Over time meandered from the 19th Century towards the dawn of the new era, a dream was born. A dream of harnessing new steam technology to link Africa’s vast south to north, around the awe-inspiring mountain ranges that dot the continent, through the apparently arid desert landscapes, over untamed savannah grasslands teeming with wildlife. Over Cape town all the way to Cairo… all of this on parallel lines of tempered steel. One of Africa’s pride is the Blue Train which has been synonymous with luxury and hospitality since 1946, traveling through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent.
Guests on the train will expect personal and attentive service, a dedicated butler, comfortable accommodations, excellent fine dining, and exquisite wines.
This train represents the honeymoon couples with the gift of complimentary Champagne and a blue leather photo frame.
The Train offers scheduled and charter services. The total scheduled route that the blue train run is from Pretoria to Cape Town or vice versa and the charter routes are from either Pretoria to Durban or Pretoria to Hoedspruit.
That is coming to this dream true that The Blue Train was born. African city that is Cairo was never to be, but the dreamers persevered and The Blue Train now traverses South Africa and its breath-taking scenery in a manner that befits the mystique that has grown around it.
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Blue Train Suites
Basically, a suite is a spacious lounge by day and a sanctuary by night with goose-down duvets and pillows. That also offers Private bathrooms, marble floor and wall tiles, marble basins with gold fittings, along with a shower/bath and under-floor heating in both the bathroom and bedroom.
In the Blue Train, it offers two types of Suites,
- Deluxe Suite
- Luxury Suite
Both suites are basically similar in size the Luxury Suite offers a bigger bathroom. By day, the elegant furnished Blue Train suites offer generous lounge chairs which afford unequaled views of Africa. At night the suites become sumptuous and subtly-lit bedrooms with a choice of either two single beds (twin) or a double bed, clothed in fine cotton linen and duvets. Considerable attention is paid to guests’ needs.
On the train, there is also a writing desk next to the window. Individually-controlled air-conditioning, telephone, safe, and TV monitor with onboard movie and music channels.
Route Of The Blue Train
The Journey of Blue Train South Africa is between Pretoria city and Cape Town. The total time of this journey is a 31-hour journey of 1600 kilometers (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent.
In the Blue train all meals, a high tea, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) as well as off-train excursions are included in the fare. From time to time, South Africa Railway also travels the Blue Train between Pretoria and Hoedspruit at Kruger Park.
The Blue train starting point is Pretoria city usually on a Monday morning at 08h30 arriving in Cape Town the next day at 15h00 in the afternoon. Return of the Blue train journey departs on a Wednesday morning also at 08h30 and arrives in Pretoria at 15h00.
Fare of The Blue Train South Africa
1st Route(Pretoria to Cape town)
- Low Season Fare- Deluxe Suite 16,400 per person, Luxury Suite 20,850 per person
- High Season Fare- Deluxe Suite 21,000 per person, Luxury Suite 26,000 per person
2nd Route(Pretoria to Hoedspruit (Kruger Park))
- Low Season Fare- Deluxe suite 10,600 per person, Luxury Suite 12,750 per person
- High Season Fare- Deluxe Suite 12,000 per person, Luxury Suite 14,500 per person
Note-
- Low Seasons are in the month of January to August and 16th November to December.
- The high season is in the month of September to 15th November
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Cuisine and Catering In Blue Train South Africa
In the Blue Train, breakfast is served as continental or full English at your leisure. After lunch and dinner, the feature of the menu is a selection of local cuisine from Karoo lamb and ostrich fillet to Knysna oysters, accompanied by award-winning wines from the Cape. Total meals that are served are freshly prepared on board the train by executive chefs. The legendary cuisine of the Blue Train is an irresistible tribute to culinary mastery.
Carefully selected South African wines to complement the gourmet cuisine served on The Blue Train. Savor the wonderful food, freshly prepared in a state-of-the-art kitchen where gourmet chefs can cater to the dietary requirements of today. In this train, the dining car caters to 42 guests per sitting. Astute diners can have the pleasure of the best silver and crystal service where formal dinner attire adds to the grandeur.
This Train is fully equipped to accommodate vegetarian, Halaal, Kosher, or other special dietary requirements, which should be specified when you make your reservation. Join us at one of two dinnertime sittings, or savor your meal in the comfort of your suite. A multicultural or full English breakfast is served at your leisure.
Conclusion
I think the Blue Train is unique. This train is not merely a train but it holds all the luxury of the world’s 5 Star hotels with the charm of train travel. So don’t waste the time to 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. Sit back, enjoy, and relax!
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