In South Africa, you have a choice between two exceptional luxury train holidays: Rovos Rail and The Blue Train.
Both offer elegant cabins, fine dining, attentive service and spectacular views as the train travels through some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
But the experience is quite different.
Rovos Rail has a wonderfully nostalgic, old-world character, while The Blue Train feels more like a sleek five-star hotel travelling on rails.
Here’s a quick look at the differences to help you decide which luxury train journey is right for you.
The real question is not which train is more luxurious, but which one will give you the kind of journey you’ll still be talking about years later.
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Rovos Rail vs The Blue Train: My Booking Tip –Look carefully at the route and itinerary before choosing. The scenery, stops and time spent on board can make a bigger difference to your holiday than the small differences in the cabins. I would choose the journey that excites you most, then choose your train.
Stepping aboard The Blue Train feels like the beginning of a very special holiday.
Everything is polished and beautifully arranged, from the elegant suites to the attentive service, yet the real pleasure is simply settling into your seat and watching South Africa unfold outside the window.
There is something wonderfully relaxing about knowing you have nowhere else to be — just enjoy a good meal, look out at the changing landscape, and let the train carry you through the heart of the country.
It is luxury travel with a wonderful sense of occasion, and for a first luxury train journey in South Africa, it is hard not to feel a little excited when the train starts moving.
The level of calm.
I expected glamour and beautiful surroundings, but I was surprised by how relaxing the journey felt. Once the train gets moving, there is very little to do except sit back, enjoy the view and let someone else take care of everything.
The scenery is part of the luxury.
It is easy to think the luxury is all inside the train, but some of my favourite moments would be simply looking through the window as the South African landscape changes.
It feels like a proper occasion.
The dining, the beautifully dressed staff and the elegant interiors make even an ordinary evening feel special. I would recommend The Blue Train for a celebration, honeymoon or simply that once-in-a-lifetime trip you’ve been saving for.
Why I recommend it:
The Blue Train is a wonderful choice if you want luxury, comfort and a sense of occasion, with the added pleasure of seeing South Africa from a completely different perspective.
Rovos Rail has a different kind of magic.
The moment you step into one of its beautifully restored carriages, you feel as though the pace of travel has changed — everything becomes slower, quieter and more romantic.
Settle into your seat, watch the South African landscape roll past, and enjoy the pleasure of having time to simply look, chat, eat and take it all in. There is a wonderful sense of nostalgia here, but it never feels stuffy.
Rovos is about the joy of the journey itself, and that is what makes it so memorable.
How much I enjoyed slowing down.
I love trains, but Rovos reminded me that the best train journeys aren’t about getting somewhere quickly. There is something wonderful about having nowhere to rush to and simply watching the landscape unfold.
The old-fashioned atmosphere feels genuine.
The beautifully restored carriages aren’t just decoration. They create a wonderfully nostalgic feeling that makes you want to dress for dinner, linger over a meal and enjoy the journey.
The observation car became a favourite place.
I could easily have spent hours there, watching the scenery disappear behind the train and chatting to fellow travellers. For a train lover, this is a big part of the fun.
Why I recommend it:
I would choose Rovos Rail for the romance of the railway journey itself. It feels less like travelling in a luxury hotel and more like stepping into a beautiful, leisurely adventure where the journey really is the destination.
The amazing countryside of South Africa and Namibia makes for spectacular scenery. Combine that with a visit to places like Victoria Falls and seeing some wildlife, I think we have a winning combination.
Some of the tours they have available:
For information on the available tours, the train, and everything you need to book a fabulous tour, visit their website: link to the website
A luxurious train holiday is definitely an excellent idea for a wedding anniversary or maybe as a gift to the wedding couple.
| Rovos Rail | The Blue Train | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall feel | Classic, romantic, old-world | Sleek, polished, modern luxury |
| Best for | The journey and atmosphere | A luxurious hotel-on-wheels experience |
| Scenery | Excellent, with several different routes | Excellent, especially Pretoria–Cape Town |
| Train style | Vintage steam-era character | Elegant contemporary design |
| Dining | Formal, refined, traditional | Formal, refined, very polished |
| Excursions | Strong part of many journeys | Strong part of the experience |
| Atmosphere | Relaxed, nostalgic, intimate | Sophisticated and glamorous |
| My pick | ❤️ Rovos Rail for romance and character | 💙 Blue Train for modern luxury |
“If I had to choose just one, I’d take Rovos Rail. The Blue Train may feel more like a luxury hotel that happens to be travelling through South Africa; Rovos makes the railway journey itself the experience.” – Emma