Why is the Blue Train famous?
The Blue Train is one of the world’s great luxury trains, running 994 miles between Pretoria and Cape Town. The train boasts many famous passengers, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Margaret Thatcher. When Owen Hardy rode The Blue Train in 1998, he raved about the chef.
What is special about the Blue Train?
The Blue Train SA Special offer is a discounted rate, valid to any person who resides on the Africa Continent. These fares can be booked on departures between Pretoria and Cape Town from now until the end of December 2021.
What do you wear on the Blue Train in South Africa?
Dress Code : The stylish luxury of The Blue Train is conducive to dressing up for dinner. Evening wear is elegant for ladies and gentlemen are required to wear jacket and tie. For other meals, dress is casual.
How expensive is the Blue Train?
The Blue Train, Cape Town to Pretoria… A world-famous luxury train from Cape Town to Pretoria once or twice a week. It costs from 10,120 Rand (£895 or $1,300) one-way including meals, wine and even cigars.
Are kids allowed on the Blue Train?
Children are allowed on board. Children aged 2 years and younger are to share a suite with parents or a responsible adult. No special meal menus are available for children. A strict Children Policy is applicable and must be signed by parents or guardians prior to boarding.
Who is the owner of the Blue Train?
Luxrail
Shosholoza Meyl, the long-distance train division of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, operates trains on the same Pretoria to Cape Town route. One train per day runs in each direction, but this not a ‘luxury’ service. As of 2009, the Blue Train is operated by Luxrail, a division of Transnet Freight Rail.
What should I wear on a Blue Train?
What is the dress code? In keeping with tradition, it is a compulsory custom to dress formally for dinner in keeping with the elegance of the Blue Train. Evening wear is elegant and gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie or traditional attire. During the day, dress is smart casual.
Is there a Blue Train in Cape Town?
There are two Blue Train sets – simply referred to as Train Set 1 and Train Set 2. The former can accommodate a maximum of 54 guests and is available for use during charters. Train Set 2 is the weekly “schedule” train running between Pretoria and Cape Town.
Is there a SA resident discount on the Blue Train?
– South African residency discount. NOTE: Train promotions cannot be combined, except with the Club, SA resident and child fare discounts. The 2-night journey on the Blue Train between Pretoria and Cape Town fits naturally into your touring plans for South Africa.
Why was the Blue Train important to Africa?
For the Empire-builders of old, the uncharted African interior was the landscape of a dream in the making. A dream that would etch its course in parallel lines that snaked their way northward from the Atlantic shoreline, conquering the distance from Cape Town to Cairo.
Where did the Blue Train get its name?
The service is promoted as a “magnificent moving five-star hotel ” by its operators, who note that kings and presidents have travelled on it. The Blue Train ‘s origins date back to 1923, when the Union Express commenced between Johannesburg and Cape Town, it was named the Union Limited in the reverse direction.