Journey to/from Cape Town to Pretoria on the Blue Train for an unbelievably scenic and interesting journey. On one of the most luxurious trains in the world.
This luxury train journey stops at the capital of the Northern Cape province, Kimberley. Which is the diamond capital of the world and is well known for its exquisite jewelry. Right in the middle of the city; a giant 215 meter deep crater serves as a reminder of the diamond rush of the 1870s. Where prospectors carved out the largest hand dug excavation in the world in search of precious gemstones.
In its time, the Big Hole yielded an incredible 2,722 kilograms of diamonds. Today, the Big Hole and its surrounds are a museum and tourist attraction. Visitors can learn about the history of diamond mining. See historic memorabilia and buy diamonds slightly cheaper than usual. There is also a fascinating reconstruction of the ‘Old Town’ at the big hole. This gives visitors an idea of what it was like to live there. Back in the town’s heydays of the late 1800s.
So, step aboard and journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance, and romance on The Blue Train. The distance between Cape Town and Pretoria is 1600km (994 miles). The Blue Train Cape Town journey is over two nights and one way between Pretoria and Cape Town.
See more information on the accommodation options on The Blue Train.
The Blue Train Cape Town to Pretoria Journey Daily Itinerary
Day 1:
11 am: Register and check in at The Blue Train Lounge, Cape Town Station. Guests enjoy pre departure snacks and drinks.
12:30 pm: Boarding commences. Butlers usher guests to their suites for orientation. Enjoy canapés in the lounge cars.
1 pm: The Blue Train departs from Cape Town Station.
First sitting for lunch.
2:30 pm: Second sitting for lunch.
6:30 – 8 pm: First sitting for Dinner.
8:15 – 10 pm: Second sitting for Dinner.
Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, cognacs, and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to bed.
Day 2:
7 am: Breakfast is on a first come, first serve basis.
11:30 am – 1 pm / 1.15 – 2.30 pm: First / Second sitting for lunch.
2.30 pm: The Blue Train arrives at Kimberley Station for an off-train excursion. Guests disembark and gather at the Railway Museum; from where you will board a bus that transfers you to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum.
3 pm: View interesting and historical sites before a tour of the mine and a enclosed ramp viewpoint on the edge of the Big Hole.
5 pm: Guests depart for the station. On arrival you are greeted with a glass of sherry that is engraved with The Blue Train logo; as a memento for guests to keep.
6.30 pm: The Blue Train departs Kimberley Station. After this exciting tour, guests are welcome to refresh themselves and enjoy aperitifs served at any one of the lounges.
6:30 pm: First sitting for dinner.
8:15 pm: Second sitting for dinner
Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, cognacs and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to bed.
Day 3:
7 am: Breakfast is on a first come, first serve basis.
1 pm: First sitting for lunch.
2:30 pm: Second sitting for lunch.
6 pm: The Blue Train arrives at Pretoria Station. Butlers usher guests to The Blue Train Lounge.
The Blue Train Pretoria to Cape Town Journey Daily Itinerary
Day 1:
11 am: Register and check in at Irene Country Lodge (Farm side). Guests enjoy pre departure snacks and drinks.
12:30 pm: Shuttles transfer guests to Irene Station.
Boarding commences. Butlers usher guests to their suites for orientation. Enjoy canapés in the lounge cars.
1 pm: The Blue Train departs from Irene Station.
First sitting for lunch.
2:30 pm: Second sitting for lunch.
6:30 – 8 pm: First sitting for Dinner.
8:15 – 10 pm: Second sitting for Dinner.
Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, cognacs, and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to bed.
Day 2:
7 am: Breakfast is on a first come, first serve basis.
10 am: The Blue Train arrives at Kimberley Station for an off-train excursion. Guests disembark and gather at the Railway Museum; from where you will board a bus that transfers you to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum.
10:30 am: View interesting and historical sites before a tour of the mine and a enclosed ramp viewpoint on the edge of the Big Hole.
12:30 pm: Guests depart for the station. On arrival you are greeted with a glass of sherry that is engraved with The Blue Train logo; as a memento for guests to keep.
1 pm: The Blue Train departs Kimberley Station. After this exciting tour, guests are welcome to refresh themselves and enjoy aperitifs served at any one of the lounges.
First sitting for lunch.
2:30 pm: Second sitting for lunch.
4:30 pm: High Tea is in the lounge car
6:30 pm: First sitting for dinner.
8:15 pm: Second sitting for dinner
Guests enjoy post-dinner drinks, cognacs and Cuban cigars in the Club Car before retiring to bed.
Day 3:
7 am: Breakfast is on a first come, first serve basis.
1 pm: First sitting for lunch.
2:30: Second sitting for lunch.
6 pm: The Blue Train arrives at Cape Town Station. Butlers usher guests to The Blue Train Lounge.
Dinner is an elegant affair; therefore men are requested to wear a jacket/waistcoat and evening wear for ladies. During the day, dress code is smart casual. Special requests for meals (e.g. Kosher and Halaal) are to be specified at the time of reservation.
To see full information on The Blue Train and its accommodation options, visit The Blue Train.
Fine dining on The Blue Train
The Blue Train to/from Cape Town Rates
The Blue Train to/from Cape Town 2026 Rates
Suite Type
LOW SEASON:
1st January until 31st August 2026
& 16th November until 31st December 2026
HIGH SEASON:
1st September until 15th November 2026
Per Person Sharing
Luxury
R 51 905
R 63 420
De Luxe
R 40 685
R 50 220
The Blue Train to/from Cape Town 2027 Rates
Suite Type
LOW SEASON:
1st January until 31st August 2027
& 16th November until 31st December 2027
HIGH SEASON:
1st September until 15th November 2027
Per Person Sharing
Luxury
R 58 135
R 71 030
De Luxe
R 45 565
R 56 245
Single supplement is 50% of the above per person sharing rates.
All rates are per person, inclusive of all meals, high tea, drinks; alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and off-train excursions. Excluding French champagne, caviar, and external telephone calls.
Guests receive Blue Train branded gifts and a certificate that ‘authenticates’ their experience and ‘certifies’ them as The Blue Train “Ambassadors”. There is a Boutique Shop should guest wish to purchase Blue Train gifts for family and loved ones back home.
Rates quoted are for a one way journey and are subject to change without prior notification. Arrival times and off-train excursions cannot be guaranteed.
Bed preference (double or single) to be specified when making a reservation; as double beds are limited.
Wheelchair/Special Needs: The Blue Train is not fully wheelchair friendly but it has a customized wheelchair on-board which has been specifically designed to negotiate the train’s corridors. A butler will be on hand to assist guests should they require.
The Blue Train to/from Cape Town Child Policy:
Children 5 years and younger sharing a suite with their parents travel free of charge (maximum of two children per suite). Children between 6 and 11 years old occupy a separate suite and pay 50% of the adult rate per person sharing. Should a child between 6 and 11 years old occupy a suite as a single occupant, they pay 50% of the adult rate. Children 12 years and older pay the full adult rate per person sharing and will be accommodated in a separate suite.
NB: Due to space constraints, The Blue Train will not be able to accommodate additional bed and/or mattress or cot in the suite to accommodate infants/children. As such, children will have to share the bed / beds with their parents /guardians. Should this pose a problem, we recommend that guests book an additional suite for their children at applicable children’s rate.
The Blue Train to/from Cape Town Departure Dates
2026 Blue Train Departure Dates
Pretoria to Cape Town
Cape Town to Pretoria
August
3, 10, 17
6, 13, 20
September
7, 14, 21
10, 17, 24
October
5, 12, 19, 26
8, 15, 22, 29
November
9, 16, 23, 30
12, 19, 26
December
7, 14
3, 10, 17
2027 Blue Train Departure Dates
Pretoria to Cape Town
Cape Town to Pretoria
January
11, 18, 25
14, 21, 28
February
15, 22
11, 18, 25
March
08, 15, 22
11, 18, 25
April
19, 26
12, 22, 29
May
03
06
June
–
–
July
12, 19, 26
15, 22, 29
August
09, 16, 23
12, 19, 26
September
13, 20
16, 23
October
04, 11
07, 14
November
01, 08, 15, 22
04, 11, 18, 25
December
06, 13
09, 16
Places to stay in Cape Town pre / post Blue Train Cape Town Journey
See Cape Town for information and some of the best accommodation options here. for pre / post stays.
South Africa Safaris and Tours
We are still working on this and have many more South African Tours available if you get in touch with us.
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