The Blue Train, Cape Town to Pretoria… It costs from 10,120 Rand (£895 or $1,300) one-way including meals, wine and even cigars.
Is the Blue Train still operating?
The Blue Train has announced that it will be resuming its full operations after a temporary shutdown due to the COVID-19 second wave alert in December 2020, and a partial offering in January 2021 in light of the country’s COVID-19 risk adjusted strategy.
How long does the Blue Train take from Cape Town to Pretoria?
31-hours
Pretoria – Cape Town – Pretoria The Blue Train travels this 1600 Km (994 Miles) journey in just 31-hours, and is ideal for those visitors who have shorter itineraries in South Africa.
What are the routes of The Blue Train?
THE BLUE TRAIN ROUTES The train departs Pretoria on selected Mondays and Wednesdays at 16h30 and returns from Cape Town on selected Thursdays and Saturdays. A stop over in Kimberley is included to visit the Big Hole and the mining museum. Go to the Detailed itinerary and costing of the Pretoria – Cape Town Route.
Why is the Blue Train famous?
The Blue Train is one of the world’s great luxury trains, running 994 miles between Pretoria and Cape Town. The train boasts many famous passengers, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Margaret Thatcher. When Owen Hardy rode The Blue Train in 1998, he raved about the chef.
How fast can the Blue Train go?
90 kilometres per hour
The trains travel at a speed of up to 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph).
What time does the Blue Train arrive in Cape Town?
On the Southbound trip, the train departs from Pretoria Station at 8:30 and arrives in Cape Town at the Cape Town Station at 15:00 the following day.
Where does the Blue Train travel to?
The Blue Train route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a two night journey of 1600 kilometres (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent, including an off-train excursion in Kimberley for a visit to the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum.
Which is better Rovos or Blue Train?
Rovos Rail offers more routes, some of which operate on a romantic vintage-style steam engine. The Blue Train has limited routes whereas Rovos rail also offers destinations that include the beautiful Namibian route to Swakopmund and Tanzania.
What does the Blue Train offer?
The Blue Train is a two night, all inclusive luxury train experience. Guests have two journeys to choose from, Pretoria to Cape Town or Cape Town to Pretoria. Check in opens at 12h00 and coffee and tea is served in the pre-departure lounges while boarding formalities are in progress.
Where does the Blue Train go to?
The Blue Train travels an approximately 1,600-kilometre (990 mi) journey in South Africa between Pretoria and Cape Town. It is one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world.
Why is it called the Blue Train?
The Union Express introduced luxury features such as a dining saloon in 1933 and air-conditioned carriages from Metro-Cammell in 1939. With the reintroduction of the train, the colloquial “blue train” moniker, a reference to the blue-painted steel carriages introduced in 1937, was formally adopted as the new name.
