I’ve taken The Blue Train across South Africa twice, once in each direction, and each trip felt different. My first journey began in Pretoria. I still remember walking into the city’s historic railway station as the morning light touched its old-world arches. Soon after, the train carried me toward Cape Town and through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

What I loved most were the small luxuries of each day: the beautifully plated brunches, the pleasure of dressing for dinner as the sky turned gold, and the quiet time spent in the viewing carriage at the back of the train. From that calm space, South Africa opened up in wide plains, distant mountains, and a sense of peace that seemed to travel with us all the way to the coast.

TAKING THE BLUE TRAIN FROM PRETORIA TO CAPETOWN

On the morning of our departure, we left our Johannesburg hotel before sunrise and drove toward Pretoria, where The Blue Train would begin its journey to Cape Town. Pretoria Station, with its nostalgic architecture and sense of quiet ceremony, felt like the perfect place to begin an iconic rail adventure.

Though Johannesburg and Cape Town are separated by nearly 1,600 kilometers—a distance easily crossed in under two hours by air—the train offers something entirely different. Instead of rushing between cities, you surrender to a slower rhythm, watching the landscape shift hour by hour. Thus, we let the journey itself become the destination.

ALL ABOUT THE BLUE TRAIN JOURNEY

The journey on The Blue Train takes a little over 30 hours. It follows a remarkable route from Pretoria to Cape Town, crossing the wide, untouched landscapes of the Northern Cape. This is slow travel at its best—unhurried, rich in detail, and made to be savored.

In a world where everything moves quickly, the train invites you to slow down. Days unfold gently. You chat with other passengers in the lounge, meet people you wouldn’t have met otherwise, and spend long stretches simply watching South Africa pass by your window. The rhythm feels almost nostalgic, like stepping into an older and more graceful way of traveling.

As the hours go by, the country reveals itself in open plains, small koppies, and scenes you don’t forget. It became one of the most enjoyable ways I’ve seen South Africa, and a journey I still think about often.

I’ve taken several luxury trains over the years, so I know the charm—and the limits—of vintage rail travel. These carriages will never feel as large as a hotel suite. But the best ones still create a sense of comfort and ease.

The Blue Train is one of those rare examples. The compartments feel warm and refined, with classic details and gentle modern touches. Soft lighting, polished wood, and well-chosen accents make the space instantly welcoming. And everything is placed with care. It remains one of the most comfortable luxury trains I’ve ever experienced.

RIDING THE BLUE TRAIN

The cabins are surprisingly generous in size. The beds feel almost cloudlike after a day spent watching the scenery roll by. The ensuite bathrooms are also large for a train—impressively so—and the layout feels indulgent. For anyone used to the tight quarters of traditional rail travel, the space can seem almost decadent.

Another pleasure of The Blue Train is the company you meet along the way. Many guests are seasoned travelers who have crossed continents and collected stories. They choose this train because they still value the romance of the journey. Conversations flow easily over tea, in the lounge, or while admiring the changing landscape. And the mix of personalities becomes part of the adventure.

We met so many wonderful people on this journey. On our very first evening, we were seated next to a British couple entirely by chance. Within minutes, conversation flowed as if we’d known each other for years. We enjoyed their company so much that, without even discussing it, we began arranging to share every meal together. It became one of those effortless travel friendships that feel like part of the magic of the trip.

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BRUNCH ONBOARD THE BLUE TRAIN

Brunch on that first day set the tone for the journey. As the train glided out of Pretoria and curved past Johannesburg, the landscape slowly opening into the spacious light of the Northern Cape, we settled into our seats for a leisurely meal.

The staff began by pouring a chilled glass of pink champagne, a small but sparkling reminder that life aboard The Blue Train moves to its own luxurious rhythm. It felt like the perfect way to ease into the day—and into another chapter of living a #Travelife.

Because it was brunch, guests were invited to enjoy pastries and fresh fruit before the main courses began. Within the compact space of the dining carriage, the staff had created a beautifully arranged buffet along one side of the train—a thoughtful spread of flaky croissants, seasonal fruit, and small indulgences that felt wonderfully civilized.

BRUNCH BEGINS WITH CHAMPAGNE

After a glass of pink champagne, passengers drifted over to help themselves, taking what they liked as the scenery slipped quietly past the windows.

For the appetizer, several dishes were on offer, but almost everyone at our table gravitated toward the smoked salmon. It was light, beautifully prepared, and the perfect beginning to a long, leisurely brunch—almost a promise that the rest of the meal would be just as good.

When the main course arrived, most passengers chose the heartier options: a tender rack of lamb or even grilled springbok, which added a touch of South African flair to the menu. I went in a different direction.

After days of wonderfully heavy meals in Johannesburg, I asked the chef for a generous salad with extra smoked salmon on the side. It was exactly what I needed—fresh, simple, and satisfying without being overwhelming.

Dessert was just as lovely. It always amazes me how a full multi-course meal, plated so beautifully, can come out of a kitchen no larger than a restaurant’s storage cabinet—especially while the train is in motion. Yet everything arrived on fine porcelain, with polished silverware laid out as if we were dining in a grand hotel rather than rolling through the Northern Cape.

It spoke volumes about the chef’s skill and precision. Watching the plates appear, one by one, it was easy to forget how limited the space was behind the scenes.

MEALS ONBOARD A LUXURY TRAIN

We enjoyed our conversations with the British couple so much that meals naturally stretched into long, unhurried affairs. While other tables finished and drifted back to their cabins, we stayed on, savoring each course and the easy rhythm of good company. Every meal lasted for hours, and none of us minded in the least. It felt like part of the pleasure of being on The Blue Train—nowhere to rush to, nothing to interrupt the moment.

We often spent almost three hours in the restaurant car, three times a day. There was simply a lot to enjoy—good food, thoughtful service, and excellent South African wines. All of it made even better by the scenery slowly changing outside the windows as we crossed the country.

By the time we reached Cape Town, I understood why The Blue Train is so loved. It moves slowly, but that pace is part of its charm. You’re not just getting from one city to another—you’re watching South Africa unfold in real time.

The cabins are comfortable, the service is warm, and the meals turn into long conversations with people you’ve only just met. And somewhere along the way, the train becomes more than a journey. It becomes a memory you know you’ll keep.

If you want to see South Africa without rushing, The Blue Train is one of the most enjoyable ways to do it. You simply sit back, look out the window, and let the country reveal itself.

Read more articles about traveling by luxury train in Travelife Magazine

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Last week, I got on the Trans Siberian Railway train from Vladivostok to Moscow after an amazing week in the Russian Republic of Buryatia in Siberia. The capital of Buryatia is Ulan Ude, and it is about three hours away by car from Lake Baikal.

This train is on the bucket list of many adventure travelers because it travels between Moscow and the Russian Far East, Mongolia and China. The destinations along these routes are some of the most exotic places in the world. The stops include Ulan-Ude and Irkutsk, two major cities around Lake Baikal.

VISITING LAKE BAIKAL

On its way to Irkutsk from Ulan Ude, the Trans Siberian Railway train goes along the shores of Lake Baikal, the deepest lake and oldest lake in the world. This train ride is on the bucket list of most adventure travellers as it really passes through some of the most exotic scenery in the world.

Although not quite as glamorous as the Orient Express or the Blue Train of South Africa, this train experience is highly recommended.

1st CLASS ON THE TRANS SIBERIAN RAILWAY

The 1st class carriage of the train is spartan but spotless. It’s very comfortable for enjoying the most amazing views of Siberia. Most of the train staff do not speak English but foreign passengers somehow manage to communicate.

I traveled solo and long distance on this no-English train but I had no problems ordering lunch, asking for tea, or checking the arrival times of the train. Sometimes the train was late so it was good to double check.

THE SLEEPING CAR

Space-wise, the private compartments in the 1st class carriage have just enough space for two narrow beds and standing room in the middle. The beds are comfortable enough so I got to catch up on sleep. There’s a thin blanket, a thick blanket and a really fluffy pillow.

The windows of the private compartments only open at the top so it’s very nice to travel on this train during the cool season as you can keep the window slot open.

FOOD ON THE TRANS SIBERIAN RAILWAY

Passengers who book train tickets with meals will be served by the train staff. The food is not gourmet quality but then passengers on this train sign up for an adventure and not a luxury holiday anyway.

I would liken it to the economy class meals on an airplane. For lunch, for example, I had a plate of smoked fish as an appetiser and then beef stroganoff with potatoes as a main course. The beef stroganoff tasted like it came out of a microwave, but it was edible and tasty enough.

I also got a bar of Russian chocolate, a bottle of water and a bottle of tomato juice to accompany lunch. There were other drinks and coffee tea were also being served for an extra fee. A cup of black tea on the Trans Siberian Railway, for example, cost me an extra 50 rubles.

The 1st class carriage also had a hot water dispenser at one end so you can actually bring your own herbal tea assortment for the trip, especially as Siberia is so famous for its healthy herbal teas.

READ ABOUT THE BEST NEW HOTEL IN SPAIN

CLEANLINESS OF THE TRAINS

Finally, a word about the cleanliness of the Trans Siberian Railway trains. Everything was pretty old and used but spotlessly clean. My private compartment passed my squeamish test, and the two bathrooms at the end of the carriage were also decent.

If you’re lucky, as I was, you will get a carriage with very few passengers. This makes for peace and quiet, and also cleaner bathrooms in general.

Time passed very quickly on this train, enjoying the views from the window, taking naps, having meals and just getting some time for myself to think about Travel & Life.

If this experience has been on your bucket list, go for it. It truly is one of the great train rides of the world.

Read more about the great train rides of the world in Travelife Magazine.

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