The Blue Train lives up to its reputation for magnificence and
splendour, offering its passengers a luxurious on-board experience
that they will never forget.
Making the spectacular nearly 1000-mile journey across South Africa from
lively Pretoria
and fascinating Cape
Town, the Blue Train is South Africa's premium train, designed
to discover the magic of this stunning African nation in comfort,
luxury and style. The Blue Train harks all the way back to the
1920s where it has its origins in two separate trains, known as the
Union Limited and the Union Express. Both were steam trains which
travelled along the Great African Railway, past the Zambezi river
and the glorious Victoria Falls. With the South African gold and
diamond boom, the wealthy visitors came to expect a higher level of
rail travel and consequently, a more luxury service was introduced.
After the two trains were requisitioned for WWII in the 1940s, the
two were turned into what is now called the Blue Train, named after
the royal blues of the engines. With refurbishment in the 1970s,
this train has ferried kings, presidents and dignitaries across the
length and breadth of South Africa.
The Blue Train has a Lounge Car which is the
ideal place to meet your fellow travellers and relax after dinner
with a coffee. The Club Car has a well-stocked bar, a library and a
big screen television and is a great place for a game of cards or
backgammon. There is also a boutique on board, selling a collection
of beautiful South African jewellery as well as Blue Train
souvenirs. A Train Manager and two engineers are on board the train
at all times and they are all happy to share their knowledge of the
country, route and train with passengers.
The meals on board The Blue Train are an
experience in themselves and are taken in the dining car. On-board
chefs use the freshest produce and ingredients to prepare a
sumptuous menu of local cuisine, which is complemented by
award-winning South African wines. Crisp table linen, crystal
glassware and the finest Sheffield cutlery complement the silver
service presentation of the food. A continental or full English
breakfast is served at leisure.
Classic
(28 reviews)
Luxury
