Premier Classe Train Reservations
Premier Classe ran its first train journey in years from Johannesburg to Durban via Pietermaritzburg on the 5th June 2025, and a return trip on the 9th June 2025; for the Comrades marathon. There are currently no further Premier Classe train journeys scheduled.
Comrades Marathon Train
Premier Classe ticckets were original advertised for R7360 per person (10% group discount of R6630 per person for 10 to 15 people) for a travel package, with the price later coming down to R5250 per person; the travel package includes:
- 1 bed (the train is your hotel for the the weekend of the Comrades Marathon)
- 4 breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 2 dinners
- 5 Jun 2025, 18h00, train leaves JHB Park Station
- 6 Jun 2025, train arrives in Pietermaritzburg
- 7 Jun 2025, overnight in the train in Pietermaritzburg
- 8 Jun 2025, 06h00, train leaves Pietermaritzburg
- 8 Jun 2025, 20h00, train departs Durban's Moses Mabhida
- 9 Jun 2025, train arrives at JHB Park Station
Book your Premier Classe Train ticket using the booking engine below; or phone:
- Germiston Station 011-0131836
- Johannesburg Park Station 011-0130507
- Polokwane Station 015-2996205
- Pretoria Station 012-3152090
- 080-1229091
- 080-(BE-MOVED) 236 6833
Price Comparison with Intercape to Comrades 2025
An Intercape coach from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg (one-way) on the 5th June would cost R280 at the time of writing for a saver class ticket on a Mainliner coach (there's an Intercape special running at the moment). On the way back, from Durban to Johannesburg with Intercape on the 9th of June 2025 cost R410. at the time of writing; for a saver class one-way ticket with Big Sky Intercity.
That seems cheap compared to the Premier Classe prices, but you'd still need for pay for accommodation and meals.
Awesome — I added a Fare Type selector so people can choose Economy/Sitter or Sleeper/Tourist. It auto-populates from the CSV for the selected route, shows prices next to each option, and includes the chosen class and fare in the WhatsApp message. ```htmlTrain Booking (One-way)
According to its 2024 annual report, PRASA plans on reintroducing its Premier Classe rail service in 2025. The Premier Classe offers luxury train travel between Johannesburg and Cape Town, & Johannesburg and Durban (Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth trips have been cancelled). Whilst a notch below the luxurious Blue Train, the Premier Classe offers a higher specification service than Shosholoza Meyl. Housekeeping makes your bed up for you while eating supper & your sheets are removed the following morning during breakfast.
Tips for a better experience
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Ask for a porter to take your bags from your car to the Premier Classe lounge at Park Station in Johannesburg.
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If you're not a smoker, avoid staying near the smoking car.
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If you're a light sleeper a train may not be a good idea, as it is noisy on the tracks and the train rattles.
News & History
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23 Dec 2014. Johannesburg to PE trips are cancelled, as well as a monthly Johanneburg to Durban service.
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1 Jul 2014. Premier Classe increased by 5 - 7% on all routes.
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1 Jun 2013. Premier Classe fares go up by 6%.
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Apr 2013. Premier Classe services is introduced on the Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth route. The service is available 3 times a week in either direction.
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11 Jan 2013. PRASA reduce Premier Classe train frequencies between the Johannesburg and Cape Town as well as Johannesburg and Durban routes.
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16 Nov 2010. Premier Class train services are reinstated.
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15 Aug 2010. Following a dispute between Transnet & Prasa, it seems that the only Prasa train which will run in the next two weeks is this weekend's Premier Classe service from Johannesburg to Durban and back. All the other other Premier Classe trains have also been cancelled.
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May 2010 . Premier Classe train services are suspended whilst Transnet workers go on strike.
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5 Dec 2008. Premier Classe's inaugural train trip from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
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14 Oct 2008. Spoornet launches Premier Classe train trips between Johannesburg and Durban.
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Oct 2007. A new Premier Classe train is introduced which can transport 126 passengers.
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2006. The Premier Classe trains becomes a dedicated luxury train with 11 coaches accommodating eighty four passengers.
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2001. The Premier Classe train is established, with its 4 coaches being able to transport 24 passengers.
Premier Classe reservations & enquiries
Not currently operating.
Routes
Premier Classe train Premier Classe train reservations could be be made between:
-
Cape Town - Johannesburg (stops at Beaufort West & Kimberley)
-
Durban - Johannesburg
These are not currently operating; an alternative is to book luxury trains between Pretoria and Cape Town with Rovos Rail and The Blue Train.
Baggage allowance
Maximum baggage allowance of 25 kilograms per adult, but an extra baggage allowance may be purchased.
Schedules & prices (1-way)
All prices are historic and unavailable.
|
JNB - DBN |
DBN - JNB |
JNB - CPT |
CPT - JNB |
Departures |
Last Fri of month @ 18h20 |
Sun after last Friday of month 17h30 |
Thu @ 15h00 |
Tue @ 09h05 |
Arrivals |
Sat @ 08h30 |
Mon @06h30 |
Fri @ 16h16 |
Wed @ 11h03 |
Jul 2014 |
R1120 |
R1120 |
R2840 |
R2840 |
Feb 2014 |
R1050 |
R1050 |
R2650 |
R2650 |
Nov 2013 |
R990 |
R990 |
R2500 |
R2500 |
Mar 2013 - Oct 2013 |
R990 |
R990 |
R2500 |
R2500 |
JNB - DBN |
DBN - JNB |
JNB - CPT |
CPT - JNB |
|
Dec 2008 & Jan 2009 |
R980 |
R980 |
R2250 |
R2250 |
Feb 2009 |
R600 |
R600 |
R1380 |
R1380 |
Mar 2009 |
R750 |
R750 |
R1730 |
R1730 |
Aug 2009 |
R720 |
R720 |
R1520 |
R1520 |
Sep 2009 |
R870 |
R870 |
R1920 |
R1920 |
Oct 2009 |
R870 |
R870 |
R1920 |
R1920 |
Nov 2009 |
R720 |
R720 |
R1520 |
R1520 |
Dec 2009 |
R1120 |
R1120 |
R2500 |
R2500 |
Jan 2010 |
R1120 |
R1120 |
R2500 |
R2500 |
Feb 2010 |
R720 |
R720 |
R1250 |
R1250 |
Mar 2010 |
R870 |
R870 |
R1920 |
R1920 |
Apr 2010 |
R1010 |
R1010 |
R2210 |
R2210 |
Schedules & prices are subject to change without notice.
Reservations
Unfortuanately Premier Classe train reservations cannot be made online.
Telephonic reservations |
Central Reservations 086 000 8888 |
Fax |
Johannesburg 011 773 7946 |
Stops between Johannesburg & Cape Town
The Premier Class train route between Johannesburg and Cape Town stops at Klerksdorp, Kimberley, De Aar, Beaufort West, Matjiesfontein and Worcester.
Premier Classe from Johannesburg to Cape Town
Other train services in SA
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