2. The Blue Train: The Presidential Ride

Once known as the travel choice of kings and presidents, the Blue Train offers a glamorous 2-night journey from Pretoria to Cape Town, passing through diamond-mining towns and semi-desert Karoo.

🌟 Unique Feature: Personal butlers and en-suite luxury baths onboard—yes, a full bathtub on a train!

🥂 For Vegetarians: The kitchen caters to Jain, vegan, and custom Indian meals with prior notice.

🧭 Cultural Stop: The train halts at Kimberley, where you can explore the Big Hole—the largest hand-dug diamond mine in the world.

3. The Shosholoza Meyl: A Local Experience With a View

For travelers seeking a budget-friendly and authentic journey, the Shosholoza Meyl is South Africa’s long-distance passenger train connecting cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth.

🛤️ What It Offers:

👉 Sleeper cabins and lounge cars

👉 A chance to interact with locals and learn stories of the land

👉 Massive windows showcasing rural villages, mountains, and coastliness

📸 Best Route: Johannesburg to Cape Town (26 hours) – a slower but soulful journey through the heart of the country.

4. The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe: The Coastal Steam Train (Temporarily Suspended – But Worth Watching For)

Though not currently operational, this historic steam train from George to Knysna in the Garden Route is a beloved part of South Africa’s rail heritage. Plans for revival are in the works!

🌊 Why It’s Legendary:

👉 Hugging the coastline with views of cliffs, forests, and the Indian Ocean

👉 Perfect for photography, nostalgia, and nature lovers

📍 Tip: Even while waiting for its return, you can visit the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George to see the original engines and carriages.

4. The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe: The Coastal Steam Train (Temporarily Suspended – But Worth Watching For)

👉 Though not currently operational, this historic steam train from George to Knysna in the Garden Route is a beloved part of South Africa’s rail heritage. Plans for revival are in the works!

🌊 Why It’s Legendary:

👉 Hugging the coastline with views of cliffs, forests, and the Indian Ocean

👉 Perfect for photography, nostalgia, and nature lovers

👉📍 Tip: Even while waiting for its return, you can visit the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George to see the original engines and carriages.

5. Cape Town’s Wine Tram – Sip & Ride in Franschhoek

👉This isn't your typical train—it's a vintage hop-on hop-off wine tram through one of the most scenic wine valleys in the world.

🍇 How It Works:

👉 Board in Franschhoek and travel through vineyards, tasting world-class wines

👉 Trams are styled like open-sided 1920s coaches

👉 Many estates offer vegetarian and vegan cheese platters, olive tastings, and fresh farm produce

🧀 Best For: Couples, friends, and slow travelers who love nature, food, and of course—wine.

Planning a Vegetarian Journey by Train? We’ve Got You Covered.

👉 While meat-heavy cuisine is common in South Africa, most trains—especially luxury and tourism-oriented ones—offer pure vegetarian or vegan menus if requested in advance.

🥦 Top Vegetarian Rail-friendly Tips:

👉 On Rovos & Blue Train, request meals during booking for Jain or Indian veg options

Shosholoza Meyl offers basic veg platters, but it’s best to carry your own snacks for long journeys

Franschhoek Wine Tram includes vegan-friendly wineries—just ask our team to book the right route!

When to Go:

🚉 Best Time for Rail Journeys in South Africa:

👉 Spring (September–November): Green landscapes, wildflowers, and cool weather

👉 Franschhoek Wine Tram includes vegan-friendly wineries—just ask our team to book the right route!

Final Words:

👉 In South Africa, the journey is the destination. From the thundering wheels of the Rovos Rail to the scenic tracks of the Wine Tram, these train experiences reveal the soul of the country—its people, its past, and its incredible natural beauty. With Plan My Tour, we don’t just take you there. We take you through it—all aboard for an unforgettable ride.

🚆 Let’s plan your South African rail adventure, from Cape to Cradle. 🚆