The Blue Train

Blue Train (South Africa) — a Transnet division
South Africa
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The Journey

Navigate from Irene Station (Pretoria) — check-in at Irene Country Lodge (Farm side) from 11:00 to Cape Town Station across a span of 1600km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Departure from the modern Irene Station precinct near Pretoria
  • Vast open Highveld of Gauteng and the North West Province
  • Crossing the Vaal River and descending onto the central plateau
  • Big Karoo expanse of semi-desert and endless horizon
  • Kimberley stop — visit the iconic Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum
  • Cape Winelands approach past Worcester and Paarl
  • Final approach into Cape Town with Table Mountain dominating the skyline
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    51 hours

  • Distance

    1600 km

  • Est. Price

    R40,685 – R63,420 per person sharing (2026). High season (1 Sep – 15 Nov) is priced ~23% above low season. Single supplement: +50%. Children 6–11: 50% of adult fare; 12+: full adult fare; up to two children under 5 travel free sharing existing beds.

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: All-Inclusive (all meals, high tea, most beverages — excludes French Champagne and caviar)

Ensuite: Yes

Meals: All-Inclusive (all meals, high tea, most beverages — excludes French Champagne and caviar)

Ensuite: Yes

Engine / Locomotive

South African Class 15E, 18E or 20E diesel-electric locomotives (Transnet Freight Rail pool)

Locomotive Weight

Approximately 120–138 tonnes per locomotive (Co'Co' wheel arrangement)

Track Gauge

1,067 mm (Cape gauge)

Braking Technology

Air brakes (Westinghouse-compatible) on all coaches; regenerative/locomotive dynamic braking on the diesel-electric

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 1,600 km route traverses multiple climate zones — Highveld grassland, semi-arid Karoo, and Mediterranean Winelands

  • Significant elevation change from Highveld (~1,350 m at Irene) to sea level at Cape Town

  • Mix of modern and aging Transnet infrastructure requiring careful pathing to keep timings reliable

  • Long single-track sections between Kimberley and De Aar demand precise scheduling

  • Heat in the Karoo (40 °C+ in summer) requires robust air-conditioning redundancy on board

Maximum line speed

90 km/h (line limit; Blue Train operates below this for comfort)

Total route distance

1,600 km (Pretoria–Cape Town)

Consist (typical)

18–20 coaches: observation/lounge cars, dining cars, sleeper suites, service/guard vans, generator/auxiliary vans

Suite dimensions

De Luxe ~7 m², Luxury ~11 m² (largest on board)

Year built

Original coaches built 1920s–1930s; current luxury consist assembled 1990s with ongoing refurbishment

Off-train excursion

Kimberley — Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum (included in fare)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    51 hours

  • Distance

    1600 km

  • Est. Price

    R40,685 – R63,420 per person sharing (2026). High season (1 Sep – 15 Nov) is priced ~23% above low season. Single supplement: +50%. Children 6–11: 50% of adult fare; 12+: full adult fare; up to two children under 5 travel free sharing existing beds.

Official Booking Provider