The Blue Train company says there are many benefits of extending this luxury rail experience by making it slower and more relaxing – it’s also in good stead with the international trend of slow travel to enjoy the experience better.
Guests will be able to begin their journey on the same day as their flight lands in SA, since the train will depart in the evening at 18h30 from Pretoria, and in the late afternoon from Cape Town at 16h00 – so they no longer HAVE to book a hotel the night before – and there will be no more early morning wake-up calls to make their way through the traffic for the previous station check-in time of 07h30.
Delays will also be unlikely going forward as the trains will depart and arrive during off-peak hours so that no clashes occur with other commuter or freight trains. Guests can also book flights or make other forward arrangements after the train journey in either Pretoria or Cape Town, as both trains arrive at 10h30.
Furthermore, guests can enjoy day tours in either Pretoria or Cape Town before departure.
Both northbound and southbound departures will have a guaranteed extended 2.5 hour off-the-train excursion in Kimberley at the famous diamond mine’s “big hole” and museum giving them more time to linger.
Rates start at R18 405pp (about £1,067) for the 40 hours of fully-inclusive wining, dining and a butler-service.
