For over 70 years The Blue Train has enjoyed an international reputation as one of the world’s pre-eminent all-inclusive travelling experiences.
The Blue Train has been repeatedly voted the ‘World’s Leading Luxury Train’ by some 250 000 travel agents in 181 countries at the World Travel Awards and in 1998, was also named as one of the “20 Best Experiences in the World”. These accolades pay tribute to one of the most technologically advanced, innovative trains in the world. Traversing South Africa’s varied landscapes along two alternative routes, The Blue Train combines all the comfort and luxury of a five-star hotel with a globally unparalleled journey.
Accommodation aboard The Blue Train is both sumptuous and decadent. All suites have private en-suite facilities, featuring either a shower or bath, complete with marble floors, gold fittings, plush white towels, soft gowns and an array of luxury amenities that complete the feeling of opulence. Each suite is a world on its own, with an individually controlled air-conditioning system and a private entertainment centre with a choice of movie channels and radio stations.
The Blue Train has been repeatedly voted the ‘World’s Leading Luxury Train’ by some 250 000 travel agents in 181 countries at the World Travel Awards and in 1998.
The Luxury Suite takes the choice even further, with an inviting selection of compact disks and movies on video and DVD. You can also tune into the driver’s eye view camera and watch the world ahead as you swiftly glide along – as well as track The Blue Train’s progress, speed and location on the GPS system. De Luxe suites have a choice of twin beds (with shower) or double beds (with baths), while Luxury suites offer a choice of twin or double bed with full-size bath facilities. By day, the elegantly furnished suites provide a spacious lounge with writing desk, ideally positioned next to the window. As night falls, they become subtly lit, en-suite bedrooms, with fine cotton linen. Around-the-clock personal Butlers see to the guests’ every need for the duration of their experience – be it in the comfort of their private suites or at any one of the exquisite lounges.
The Blue Train prides itself on its fine wines, selected to complement its gourmet cuisine. The wine list has received the Diners Club International Merit Award of Approval on numerous occasions. The table d’ hote and vegetarian menus are prepared using only the freshest ingredients according to the seasons, and the areas through which the train travels, to introduce guests to the best of South African cuisine. In keeping with the classically romantic ambience of the 42- seater dining car, lunch is a casual affair, while dinner is more formal.
Men are requested to wear a jacket and tie or waistcoat or dress in traditional attire and ladies are requested to dress in elegant evening wear or traditional attire. All meals, snacks and drinks are complimentary, and are served in the observation car, elegant lounge car and club car (smoking permitted) – or in the suites by the personal butlers. High tea is also served in the lounge car in the afternoons. Should guests prefer the more relaxing ambience of a gentleman’s pub atmosphere, then the club car is the ideal place to be, offering impeccable service with its card tables, a small library and a fully equipped bar. Here guests can watch a short film about the areas, which the train is passing. After dinner guests can also enjoy a Cuban cigar before they retire to their suites.
The most popular route is a 2 night, 46-hour journey between Pretoria, the country’s administrative capital, and Cape Town, South Africa’s cosmopolitan mother city and seat of the nation’s Parliament, in either direction. An off-train excursion is also included at no extra cost. The train stops at Kimberley where guests explore the Big Hole and the Diamond Museum.
The Blue Train boasts an amazing observation car at the end of the train with picture windows on three sides for maximum enjoyment of the passing scenery. Luxurious VIP Lounges are situated at both the Pretoria and Cape Town Train station, where guests are welcomed and checked-in by The Blue Train staff. The Blue Train offers far more than just a journey. It is an all-inclusive experience offering a combination of unsurpassed luxury travel, five star accommodation, fine cuisine, personalised butler service and routes that offer breathtaking views of the countryside. So take a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where spectacular scenery stirs your imagination and luxurious comfort soothes your body and soul. Go ahead… Indulge yourself.
For those who wish to explore accommodation across South Africa as well as journey aboard the Blue Train, we can certainly accommodate and create a bespoke itinerary for you.
Simply get in touch using the request form below and we’ll get back to you in no time.
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