The Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town
- 9 Days
- From £3,399
- South Africa
- Time to explore Pretoria before boarding the iconic Blue Train at lunchtime on the second day
- Luxurious two night experience on the Blue Train including fine dining and drinks
- Three days to enjoy beautiful Cape Town at the end of your luxurious adventure
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Return flights from London to Johannesburg and Cape Town to London
- Double De Luxe cabin on the Blue Train including all meals, drinks and excursion to Kimberley Diamond Mine
- Private transfers Johannesburg airport to Pretoria hotel and Cape Town station to hotel & hotel to airport
- 5 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
Fly overnight from London to Johannesburg where a private transfer will be waiting to take you to Pretoria. Here, you will check into the Sheraton Pretoria (or similar) for an overnight stay.
Spend the rest of the day and evening exploring Pretoria (pictured), perhaps visiting the Voortrekker monument, Union Buildings and Botanical Garden.
You have a free morning in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. The city straddles both banks of the Apies River and spreads into the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountains. There are plenty of museums to explore here, including the extensive Pretoria Art Museum and the fascinating Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History.
At lunchtime, it’s time to head for the station and board the gleaming carriages of the Blue Train. Dinner is served onboard before you retire to your cabin.
After breakfast at your own leisure, you will arrive at Kimberley station. Here (weather permitting) you will disembark for a tour of the fascinating Open Mine Museum, which transports you back to the days of the diamond rush. Back onboard, lunch is served in the restaurant car. In the afternoon, enjoy high tea in the train’s Lounge Car and watch the fantastic scenery roll past your window. Why not enjoy a pre-dinner drink in any of the train’s lounges before a sumptuous 4-course evening meal served in the dining car. After dinner, relax in the Club Car with a digestif or retire to your cosy cabin.
Enjoy breakfast in the comfort of your cabin, or head to the dining car if you prefer. Enjoy another day onboard, including a delicious lunch. As you sweep around Table Bay you will see the unmistakable shape of Table Mountain loom in front of you.
You’ll arrive into Cape Town in the early evening and meet your transfer which will take you to the Victoria and Alfred Hotel (or similar). You will spend 4 nights here.
You have three full days to lose yourself to the beauty and abundant highlights of Cape Town. Take a day trip to the iconic Table Mountain, visit the Boulders Penguin Colony, sun yourself on the beaches and look out from the Cape of Good Hope.
The District Six Museum, which charts the appalling years of apartheid, is a must-visit, as is Robben Island. Refer to our excursion options for inspiration and ideas.
On your last morning in Cape Town, meet your transfer driver at the hotel and head for the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Alternatively, why not extend your holiday with a stay in the Cape Winelands or the spectacular Garden Route towards Port Elizabeth? Please ask for details and prices.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Pretoria
This upscale hotel is set near the Union Buildings, South Africa’s seat of government. The elegant guestrooms feature Italian marble bathrooms and scenic views. Dining options include an airy restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a chic bar offering light fare. There’s also an outdoor pool, a gym and a spa.
Cape Town
In a converted waterfront warehouse dating to 1904, this chic hotel has views over Alfred Basin and the city centre to Table Mountain. The stylish rooms boast contemporary interiors and either mountain or city views. Facilities include a spa, gym and two excellent restaurants.
Upgrade your accommodation
Cape Town
Popular with Blue Train passengers, this luxury hotel occupies two historic buildings and a modern tower in the heart of Cape Town. Its elegant rooms combine old-world quality with modern amenities and offer city or Table Mountain views. The hotel features three restaurants, an Ayurvedic spa, a fitness centre and an indoor pool.
Cape Town
Enjoying a superb location at the foot of Table Mountain, and just a short stroll from downtown, this resort offers the perfect combination of tranquility and buzz. The rooms are a blend of understated charm and modern luxury with most offering balconies and Cape Town views. Facilities include two swimming pools, two restaurants, spa and fitness centre.
Cape Town
Poised above the Atlantic Ocean, this boutique hotel is flanked by the majestic Table Mountain National Park and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. The hotel offers 70 guest rooms, with unique features that include a holistic spa, private cinema, and breathtaking views from the legendary Azure Restaurant and The Leopard Bar.
