South Africa

The Blue Train

Pretoria → Cape Town

The Blue Train crosses the long horizons of the Karoo between Gauteng and the Western Cape.Photo: 2010 World Cup — Shine 2010 · CC BY 2.0

Duration: Approx. 3 days / 2 nights
Distance: 1626.9 km
Train: Luxury sleeper train
Reservation: Required

A two-night passage from Gauteng through Kimberley and the immense Karoo to the mountains, vineyards, and city bowl of Cape Town.

Compare Plan

Seat view guide

Best Side to Sit

Pretoria → Cape Town

Overall recommendation

Both sides

The strongest supported views are shared across both sides.

It changes along the way

Highveld0–650 km · Limited dataBoth sides
Kimberley650–1430 km · Limited dataBoth sides
Hex River mountain country1430–1627 km · Limited dataVaries

Some sections are early guidance based on limited reports.

Explore the route

Interactive Route Map

Pan and zoom to explore

Preparing the route

From Pretoria to Cape Town, via Johannesburg, Klerksdorp, Kimberley, De Aar, Beaufort West, Matjiesfontein.

Scenic journey timeline

Along the Journey

A calm guide to the moments worth looking up for, arranged from Pretoria to Cape Town.

Departure · 0 km · 0 minPretoria
Arrival · 1627 km · 54 hrCape Town

Look out for

Journey Highlights

Journey overview

What to Expect

Reservations: Required for this journey.
Train: Luxury sleeper train
Operated by: The Blue Train

Plan the journey

Practical Information

Current journey: Departure station, operating dates, excursion program, and total duration can change. Check The Blue Train for the selected departure.Check current operator information
On board: This is a multi-night luxury sleeper with private accommodation and dining; inclusions depend on the confirmed journey.
Reservations: Advance reservation is required. Rallii does not publish fares, availability, or guarantee dates.Check current operator information
Daylight: Not every section is visible in daylight. Direction, season, and operating conditions materially affect the experience.Check current operator information

Plan this journey Find stays Rail Gear →

Continue the story

Related journeys

Browse all journeys →

Australia

The Ghan

Adelaide → Darwin

Another defining luxury sleeper across an immense interior

Desert · Rivers · Mountain Valleys

Canada

The Canadian

Toronto → Vancouver

A contrasting multi-night crossing on another continent

Forest · Lakes · Rivers

Keep exploring

Multi-Day Journeys Great Rail Crossings South Africa journeys More desert journeys

Compare with The Ghan

Route & data sources

Operator informationThe Blue Train — regular routes
Official route identity, heritage, and current operating context.
Scenic contextSouth African Tourism — The Blue Train
National destination context.
Infrastructure informationSouth African NGI railway infrastructure
Prepared with the Johannesburg–Cape Town OSM relation and national NGI/HOT railway geometry; 11,145 coordinates.