Availability last updated on 30 Jan 2026 for Rovos Rail; on 10 Nov 2025 for The Blue Train
Blue Train Availability & Rates (Cape Town to Pretoria)
Prices are shown based on your selection in the 'Travellers' filter. While you are on The Blue Train and Rovos Rail, accommodation is included, fine dining (excluding caviar), beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic - except French champagne), and off-train excursions. External phone calls and gratuities are excluded. The longer you take to book the greater the chance of prices and availability changing. Select your preferred currency at the top - US Dollars, Bitcoin, Rands, Great Britain Pounds, Euros, Canadian Dollars or Australian Dollars; the prices are automatically adjusted for current exchange rates. We are the only official reseller showing prices in US Dollars, Great Britain Pounds, Euros, Canadian Dollars and Australian Dollars. We accept payment in most cryptocurrencies. Credit card payments accepted. WhatsApp Rob (any time of night or day) for more info. Email rob@southafrica.to to firm up a booking.
No surcharge for Credit Card payments
Blue Train Cape Town to Pretoria Availability & Cost
- Luxury Train tip 1: Also check Blue Train Pretoria to Cape Town prices.
- Luxury Train tip 2 See advance booking specials for The Blue Train
The longer you take to book the greater the chance of train fares changing. Email "Railroad Ro" rob@southafrica.to; or WhatsApp anytime for anything.
Schedule
The train is scheduled to take 54 hours (but due to the state of South Africa's railways delays are not uncommon):
- depart from Cape Town Station most Thursday and Saturdays at 12h00
- arrive at Pretoria Station 2 days later (Saturday or Monday) at 18h00
The Blue Train covers a distance of some 1600km, a bit further than the 1270km as the crow flies.
Day 1:
- 10h00am Register and check-in at The Blue Train VIP Lounge at Cape Town station. Enjoy pre-departure canapes and drinks.
- 11h45am Boarding the train starts, guests are ushered by butlers to their suites.
- 12h00 The train departs Cape Town Station, and guests are welcomed on board.
- 13h00pm A light lunch in the Observation Car and Lounge Car
- Dinner.Jacket and tie for men, elegant evening wear for ladies; enjoy Cuban cigars and cognac in the Club Car afterwards
- 18h00pm to 19h30pm 1st sitting
- 20h00pm to 21h30pm 2nd sitting
The Blue Train exiting the Hex River Pass's tunnel between Worcester and De Doorns (near Matroosberg), which the Blue Train uses on its Cape Town - Pretoria route.
Day 2
- 07h00am to 10h00am breakfast
- Lunch
- 12h00 to 13h15pm first sitting
- 13h30pm to 14h30pm seccond sitting
- Off the train excursion (weather and time permitting)
- 14h30pm Arrive at Kimberley's Open Mine Museum for a tour.
- 16h00pm Depart from the Open Mine Museum, enjoying a glass of sherry at Kimberley Station; engraved with the Blue Train logo as a keepsake.
- 16h30 to 17h30pm High Tea in the non-smoking lounge car
- 18h00pm Train departs Kimberley Station
- Dinner.Jacket and tie for men, elegant evening wear for ladies; enjoy Cuban cigars and cognac in the Club Car afterwards
- 18h30pm to 20h00pm 1st sitting
- 20h30pm to 22h00pm 2nd sitting
Day 3
- `07h00am to 10h00am Breakfast
- 13h00pm to 15h00pm Light Lunch
- 15h00pm to 18h00pm Train is scheduled to arrive at Pretoria Station. Departure and Arrival times are subject to change.
Above is The Blue Train locomotive class 25NC (then run by South African Railways) stopping at Kimberley Station in 1962
Blue Train from Cape Town to Johannesburg
The Blue Train stops in Pretoria, not Johannesburg, but SA Travel Online will provide a free transfer from Pretoria Station to Johannesburg.
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