A new two-night journey on The Blue Train has been announced for 2019, with the company saying the longer program provides “major benefits” for guests.
Operating from Cape Town to Pretoria (and in reverse) in South Africa, the 39-hour journey will see the locomotive depart in the afternoon of the first day from Cape Town and in the evening on the first day from Pretoria, enabling guests to enjoy the Western Cape.
The Blue Train will travel at a speed of 60km/hr overnight which provides a “smooth ride and peaceful sleep”.
View the new longer schedules by clicking on the timetables.
More time has been included to maintain its running schedule and to retain its commitment to the Kimberly diamond mine off-train excursion, along with the arrival times at the end destinations. Guests travelling from Pretoria or from Cape Town will be able to experience a guaranteed 2.5 hour excursion period in the Kimberly.
The operator says the longer schedule will also have limited delays as The Blue Train will be departing during off-peak hours, outside the hours of other local goods and passenger trains.
Guests will also be able to check-in at any time during the day for the afternoon/evening departures after spending their day at leisure, with passengers able to store their luggage with the company.
The Blue Train dress code will remain smart casual during the day, and formal for dinner, with men requested to wear a jacket or waistcoat, but no tie, and ladies elegant attire.
The two-night trip will see The Blue Train’s current value-add free night’s accommodation pre or post journey no longer offered in 2019.
For more details, see thebluetrain.co.za.