly and no name changes will be allowed .

Personal Contact Information

• Title * -- Select -- Dr Prof Mr Mrs Ms
• Contact Number *
• Email * Enter Email Confirm Email

Blue Train Departure Information

• Direction * -- Select -- Pretoria to Cape Town Cape Town to Pretoria Pretoria to Durban Durban to Pretoria
• Year of travel * -- Select -- 2024 2025
• Departure Date: Pretoria to Cape Town 2024 * -- Select -- 15 April 2024 22 April 2024 6 May 2024 13 May 2024 8 July 2024 15 July 2024 5 August 2024 12 August 2024 2 September 2024 9 September 2024 16 September 2024 7 October 2024 14 October 2024 - Cancelled 21 October 2024 - Cancelled 28 October 2024 4 November 2024 11 November 2024 18 November 2024 2 December 2024 9 December 2024 16 December 2024
• Departure Date: Pretoria to Durban 2024 * -- Select -- 01 - 03 July 2024 23 - 25 September 2024
• Departure Date: Pretoria to Cape Town 2025 * -- Select -- 06 January 2025 13 January 2025 20 January 2025 - Cancelled 27 January 2025 03 February 2025 10 February 2025 17 February 2025 24 February 2025 03 March 2025 - Cancelled 10 March 2025 17 March 2025 24 March 2025 07 April 2025 14 April 2025 21 April 2025 05 May 2025 12 May 2025 07 July 2025 14 July 2025 21 July 2025 11 August 2025 18 August 2025 25 August 2025 08 September 2025 15 September 2025 22 September 2025 06 October 2025 13 October 2025 20 October 2025 27 October 2025 03 November 2025 10 November 2025 17 November 2025 01 December 2025 08 December 2025 15 December 2025
• Departure Date: Cape Town to Pretoria 2024 * -- Select -- 11 April 2024 18 April 2024 25 April 2024 9 May 2024 16 May 2024 11 July 2024 18 July 2024 8 August 2024 15 August 2024 5 September 2024 12 September 2024 19 September 2024 10 October 2024 17 October 2024 - Cancelled 24 October 2024 - Cancelled 31 October 2024 07 November 2024 14 November 2024 21 November 2024 5 December 2024 12 December 2024 19 December 2024
• Departure Date: Durban to Pretoria 2024 * -- Select -- 04 - 06 July 2024 26 - 28 September 2024
• Departure Date: Cape Town to Pretoria 2025 * -- Select -- 09 January 2025 16 January 2025 23 January 2025 - Cancelled 30 January 2025 06 February 2025 13 February 2025 20 February 2025 27 February 2025 06 March 2025 - Cancelled 13 March 2025 20 March 2025 27 March 2025 10 April 2025 17 April 2025 24 April 2025 08 May 2025 15 May 2025 10 July 2025 17 July 2025 24 July 2025 14 August 2025 21 August 2025 28 August 2025 11 September 2025 18 September 2025 25 September 2025 09 October 2025 16 October 2025 23 October 2025 30 October 2025 06 November 2025 13 November 2025 20 November 2025 04 December 2025 11 December 2025 18 December 2025
• No of Suites * -- Select -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
• Suite Type - Suite 1 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• Suite Type - Suite 2 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• Suite Type - Suite 3 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• Suite Type - Suite 4 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• Suite Type - Suite 5 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• Suite Type - Suite 6 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• Suite Type - Suite 7 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• Suite Type - Suite 8 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• Suite Type - Suite 9 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• Suite Type - Suite 10 * -- Select -- De Luxe Twin bed with shower De Luxe Double bed wtih 3/4 bath Luxury Twin bed with bath Luxury Double bed with bath Paraplegic suite
• No of Adults * -- Select -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
• No of Children -- Select -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 - 11 years
• No of Infants -- Select -- 1 2 3 4 5 0 - 5 years

Travelers Information

• Guest 1: * Name Surname
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Complimentary Night Hotel Information

• Hotel Booking * -- Select -- Pre-departure Post-departure
• Hotel Option * -- Select -- Apogee Hotel & Spa, Pretoria Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel, Pretoria
• Hotel Option * -- Select -- TAJ Hotel, Cape Town Portswood Hotel, Cape Town
• Extend your stay -- Select -- Yes No
• No. of nights extra * -- Select -- 1 2 3 4

Additional Pre and Post Train Travel Services

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Gratuities are not included in your rate and is at your own discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation in this manner, there is an envelope in your suite that you can insert into a box at the end of your journey. The gratuities will be evenly distributed amongst all the staff on board. A suggested amount would be between R100.00 – R200.00.

Reservations

Upon receipt of your online enquiry, we will confirm availability via email. The email will contain the reservation form which can be completed and emailed/faxed back to us. We will then confirm (in writing) your selected suite and departure date via confirmation invoice. Upon receipt of a 25% deposit, your reservation will be confirmed. Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellation

Cancellations received more than 60 days prior to departure date are subject to a cancellation fee of 25% of the ticket price per individual booking or group bookings. Cancellations received less than 60 days prior to departure are subject to a cancellation fee of 80% of the ticket price per guest. Once a ticket has been purchased, a reservation may be changed for a departure at an earlier or later date without a cancellation penalty being imposed. However should there be a rate difference, the client would be requested to pay the difference immediately. Should the rate difference be in favour of the guest, no money will be refunded and the guest will be informed accordingly. If an amendment, cancellation or no-show is caused by an illness and verified by a registered doctor’s letter, we will consider waiving all or part of the cancellation fee according to the merits of each case with a maximum refund amount of 90% of the actual money received. Non-compliance with these booking conditions will automatically cancel a provisional reservation without further notice.

Departure & Arrival times

Pretoria to Cape Town: The Blue Train departs at 16h00 and arrives in Cape Town at 10h30. Check in opens 2 hours prior to departure.

Cape Town to Pretoria: The Blue Train departs at 16h00 and arrives in Pretoria at 10h30. Check in opens 2 hours prior to departure.

Pretoria to Hoedspruit: The Blue Train departs at 15h00 and arrives at its destination the following day at 10h00. Check in opens 1 hour prior to departure.

Hoedspruit to Pretoria: The Blue Train departs at 15h00 and arrives at its destination the following day at 10h00. Check in opens 1 hour prior to departure.

Only South African Rands are accepted. All major credit cards can also be used on the train.

The friendly, efficient and highly-trained staff take great pride in resolving your every query and satisfying your every need. From an early morning wake-up call to a blouse in pressing need, one call and your butler will take care of it all. The Train Manager is also on call at all times. In addition, the two highly-trained on-board technicians are always eager to share their knowledge with you.

Children should be kept under strict adult supervision of either their parents/guardians and should not inconvenience other guests. Unfortunately no special meals are available for children and / or infants on the train.

The Blue Train operates with an Electric locomotive and runs on air cushions.

Dietary Requirements and Cuisine

There is a menu for every taste. Whether you require Kosher or Halaal meals, or gluten-free vegan options, simply make your needs known at the time of your reservation.

Meal seating times

Pretoria – Cape Town: High Tea 16:30 | Dinner 19:00 – 20:30 | 20:45 – 22:00 | Breakfast 06:00 – 09:00 | Lunch 11:30 – 13:00 / 13:15 – 14:30

Cape Town – Pretoria: High Tea 16:30 | Dinner 19:00 – 20:30 | 20:45 – 22:00 | Breakfast 06:00 – 09:00 | Lunch 11:30 – 13:00 | 13:15 – 14:30

Pretoria – Hoedspruit: Dinner 18:30 | 20:30 | Breakfast 06:30 – 09:30

Drinking water

Throughout the journey, your personal butler will consistently supply you with bottled water. It is not advisable to drink the tap water.

During the day is smart casual. In keeping with tradition it is a compulsory custom to dress formal for dinner to match the sheer elegance of The Blue Train. Eveningwear is elegant and gentleman are requested to wear a jacket and tie and Ladies elegant. During the day dress code is smart casual.

Wi-Fi and Digital Equipment

All suites are equipped with a private digital interactive entertainment system, with an inviting selection of music CDs and big-screen movies on Blue-Ray DVD. Guests can also enjoy a camera-view from the drivers’ perspective from the comfort of your own suite. All suites are fitted with WI-FI service that is complimentary.

On board, The Blue Train is a smoke free zone. The Club Lounge is the only dedicated smoking area.

It is advisable to pack an overnight bag for the journey, as only a limited amount of luggage can be stored in the suite. Butlers will store additional luggage in the luggage car.

The Boutique shop will be open at certain times where guests will be able to buy hand made jewelery and Blue Train branded momento gifts.

Special Occasions

Special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoon, etc is very important and The Blue Train strives to make it extra special. Kindly inform us of your occasion.

Electrical Current and Adaptors

The train has an electric supply of 220V and a 3-point round wall plug is available in every suite. International adaptors are also available. Each bathroom has 110V/220V 2-pin plugs available for shavers.

An electronic safe is provided in the cupboard in each suite.

The Blue Train’s telephone system allows you to contact your butler or the Train Manager 24-hours-a-day. If you wish to make a local or international call, the staff will gladly assist you to do so, at an additional fee.

Temperature

Guest can control their own temperature as each suite has its own air-conditioning system and under-floor heating. Unfortunately The Blue Train’s windows can not open.

No Pets allowed.

Dangerous Goods

For safety reasons no guest is allowed to bring dangerous goods such as firearms, flammable substances, fireworks, poisonous or toxic substance on board The Blue Train unless special arrangements have been made prior to departure and written permission of such arrangement has been given by The Blue Train management to the guest.

Currency Converter

Tel: +27 (0)21 100 3596 Fax: +27 (0)86 598 0812 Email: [email protected] RSA Co Reg: 2007/049324/23

RESERVATION FORMS

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Privacy Overview

*Four Night Journey

• The SA Special discounted offers is an exclusive rate valid to any person who resides on the Africa Continent.
• These offers are only applicable in the Deluxe suite category and available on selected Blue Train departures between Pretoria and Cape Town as advertised.
• The rates are quoted per adult sharing .  Single Travelers and Child’s rates are available on request.
• Hotels are in a package budget and prices are quoted on entry level room categories. Should you wish to book a higher room category or an alternative hotel from our list, we will send you a quotation accordingly.
• Packages that includes flights are booked on low cost carriers and are in a budget off R1’500.00 per person. Should the fare be higher, guests would be requested to pay in the difference. Guests are also welcome to request a preferred airline.
• Flights can only be guaranteed once proof of payment have been received.  Please ensure that the correct names as per ID/Passport is provided as name changes are not permitted.
• All travel services remain subject to availability at the time of making your reservation and packages can be withdrawn without prior notice.
• We are not limited to website offers and can assist with any tailor made package.
• Our standard travel terms and conditions apply.

*Higher rates apply

*Higher rate applies

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Prices are subject to availability and can change due to currency fluctuation tax in/decreases.

High season rates may apply and will be confirmed upon requesting a quotation.

The rates are quoted per adult sharing. Single Travellers and Child’s rates are available on request.

Hotels are in a package budget and prices are quoted on entry level room categories unless otherwise stated. Should you wish to book a higher room category or an alternative hotel from our list, we will gladly send you a quotation accordingly.

• We are not limited to website offers and can assist with tailor made packages.

Our standard travel terms and conditions apply.

**DATES IN COLOR DENOTE THE TRAIN WITH A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF 82 GUESTS – WITH A PARAPLEGIC SUITE (PARTIALLY WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY)

Get 5% discount on all Blue Train departures for August and September 2019 !

Use Promotion Code: LMPROMO Valid from 12 – 16 August 2019 only. *Terms & Conditions Apply

• These offers are only applicable in the Deluxe suite category and available on Blue Train departures between Pretoria and Cape Town from now until the end of 2020.
• High season rates apply from 01 September to 15 November.
• The Free night hotel offer is available on all Blue Train departures between Pretoria and Cape Town from now until the end of 2020, pre or post departures.
• This offer is only valid on entry level room categories and remains subject to availability.
• Should you wish to book a higher room category or an alternative hotel from our list, we will send you a quotation accordingly.
• Rates are quoted per adult sharing .  Single Travelers and Child’s rates are available on request.

Pullman Suite by day

Pullman Suite - Double Bed

Pullman Suite - Double Bunks

Pullman Suite - Single Bunk

*Train stop for operational purposes

Call Us: +44 (0)20 8191 0620   |  Email Us: [email protected]

Blue Train Tours: Experience the Iconic Blue Train South Africa Journey

If you’re considering adventuring away from home and treating yourself to a dose of luxury, Blue Train Tours can offer you the experience you’re looking for. The Blue Train South Africa is a genuine icon in luxury train travel and an enterprise that this magnificent country is enormously proud of. Operated by Transnet Freight Rail, our Blue Train holiday packages offer you a magical way of travelling from Pretoria to Cape Town while enjoying unbeatable hospitality that has been a trademark of Blue Train trips since 1946.

View all the Blue Train tours we offer to get your trip going.

Cabin Classes

Full details on the cabin classes available on the Blue Train.

Life On Board

Learn about life on board the Luxury Blue Train.

Frequently asked questions about the Blue Train.

South Africa’s Legendary Blue Train Luxury Tours

Below are the rail tours we offer that use the Blue Train. Just click on any tour to open a PDF containing all you need to know about the trip including a detailed itinerary, dates and prices.

● Please remember that booking as far ahead as you can in advance is essential for these trains ●

2 Nights From SA Rand ZAR 40,035

Contact us for quotes in other currencies

Cape Town ● Kimberley ● Pretoria

Pretoria ● Kimberley ● Cape Town

South Africa’s Blue Train Gallery

A selection of photos below give a flavour of life on board the Blue Train.

The luxury train travel company

Contact us about the blue train.

We look forward to hearing from you and are happy to answer any questions you have – just email or call us or use the form below.

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How Can We Reach You?

How can we help, which blue train trip are you interested in, how did you hear about us, south africa’s blue train tours: elegance and sophistication on rails.

South Africa’s Blue Train has been synonymous with the warmth of its hospitality and the opulence of its accommodation since making its debut in the late 1940s. Whether you’re looking to sit back, kick your shoes off, and unwind on the 2-night Blue Train Cape Town to Pretoria route or the reverse journey, these Blue Train South Africa specials offer a truly unique glimpse into some of the country’s most stunning diverse scenery.

As a guest boarding Blue Train tours in South Africa, you’ll find yourself fully immersed in the lap of luxury for the duration of your journey. From a dedicated butler and spacious and beautifully designed cabin to the observation car and incredible onboard dining, the luxury Blue Train South Africa will continue to draw you in and impress you at every turn. Blue Train prices for upcoming tours represent immense value, and the Blue Train Express is something everyone should experience.

African Blue Train Holidays: From Cape Town to Pretoria in Opulent Style

The Luxury Train Travel Company’s Blue Train holiday packages allow you to steep your soul in the wonderful things this country offers. Once you’ve boarded the Blue Train, Cape Town to Pretoria route, you’re in for a first-class treat as you’ll have some magical opportunities and off-train excursions made available to you. You could add a “rail safari” to your South African Blue Train package and visit the Kruger National Park to see South Africa’s big five: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo.

If off-train excursions aren’t your thing, the luxury Blue Train South Africa won’t leave you short of enjoyable experiences. You could relax in the observation car and enjoy a glass of champagne on your Blue Train holiday. The landscape along the route is mesmerising; you could spend hours taking in the spectacular vistas. If you want to cocoon yourself in your luxurious suite while resting easy on the African Blue Train, bury your head in a good book and watch the world go by on one of our Blue Train holidays in South Africa.

Blue Train South Africa Prices: Luxury Meets Affordability

Luxury and affordability are two words that will have a unique meaning to each of us. But one thing that can’t be argued is the luxury of South Africa’s Blue Train. Available packages for 2024/25 will introduce you to the height of luxury rail travel that can comfortably be set side by side with any luxury trains currently operating worldwide. The Blue Train South Africa route, north or southbound, allows its passengers to indulge like royalty.

Blue Train prices also represent incredible monetary worth. Blue train packages can be booked as part of a wider-reaching South African adventure or as a 3-day and 2-night short getaway. A Blue Train travel package is something that everyone should experience, and thanks to our Blue Train prices being so reasonable, they can. Our Blue Train holidays in South Africa start at over USD 1,500 and provide absolute luxury and comfort, including your meals, wine, and cigars, if that’s your thing.

Blue Train Specials: Exclusive Deals for the Discerning Traveller

Here at The Luxury Train Travel Company, we want to give our clientele the most rewarding experience when booking one of our Blue Train holiday packages. We have long excelled in customer service and assisting in providing Blue Train trips that far exceed expectations. For many guests boarding South Africa’s Blue Train, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, maybe the beginning of a honeymoon, a wedding anniversary, or a retirement treat.

Our Blue Train specials have been curated to ensure the finest of details have been taken care of as we make every effort possible to ensure your time aboard the African Blue Train is unforgettable for all the right reasons. Whether you want to book the Blue Train Cape Town to Pretoria or the return Blue Train tour, we’re with you every step to ensure it’s perfect. Check out our Blue Train specials and speak to an expert here who will help you get the best deal for your luxury rail journey in South Africa.

Available Blue Train Packages: Tailored for Every Adventurous Soul

Even though many people are never fortunate enough not to treat themselves, we all love an adventure. The Luxury Train Travel Company is here to make it easy for you to book that dream trip in the form of one of our beautifully curated Blue Train tours in South Africa. And if you’re seeking adventure, what an adventure this is, and you get to enjoy it all in the lap of luxury. Our Blue Train South Africa specials promise you the experience you’ve been missing, and you’ll experience it in total comfort.

Whichever Blue Train travel package you settle on as your dream journey, you can experience the finest of the country, from South Africa’s “Big Five” the elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino, to Kimberley Open Mine Museum. Onboard, you’ll indulge in best-in-class accommodation and onboard service, including a butler. Along the Blue Train South Africa route, you can enjoy fine wines and champagne, spectacular meals prepared onboard, and relax in the bar or observation car.

The Classic Route: Blue Train from Pretoria to Cape Town and Beyond

The classic and most popular route is the Blue Train trip to Cape Town. The journey begins in Pretoria, some 1600km northeast of the port city of Cape Town. You’ll register and then check in to the Blue Train lounge for a midday departure. Your Blue Train tour will begin with canapés being served. High Tea is served at 4 p.m. before you can dress for one of two dinner settings in a jacket or waistcoat for the gentlemen and elegant wear for the ladies.

After enjoying a stunning fine dining meal, you could relax at the bar or retire in your luxury cabin for the evening. Day 2 sees South Africa’s Blue Train arrive at Kimberly station for your excursion to the Open Mine Museum. You’ll depart around midday for lunch onboard the Blue Train Express. Day 3 will see your Blue Train South Africa route end as you arrive at Cape Town Station at 6 p.m., where you’ll depart to continue your journey.

A Journey to Remember: The Blue Train Express Adventure

Luxury train travel has always provided a beautifully laid-back way of journeying from one destination to the next. Unlike other forms of transport, a trip onboard the African Blue Train is as much about the journey itself as it is about reaching Cape Town or Pretoria. Our Blue Train tours in South Africa include adventure, excitement, and thrills while remaining relaxed in total luxury. Our Blue Train tour packages are wonderfully designed to optimise unique opportunities and create a lifetime of incredible memories.

Blue Train Trips in South Africa: Discover the Country’s Hidden Gems

Blue Train trips allow the discerning traveller to explore the magical country in a way that no other method of transport allows. Whether you’re booked on the Blue Train Cape Town to Pretoria route, the reverse journey, or both, you’ll get a unique perspective of South Africa. You could book one of our Blue Train available packages as a stand-alone trip or use a journey on the Blue Train Express to embellish a wide-ranging tour of the country to discover more of its secrets and hidden gems.

Luxury Blue Train Tour Packages: Curated for Ultimate Travel Bliss

Each Blue Train travel package has been carefully curated to produce lifelong experiences and memories. Whether it’s your first Blue Train trip to Cape Town or your tenth, you’ll never be let down by the tremendous level of onboard luxury and the experiences along the route. The Blue Train South Africa route is extraordinary, and even the most seasoned luxury traveller will be dazzled by the opulence and old-world charm of any of these Blue Train tours.

THE MOST POPULAR QUESTIONS

Blue train holidays faqs, what are the blue train south africa prices for the different routes.

The Blue Train specials at The Luxury Train Travel Company provide incredible value for money when taking a luxury train journey through South Africa or another continent. The landscapes you’ll see across SA are very diverse and offer something truly unique. The Blue Train trips in South Africa from either Cape Town or Pretoria make for an incredible journey. Blue Train prices are dependent on several factors. The price can change significantly between the high and low seasons, depending on which luxury cabin you choose. If you opt for a luxury double cabin in the low season, you can expect the price to be around USD 1800, and a deluxe single occupancy cabin in the high season will be USD 2500+.

Are there any special Blue Train South Africa Specials or discounts available?

Blue Train specials are sometimes available throughout the year. If you are considering any of our Blue Train holiday packages available through our website, contact an expert at The Luxury Train Travel Company, and we’ll help you get the best available deal at that time.

Which Blue Train Packages are the most popular?

It would be fair to say that all the routes currently available onboard South Africa’s Blue Train are very popular. It depends on whether the three days and two nights onboard your Blue Train tour will be your entire vacation or whether your stay onboard the luxury Blue Train South Africa is being optimised to transport you to Pretoria or Cape Town to continue your journey.

Can I book a Blue Train Tour with rail travel and safari experiences?

The Pretoria to Hoedspruit is returning, and this Blue Train travel package is being run as a “rail safari” and will take in Kruger National Park. Kruger National Park is one of the country’s top three destinations and will provide ample opportunity to witness Africa’s Big Five. These particular Blue Train tour packages will be running with a route from Pretoria to Hoedspruit, including the 19-hour overnight journey, arriving at 5 a.m. and then returning at 10 a.m. the following morning.

explore the world of luxury trains

Explore the luxury train travel company.

Explore Our Range of Luxury Rail Tours Across the Globe. Learn About The Different Luxury Trains We Can Offer. View Our Tours by Region & Destinations. View our train departure Calendar.

THE BLUE TRAIN

Welcome aboard the blue train.

As time meandered from the 19th Century towards the dawn of the new era, a dream was born. A dream of harnessing steam technology to link Africa’s vast south to north, around the awe-inspiring mountain ranges that dot the continent, through the apparently arid desert landscapes, over untamed savannah grasslands teeming with wildlife. From the Cape all the way to Cairo… all of this on parallel lines of tempered steel.

It is from this dream that The Blue Train was born. Cairo was never to be, but the dreamers persevered and The Blue Train now traverses South Africa and its breath-taking scenery in a manner that befits the mystique that has grown around it.

Kings and presidents have indulged on this magnificent, moving five-star “hotel-on-wheels”. From love-struck honeymooners, to adulated celebrities. And even ordinary folk who fantasize about a life of spectacular luxury, a life that has seemed tantalizingly out of reach. Until now…

Welcome aboard   The Blue Train . Your unforgettable experience is about to begin…

THE BLUE TRAIN HISTORY

For the Empire-builders of old, the uncharted African interior was the landscape of a dream in the making. A dream that would etch its course in parallel lines that snaked their way northward from the Atlantic shoreline, conquering the distance from Cape Town to Cairo. The dream was not to be, as the Great African Railway reached only as far as a bridge across the gorge of the Zambezi River, overlooking the thundering smoke of the Victoria Falls.  

A coat of royal blue and cream would later give the trains their distinctive livery, and it was from this line, in these shades, that The Blue Train – a “Palace on Wheels” – would ride the rails to legend. Withdrawn from service during the dark days of World War II, extensively refurbished and modernised in the Seventies and Nineties.  

PRETORIA • CAPE TOWN

The route between  Pretoria  and  Cape Town  is a 54-hour journey of 1 600 kilometres (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent.

PRETORIA • KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

The Blue Train also travels to South Africa’s Limpopo Province , which is home to the Kruger National Park , one of the world’s finest game parks, and home to Africa’s Big Five. These one-way 19-hour journeys take place on selected months of the year, and offer guests an opportunity of some fantastic new “rail safari” combination packages with the many private safari lodges found in the Greater Kruger and Sabi Sands areas.

CHARTERS & EVENTS

As The Blue Train’s tracks roll inevitably into the distance, so life’s course brings with it joys that must be celebrated. Graduations, engagements, weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries and milestone birthdays. All of these deserve a memorable venue, a special ambience, a reminder that you’re going places.

The Blue Train can be chartered for such occasions. Just for you, it can meander along its standard routes, or on custom-made trips and cross-border excursions that last from a few hours to several nights. It’s your sojourn, it’s your train. It’s our pleasure.

When not booked for use during a trip, the Conference Car is converted into an Observation Car that reflects and complements the amenities offered in the Lounge cars.

For those with more stern agendas, The Blue Train has the facilities to service business-oriented journeys. Our fully-equipped Conference Car can comfortably seat 22 delegates boardroom-style or accommodate smaller work areas combined with Observation Car amenities.

Whether you’re rallying your sales force, rewarding outstanding performance, wooing potential clients or hosting your year-end function, stay on line. Keep on track. Navigate your way through the ever-shifting landscape of doing business in the 21st Century. Meet your challenges and celebrate your successes on the move by stepping onboard a world where business is pleasure…

I went on the Blue Train as part of a corporate event and it was fantastic. The staff were amazingly attentive and the lunch we had was phenomenal. With a light feta and melon starter, followed by a truffle and cauliflower soup and salmon for main. After lunch we relaxed in the end panoramic carriage which was beautiful then enjoyed the bar.

The rooms are fantastic. I feel they are far superior to a cabin on a cruise, certainly the bathrooms are far bigger with a lovely bath.

I’d highly recommend

Blue Train Pretoria to Cape Town

This was an experience to tick off our bucket list. We got picked up at The Sheraton Hotel and chauffeur driven to the blue train lounge. We took a medium suitcase on board and the other 4 large ones went into the luggage carriage which can not be accessed, so make sure you have everything you need in the one suitcase. Obviously not much room in your carriage, reason you only need small suitcase. The check in was quick and smooth, however there was a delay in our departure, which caused us to arrive late at Kimberly, so our tour to the diamond mine and museum was cancelled, very disappointing, it seems to be a regular occurrence, so the blue needs to get there act together. The food and drinks on board was ample, you certainly won’t starve. Formal dinner was great, enjoyed dressing up, however I’m glad i didn’t a formal dress, i wore black trousers and sparkly top which was dress enough, most ladies where the same (casual smart.) The men did wear suit and ties, my husband wore his leather jacket and didn’t feel out of place. Destination was a quick experience, suitcases came all together by the blue train staff. We was not on a tour and had to organize our own transfer which i pre arranged on line with Rikki’s taxi, i would certainly recommend this transport, they are a distinctive vehicle, reliable, trusting and keep in touch re arrival. All in all grat experience.

Adelaide, Australia

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Atlantic Rail: Nostalgic Steam Train Day Trips To Simon’s Town

By Inside Guide

All aboard the best rail journey in town.

Train travel is having a renaissance all over the world, with travellers drawn to this relaxing, mindful style of journeying. When the train you’re on is an old-style gem, drawn by a puffing steam locomotive, it adds another layer of evocative nostalgia and mystique.

After an absence of six years, the Atlantic Rail train is heading off again on its Explorer’s Series from Cape Town city centre to the last stop on the line, Simon’s Town in the deep South Peninsula. The train trips are scheduled for the following dates: 27 April , 1 May and 19 May 2024.

Important note Booking opens on 8 April 2024.

A timeless journey

After boarding the train in the Foreshore before 9am, you can sit back and relax in your retro commuter train car as you count off the Southern Suburbs stations and changing scenery. There are baristas on board to pour the coffee, and a fully licensed bar and snacks in the dining car or lounge car (look forward to a celebratory cocktail on your journey home).

The journey offers views of the mountains as the train turns south, heading for the best part of the trip – along the charming False Bay coastline. The tracks are so close to the sea you can feel the spray. You’ll pass the historic stations of Muizenberg, St James and Kalk Bay in the type of train they were built to service; and the tidal pools and beaches that draw the crowds.

Around the Fish Hoek mountain, and you’re in the home stretch of the 2.5-hour journey, arriving in Simon’s Town at 11.30am. It’s a short 600-metre walk to the centre of the village, packed with interesting shops, cafés, museums and restaurants around its picturesque harbour. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, go for a swim at Seaforth Beach or, if you’re up for a longer walk, the famous penguin beach of Boulders is 2km out of town.

Then you’ll board the train for its departure at 3pm, and with a few toots of the whistle and a puffs of steam, you’ll get to enjoy the scenery all over again from a different angle.

Good to know There is a possibility of delays on the line; times given are planned but not guaranteed. The lounge car offers comfortable couches and armchairs, while the observation car at the back of the train has a large rear window and its own bar service.

Dates 27 April 2024 1 May 2024 19 May 2024 Please note Booking opens on 8 April 2024 Time 9am – 5.30pm Cost R575 (adult), R500 (pensioner), R450 (child under 18 years) Lounge seating: R799 Observation car: R899 Where to find it AC Marriott Hotel platform, Dockrail Road, Foreshore, Cape Town Book Day Seating Book Observation Car Book Lounge Car

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Disclaimer:

The Inside Guide has made every effort to ensure that the information in this post was correct at the time of publication. However, we do not assume any liability caused by errors, such as price, cost, time, and location.

Time of publication: 15 March 2024

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8 responses to “atlantic rail: nostalgic steam train day trips to simon’s town”.

Do you have dates for June and July

Inside Guide

Hi Michelle

The dates for June and July have not yet been released. As soon as they are, we’ll let our readers know.

Please forward April 2024 dates of train trips Cape Town to Simonstown as I shall be visiting

Nikki Benatar

The following train trips have been planned: 27 April, 1 May and 19 May 2024. Booking opens on 8 April.

mario serra

when are the next trips due ??

The train is set to travel on the following dates: 27 April, 1 May and 19 May 2024. Booking opens on 8 April.

I just booked a place for 21 march 2024 train to Simon’s town

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Matjiesfontein

Matjiesfontein is an entirely Victorian vil­lage, envisaged and built by the enter­prise of one man, an extraordinary man, the Scotsman Jimmy Logan. An official of the Cape Government Railways (CGR), James Logan arrived in Matjiesfontein in 1890 to recuperate from chest complaints. He found his transfer to the Karoo beneficial and so decided to settle down. He bought a farm, named it Tweedside, and with the help of his wife Emma Haylett planted trees and wheat, built a fine house, sank boreholes and gradually acquired considerable landholdings. From the outset, there was waterborne sewerage and the house was one of the first in South Africa to have electric light. The laird Logan also set up a small refreshment hotel for the hungry and thirsty travellers of the CGR.

The railway line and station building run parallel to the main street, along which stands an assortment of highly ornate buildings unified by a common wall inset with cast-iron railings and lit at intervals by typical London cast-iron streetlamps. To the northwest of the town the street leads up to the N1 national road and at the other end disappears into the vast reaches of the Karoo. The old courthouse dated 1897 and embellished with the Royal cypher ‘VR’ stands alongside a Cape Gothic church and two terraced houses, one typically Victorian and the other in the tra­ditional flat-roofed style associated with Cape Karoo. Buist House, the soda-water factory, the post office and bank, the wood-and-iron Masonic Losieshuis and the towered splendours of the Lord Milner Hotel are built in the late-Victorian style and embellished with cast-iron frills of woodwork and plasterwork and roofed throughout with corrugated iron. Below the village and gardens of the hotel is a dried-up river bed that, on the rare occasion of good rains, be­comes a raging torrent.

The graceful old hotel is named after that much-maligned British imperialist, Lord Milner. Having undergone a long apprenticeship under Lord Cromer, the British ‘agent’ in Cairo, Milner was appointed High Commissioner for South Africa by the then British Colonial Secretary Joe ‘Pushful’ Chamberlain in 1898. It was he who insisted that Paul Kruger, President of the old Transvaal Republic, extend the franchise to include the “Uitlanders” (Afrikaans for “foreigners”) who were, after all, paying taxes and who had lived for 12 years in the Transvaal. Kruger flatly refused to share his Republic with others, an attitude that led to the declaration of the South African Anglo Boer War in 1899. During the War, which went on for three years, Matjiesfontein was the headquarters of the Cape Command and hosted 12 000 British troops. The hotel was used as a military hospital and its turret became a lookout.

Matjiesfontein’s most famous resident was writer and feminist, Olive Schreiner. Her first novel, Story of an African Farm , was set in the Karoo and gained immediate international recognition. After some time in Europe, she returned to find relief from her asthma. She loved Matjiesfontein and lived in a small cottage where she kept up correspondence with a number of English friends including William Gladstone, George Bernard Shaw and Havelock Ellis. Schreiner’s advanced views on social justice and feminism were almost as controversial for her time as those of her friend Havelock Ellis. He shocked Victoria England with his encyclopaedic seven-volume work, Studies in the Psychology of Sex. Schreiner’s correspondence with Ellis reveals the great delight she took in Matjiesfontein. Journeys: Cape Town, Dar es Salaam

© Rovos Rail. 2024. Built & maintained by TYL

7 Coolest Towns On The Atlantic Coast For A Summer Vacation In 2024

• East Coast towns all along America's Atlantic side offer a laid-back vibe, perfect for escaping city bustle and enjoying small-town seaside charm.
• These cool small towns on the Atlantic Coast provide historic downtowns, stunning beaches, and plenty of recreational opportunities.
• Newport, Cape May, St. Simons, and St. Augustine offer rich history, beautiful surroundings, and a variety of summer activities.

America's Atlantic Coast (the East Coast), which stretches from Maine to Florida , is a popular summer vacation destination, boasting gorgeous beaches and a plethora of recreational options. From swimming in turquoise waters to soaking in breathtaking ocean scenery and indulging in a variety of water sports, there is no shortage of ways to cool off on the East Coast.

While famous cities on the Atlantic Coast offer history, culture, vibrant nightlife, and mouthwatering cuisine, its towns offer something completely different. Brimming with whimsical charm and a laid-back vibe, these Atlantic Coast towns make great escapes from the bustle of major cities.

With historic downtowns, stunning beaches, and abundant recreational opportunities, there are plenty of cool small towns on the East Coast that offer fantastic summer vacations fronted by the Atlantic Ocean. Whether seeking a relaxing beach retreat or an adventure-packed trip, these cool vacation towns on the Atlantic Coast are the ultimate summer getaways in 2024.

7 Scenic Train Trips On The East Coast & Their Costs

Newport, rhode island, an ideal summer getaway, boasting culture, history, and beautiful surroundings.

Newport, a stunning seaside town on the Atlantic Coast, is one of Rhode Island's most beautiful places to visit. Renowned for its awe-inspiring ocean vistas and famous historic Newport mansions , this town is among the coolest places to visit in the US for summer vacation.

Visitors can enjoy the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk , trolley rides, and boat excursions to escape the summer heat. Newport also has various museums that showcase the city's rich maritime history. A trip to Newport wouldn't be complete without trying the local delights, like lobster rolls.

St. Simons, Georgia

Spanish moss-draped oaks, golf courses, and historic sites make for a memorable summer trip.

With seven miles of coastline, Saint Simons Island is a paradise on the Atlantic Coast of Georgia. The town's unspoiled beauty and a variety of water activities, including dolphin cruises, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, are what make it a special summer destination. Plus, there are a variety of restaurants, fun events, and entertainment that make a trip full of memorable experiences.

Southern oaks draped in Spanish moss give the island a unique appeal. Moreover, from historic sites like the St. Simons Lighthouse and Christ Church Frederica to gorgeous golf courses for tee time, there's something for everyone in the Atlantic Coast beach town of St. Simons Island .

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St. augustine, florida, offers a perfect blend of history, beautiful beaches, and attractions, making for a perfect summer retreat.

St. Augustine, the oldest city in America , is a summer hotspot. It's easy to see why, with an abundance of colonial architecture, an art scene, and countless opportunities for adventure.

History buffs may fully immerse themselves in the city's rich past thanks to centuries-old attractions like St. Augustine Lighthouse and the Castillo de San Marcos . Anastasia State Park has plenty of places to sunbathe, swim, and enjoy water sports, and the downtown area is packed with boutiques, art galleries, and local food joints.

During the summer, the town comes alive with excitement with live music, cultural events, and an abundance of things to do in St. Augustine , making it a popular vacation destination on the East Coast.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Appeals with a southern charm, a historic district, and waterfront dining.

One of South Carolina's oldest gems, Beaufort entices summer tourists with its coastal beauty, historical landmarks, and quintessential southern charm. Downtown features Antebellum architecture, listing it among the best historic downtowns in the US .

With beautiful beaches and water activities, Beaufort provides an ideal setting for beating the summer heat. Nearby Hunting Island State Park is also a tourist favorite with immense natural beauty, an iconic lighthouse, and scenic hiking trails.

Biking along the 10-mile Spanish Moss Trail is an unforgettable experience, adding to Beaufort's appeal as a popular tourist destination on the Atlantic Coast.

16 Least-Crowded Beaches You Should Add To Your South Carolina List

Nantucket, massachusetts, coastal charm, pristine beaches, and a vibrant cultural scene await in this beautiful coastal town.

Anyone looking for Atlantic Coast summer fun will love Nantucket , a stunning island in Massachusetts. From soaking in the sun on some of the area's gorgeous East Coast beaches to exploring historic lighthouses and learning about the region's history at the Whaling Museum , visitors will have enough activities to keep them entertained during their summer vacation on Nantucket Island.

A vacation on this island is all about immersing in a laid-back ambiance, as well as savoring fresh seafood and local beers; without them, a vacation is incomplete! Yes, hotels on Nantucket are few and expensive, but they are well worth the cost.

Cape May, New Jersey

Explore victorian architecture, picturesque beaches, and cape may point state park.

Cape May, New Jersey, the land of summer beaches and boardwalks , is a popular summer destination on the Atlantic Coast. There is plenty of summer fun and action here, thanks to the range of outdoor activities available!

While visitors may beat the heat by beachcombing, swimming, and paddling, thrill seekers can experience the rush of adrenaline by skydiving or parasailing.

The downtown area is brimming with Victorian elegance and historic buildings, and Cape May Point State Park is a wonderful spot for bird watching and even a picnic.

12 Scenic Spots For Beach Camping On The East Coast

Bar harbor, maine, enjoy stunning coastal scenery, acadia national park, and a charming downtown area this summer.

Bar Harbor, maine, a charming resort town on Mount Desert Island , is certainly one of the best summer vacation destinations on the Atlantic Coast for individuals looking for seafood, natural scenery, and a variety of recreation opportunities.

As the gateway to Acadia National Park , it attracts a large number of summer visitors interested in thrilling activities like kayaking, boating, hiking, and spotting wildlife.

The downtown is a place to discover the region's culture, with museums, galleries, historical architecture, antique shops, and local restaurants to explore. The stunning Frenchman Bay captivates with its pristine splendor, while seafood is not to be missed!

Chikunga to officially launch new electric trains in Cape Town

The state-of-the-art locomotives, manufactured in Gauteng, were first introduced to Capetonians by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019.

• Sindisiwe Chikunga
• Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

The Fish Hoek station in Cape Town. Picture: X/PRASA_Group

CAPE TOWN - Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga is in Cape Town to officially launch a set of new electric trains.

ALSO READ: Chikunga confident trains will become the backbone of public transport again

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) said it's made significant strides in rebuilding its infrastructure, with 31 of the 40 lines now operational countrywide.

Chikunga and PRASA board members will take a train ride on Cape Town’s southern line from Fish Hoek station into the CBD.

Tuesday morning’s special commute is to celebrate the rail network’s recent efforts in bringing dozens of more lines back into operation.

PRASA said as part of its work to rebuild rail infrastructure, it restored vandalised signalling equipment on several once-idle lines.

The rail agency said it also invested in technology to improve the security around its infrastructure.

The Minister is also expected to launch train 200 of the blue electric trains operating countrywide. She says the target is to rollout 600 of these trains by 2031. Here’s the Minister interacting with commuters on the train from Fish Hoek to the CBD @NtuthuzeloNene pic.twitter.com/goGfAjmknG — EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 23, 2024