Bespoke Luxury Train Charters

The Events Train provides an old - world, enchanting, and romantic setting for weddings. Guests are greeted at the private Capital Park station in Pretoria with a sparkling wine reception, orange juice, and a one - hour string duet.

• Grand Entrance: The bride can make a spectacular entrance arriving at the platform in the cab of a steam locomotive (dependent on availability).
• The Ceremony: Hosted within the charming Edwardian station building.
• The Journey: A three - hour gentle journey winding through Jacaranda City (Pretoria).
• Dining: A four - course sit - down lunch or dinner for up to 120 guests.

Wedding Inclusions: Station reception (sparkling wine, orange juice, string duet for one hour). Bride's steam loco arrival. All meals and beverages on board the train. One - hour limited bar on the platform after the train returns. Use of the PA system in the station building. Flowers in the station building and on board the train. Secure parking for guest vehicles. Rovos Rail is zero - rated for VAT.

Exclusions: Gratuities (at own discretion). Special requests such as international sparkling wine. Additional flowers. Wedding cake. Event planner. Marriage officer. Photographer.

Events are exclusively daytime journeys and can take place on the train whilst it completes a three - hour circular trip around Pretoria, or a one - way journey to any destination within eight hours' rail travel time from Pretoria (e.g., Magaliesburg, Naboomspruit, Dullstroom).

Depending on guest numbers, the train offers full bar facilities and can host:

• A four - course sit - down lunch or dinner for up to 120 guests.
• Canapés served for the duration of the journey for up to 250 guests.

For longer private charters, you can book the 36 - suite train for a 1 - night return to Rustenberg (256km), or a 2 - night return to Dullstroom (672km).

Prices for a standard 3 - hour trip around Pretoria are based on the number of guests:

Inclusions: Station reception (sparkling wine, orange juice, light canapés, string duet 1 - hour). Steam loco on the platform. All meals and beverages on board the train. Rovos Rail menus. Use of the PA system in the station building. Flowers in the station building and on board. Secure parking for guest vehicles. Rovos Rail is classified as transport and as such is zero - rated for VAT.

Events Train & Weddings:

• 181+ days prior: 20% refundable deposit required.
• 180 - 121 days prior: 20% non - refundable payment.
• 120 - 61 days prior: 60% non - refundable payment.
• 60 days or less: 100% non - refundable payment.

Charter Train - Return Journey:

• 276+ days prior: 20% refundable.
• 275 - 181 days prior: 20% non - refundable.
• 180 - 91 days prior: 60% non - refundable.
• 90 days or less: 100% non - refundable.

Exclusive circle routes departing from and returning to Pretoria Station. Includes welcome snacks and a 5 - course gourmet lunch or dinner with wine pairing.

Surrender to the "Luxury of Slow" on an exclusive overnight journey with no fixed destination, maximising networking time in the public areas.

Multi - day return journeys to South Africa's premier leisure and safari hubs.

The ultimate private rail event covering 1600 km with an excursion to the Kimberley Open Mine Museum.

Note that The Blue Train does not have scheduled departures or standard rates for Victoria Falls. If you want to book this route, you will have to charter the entire train!

On 9 Aug 2025, The Blue Train pulled into Victoria Falls Railway Station for the first time with passengers since 2013 (excluding a 2021 test journey with no passengers on board), having first completed the route in 1997.

"We are so excited to bring our guests to Africa’s most iconic destination. We are promising to bring more people on this route. We are backed by popular demand. Our clients are so happy, and we are already all over social media and are getting questions and inquiries about our next trip. We will be back in a few weeks."
- Ms Mosa Matlhtsi, Blue Train Manager

💬 WhatsApp Railroad Rob for help

• Reservations: Open on 2 January each year for the following year.
• Payments: 50% deposit required 6 months prior to departure; balance due 60 days before travel.
• Cancellations: Fees are 25% (60+ days prior) or 50% (less than 60 days) for group bookings.
• Children: Ages 5 and younger share with parents free (max 2 per suite); ages 6 - 11 pay 50% in a separate suite.

The train can comfortably accommodate up to 240 passengers. When planning your corporate function or event charter, please keep the following operational realities in mind:

• Costing: Please note that it is not cheaper to hire out only half a train, as the core running and operational costs remain the same.
• Routing & Scheduling: Journeys are strictly limited by active railway infrastructure and existing track traffic.
• Regulations: Operations are bound by very strict rules dictating what may be done and when the train may run.

Onboard Amenities: One of the coaches functions as a dedicated lounge car featuring a full cash bar service. Waitrons can be arranged to provide beverage service throughout the train.

With over twenty years of collective experience, the Ceres Rail team frequently assists the film industry with steam - related projects, spanning television adverts to feature films and documentaries.

• Equipment Hire: Access to historic locomotives, coaches, and related railway equipment for authentic production design.
• Location Scouting: Expert assistance in finding the perfect scenic backdrops along various operating railway lines.
• Site Inspections: Contact the team to schedule a formal appointment and site inspection of the train and equipment prior to committing to production.

• What is the distance The Blue Train travels between Pretoria & Cape Town?
  1660 km (904 Miles).
• How long is The Blue Train?
  Long train - 399 metres; Short train - 294 metres.
• How long has the train been in existence?
  The Blue Train was launched and has been in existence since 1946. Rovos Rail was established in 1989.
• Are the windows bullet - proof?
  The windows are not bullet - proof but are double - glazed. If someone were to stone the window it would shatter on the first attempt and would need a high impact to go through the window.
• Does The Blue Train fare include gratuity?
  The fare does not include gratuities. Our guests are not obliged to give the staff gratuities. However, should guests at their own discretion wish to do so, guests are encouraged to use the gratuity box located at the entrance of the Club (Smoking) Car. Gratuities are then shared equally amongst all the staff (including the kitchen staff) at the end of each trip.
• How much water does The Blue Train hold?
  Each coach - 5,000 litres; Entire train - 85,000 litres.
• Which famous people have travelled on The Blue Train?
  Former Presidents - Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, Archbishop Desmond Tutu & wife, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Imran Khan, Naomi Campbell, Quincy Jones, Mia Farrow, Sir Nigel Mansell & wife, Paul Simon, Jonty & Kate Rhodes, John Corr, Earl & Lady Spencer, Leo Sayer, Pieter - Dirk Uys, Neil Young, Sir Peter Ustinov, Sir Elton John, Danny Glover, Karin Barnard, Sir Tim Rice, Kylie Minogue.

Both trains are globally recognised for their exceptional service and unique venues.

The Blue Train has been voted Africa's Leading Luxury Train for 11 consecutive years by the World Travel Awards and the World's Leading Luxury Train for eight years. The onboard wine list is a Diners Club International Diamond Award Winner.

Rovos Rail regularly participates in the prestigious World MICE Awards for Africa's Best Events Venue. It competes against top - tier South African stationary venues, including The Twelve Apostles Terrace at the top of Table Mountain and the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, highlighting the truly exceptional nature of a mobile rail event.

A masterpiece of engineering, The Blue Train glides across the landscape with impressive statistics:

• Length: The train measures exactly 396 metres (433 yards) long.
• Weight: Approximately 825 metric tons (excluding the weight of the locomotives).
• Speed: A maximum service speed of 90 km/h (58.2 mph) ensures a smooth, quiet journey.
• Power: On - board energy is supplied by two diesel - powered generator sets (with one always on standby), capable of generating up to 550 KVA with a 650 - volt power supply.
• Electricity: The electricity supply on - board is 220 volts.
• Water: The train carries 31,000 litres (6,820 gallons) of water to serve the luxury en - suite bathrooms and galleys. Bottled water is supplied in suites.
• First Aid: Trained first aid personnel are on - board at all times, and doctors can be contacted at various stations en - route.