Blue Train Departure Dates 2026 | Luxury Routes South Africa
Blue Train · South Africa

2026 Departure
Dates & Schedules

South Africa's five-star hotel on rails. Two iconic routes — Cape Town to Pretoria, and the Kruger Park journey — with fine dining, luxury suites, and world-class butler service.

1,600
km · Cape Town to Pretoria
2.5
Day Journey
20+
Years of Expertise
5★
Rail Experience
2026 Schedule

Select Departure Dates

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Departure Date Direction Journey Duration Deluxe Suite Luxury Suite Availability Action
18 Jul 2026
Saturday
PTA → CPT Pretoria to Cape Town 2.5 days R 40,685
per person sharing
R 51,905
per person sharing
Open Enquire →
14 Aug 2026
Friday
CPT → PTA Cape Town to Pretoria 2.5 days R 40,685
per person sharing
R 51,905
per person sharing
Limited Enquire →
15 Aug 2026
Saturday
PTA → CPT Pretoria to Cape Town 2.5 days R 40,685
per person sharing
R 51,905
per person sharing
Open Enquire →
19 Sep 2026
Saturday
PTA → CPT Pretoria to Cape Town 2.5 days R 40,685
per person sharing
R 51,905
per person sharing
Limited Enquire →
16 Oct 2026
Friday
CPT → PTA Cape Town to Pretoria 2.5 days R 50,220
per person sharing
R 63,420
per person sharing
Open Enquire →
17 Oct 2026
Saturday
PTA → CPT Pretoria to Cape Town 2.5 days R 50,220
per person sharing
R 63,420
per person sharing
Open Enquire →
20 Nov 2026
Friday
CPT → PTA Cape Town to Pretoria 2.5 days R 50,220
per person sharing
R 63,420
per person sharing
Open Enquire →
21 Nov 2026
Saturday
PTA → CPT Pretoria to Cape Town 2.5 days R 50,220
per person sharing
R 63,420
per person sharing
Open Enquire →
Departure Date Route Journey Duration Deluxe Suite Luxury Suite Availability Action
07 Aug 2026
Friday
PTA → KNP Pretoria to Kruger Safari Incl. 2 days R 52,500
per person sharing
R 74,800
per person sharing
Limited Enquire →
04 Sep 2026
Friday
PTA → KNP Pretoria to Kruger Safari Incl. 2 days R 52,500
per person sharing
R 74,800
per person sharing
Open Enquire →
02 Oct 2026
Friday
PTA → KNP Pretoria to Kruger Safari Incl. 2 days R 55,800
per person sharing
R 79,500
per person sharing
Open Enquire →
06 Nov 2026
Friday
PTA → KNP Pretoria to Kruger Safari Incl. 2 days R 55,800
per person sharing
R 79,500
per person sharing
Open Enquire →
Departure Date Route Direction Duration From (pp sharing) Availability Action
10 Jul
Fri
KrugerPTA → KNP2 daysR 52,500OpenEnquire →
17 Jul
Fri
Cape TownCPT → PTA2.5 daysR 40,685OpenEnquire →
18 Jul
Sat
Cape TownPTA → CPT2.5 daysR 40,685OpenEnquire →
07 Aug
Fri
KrugerPTA → KNP2 daysR 52,500LimitedEnquire →
14 Aug
Fri
Cape TownCPT → PTA2.5 daysR 40,685LimitedEnquire →
15 Aug
Sat
Cape TownPTA → CPT2.5 daysR 40,685OpenEnquire →
04 Sep
Fri
KrugerPTA → KNP2 daysR 52,500OpenEnquire →
18 Sep
Fri
Cape TownCPT → PTA2.5 daysR 40,685OpenEnquire →
19 Sep
Sat
Cape TownPTA → CPT2.5 daysR 40,685LimitedEnquire →
02 Oct
Fri
KrugerPTA → KNP2 daysR 55,800OpenEnquire →
16 Oct
Fri
Cape TownCPT → PTA2.5 daysR 50,220OpenEnquire →
17 Oct
Sat
Cape TownPTA → CPT2.5 daysR 50,220OpenEnquire →
06 Nov
Fri
KrugerPTA → KNP2 daysR 55,800OpenEnquire →
20 Nov
Fri
Cape TownCPT → PTA2.5 daysR 50,220OpenEnquire →
21 Nov
Sat
Cape TownPTA → CPT2.5 daysR 50,220OpenEnquire →

Prices are per person sharing. Single supplement available on request. Confirm current rates with our team as prices are subject to change.

The Journeys

Two Iconic Routes

1,600km
Cape Town ↔ Pretoria
South Africa's Classic Rail Journey
Cape Town Matjiesfontein Kimberley Pretoria
  • Departs Friday from Cape Town, Saturday from Pretoria
  • 2.5-day journey through the Karoo desert, Hex River mountains, and beyond
  • Complimentary butler service and five-course dinner
  • Optional day trip: Pilanesberg National Park or wine lands
  • Kimberley stopover with Big Hole excursion
480km
Pretoria → Kruger
Wildlife & Wilderness Package
Pretoria Hoedspruit Kruger NP
  • Departs Fridays, monthly schedule — April through November
  • Guided Big Five safari included in the package price
  • Overnight in luxury lodge within the park
  • Morning and evening game drives in open vehicles
  • Extension packages to Victoria Falls & Botswana available
Accommodation

Suite Categories

🛏

Deluxe Suite

Transforms from a private lounge with plush seating and panoramic windows by day into a softly lit bedroom — twin beds with shower, or double bed with ¾ bath — by night.

4.16 m × 2 m

Luxury Suite

A full metre longer than the Deluxe suite and configurable in twin or double. Private daytime lounge with writing desk. Goose-down duvets and percale cotton bedding.

5.16 m × 2 m
🎛

Suite Amenities

Individually controlled air-conditioning, personal digital entertainment system with Blu-ray movies and music, complimentary Wi-Fi, in-suite telephone, and personal safe.

🤵

Butler Service

A dedicated personal butler is available around the clock — pressing your garments, drawing your bath, serving cocktails, or simply ensuring your every preference is met.

🍷

Fine Dining

The dining car seats 42 guests per sitting. Tables dressed in bone china, crystal glassware, and engraved silver cutlery. Menus feature Karoo lamb, Knysna oysters, and ostrich, paired with boutique South African wines.

🐆

Safari Extensions

Carefully curated by our team — choose from a Cape Town day safari, Pilanesberg National Park, or multi-night packages to Victoria Falls, Botswana, or Kruger National Park.

Curated Experiences

Journey Extensions

Cape Town Escape

Stay at the V&A Waterfront before or after your Blue Train departure. Easy access to Table Mountain, the Winelands, and the Cape Peninsula.

  • Hotel nights at the V&A Waterfront
  • Table Mountain cable car option
  • Winelands day tour
  • Airport transfers included
Enquire about this package →

Victoria Falls Adventure

A 2-night stay at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is ideal, combining the majesty of the Falls with luxury accommodation in Zimbabwe.

  • 2 nights at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
  • Falls guided tour
  • Sunset cruise on the Zambezi
  • Optional Chobe day trip
Enquire about this package →

Honeymoon Special

A romantic package with exclusive perks for couples, with a wide variety of add-ons before and after the Blue Train journey.

  • Luxury suite upgrade (subject to availability)
  • Complimentary champagne and flowers
  • Turndown rose-petal service
  • Private dinner setting on request
Enquire about this package →

Plan Your Journey Today

20 years of combining luxury trains with the finest safaris and hotels in southern Africa. Let us tailor your perfect itinerary.