Pretoria to Cape Town
The classic two-night, 1,600 km crossing of South Africa from Pretoria to Cape Town, with an off-train excursion on the way.
- PretoriaDay 1
- KimberleyDay 2
- MatjiesfonteinDay 3
- Cape TownDay 3
Overview
The Blue Train's signature journey crosses the breadth of South Africa over two nights, from the Highveld to the Cape. Schedule and weather permitting, it includes a guided visit to Kimberley's Big Hole and mine museum, or a tour of the Karoo village of Matjiesfontein on a red London double-decker bus.
- Check-in at the Blue Train lounge with live music and pre-departure drinks
- Kimberley's Big Hole and mine museum
- Or a double-decker bus tour of Matjiesfontein and a stop at the Lord Milner Hotel
- High tea in the Lounge Car
- Two sittings of fine dining with Cape wines
- Karoo and Cape mountain scenery
Day by day
Day 1PretoriaOn board
Check in at the Blue Train lounge in Pretoria about an hour before departure and relax to live music with snacks and drinks. The train leaves in the early afternoon, heading southwest across the Highveld.
Day 2KimberleyOn board
After breakfast the train pulls into Kimberley, where, weather and time permitting, you tour the open mine museum and the Big Hole, one of the deepest hand-dug excavations in the world. Back on board, lunch is served in two sittings, followed by high tea in the Lounge Car and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · High tea · Dinner
Day 3Cape Town
Enjoy breakfast and a light lunch in the Lounge and Observation Cars as the train crosses the Karoo and the Cape mountains. On some departures the excursion is a double-decker bus tour of Matjiesfontein instead of Kimberley. The journey ends at Cape Town Station in the early evening.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch
- Night 1On board
- Night 2On board
The map is schematic. Dashed lines are excursions by road.
De Luxe Suite
- Shower or three-quarter bathtub
- Beds fold out from the daytime seating panel
- Butler on call around the clock
- Lockable door and in-suite safe
Luxury Suite
- Full-size bathtub in an Italian marble bathroom
- Larger private lounge by day
- Mostly twin beds, a few doubles
- Under-floor heating and individual air conditioning
- Monogrammed bedding, towels and robes
There are far fewer Luxury suites than De Luxe suites, so early booking is recommended; state your bath or shower preference when booking.
- Accommodation in your suite
- All meals and room service
- Drinks on board, except caviar and French Champagne
- Off-train excursion transport, guided tours and entry fees
- Limited laundry and valet service
- Wi-Fi on board
- Deposit
- 10% of the total at booking
- Final payment
- 60 days before departure
Dates and prices
Live availability. Choose a cabin type, then select Book Now to reserve online, or Join waitlist on sold-out dates.
Luxury Suite
De Luxe Suite
Join the waitlist
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Questions about this journey
How long does the journey take?
It is two nights and three days, covering about 1,600 km. The train departs Pretoria in the early afternoon and arrives in Cape Town in the early evening of day three.
When should I check in?
Check-in at the Blue Train lounge in Pretoria opens an hour before the scheduled departure, with live music, snacks and drinks while you wait.
Which excursion is included?
Schedule and weather permitting, guests either tour Kimberley's Big Hole and mine museum or take a red double-decker bus tour of Matjiesfontein with a stop at the Lord Milner Hotel. Transport, guides and entry fees are included.
How does dining work?
Breakfast is served at leisure, and lunch and dinner are served in up to two sittings in the dining car. Light lunches and high tea are served in the Lounge and Observation Cars.
Can I travel the other way?
Yes, the Blue Train also runs from Cape Town to Pretoria over two nights, with the same excursion options.
How do I check dates and fares?
Live dates and fares are shown on this page, and our reservations team can help on (866) 484-7882.
