Premier Classe - Johannesburg to Cape Town

Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum

Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Sealink

Service Attendant
Joined
Apr 10, 2008
Messages
149
Location
Crystal Palace, London
In two parts due to posting limits.

PART ONE

After arriving in a sunny Johnanneburg, I had one day with my friend before catching the train to Cape Town.

Oh the howls of disbelief from my South African friends in the UK and there, when they heard my news. "It's too dangerous! Why aren't you flying? Are you sure?" was the refrain.

Thanks to the superb information on Seat 61 I was more than reassured by the safety of the trip I was making.

I'll admit, it was with a certain trepidation that I approached Johannesburg station. The area around train stations in any country can sometimes be dodgy (think Kings Cross in times past) but Johannesburg does come with a reputation.

Lugging my two suitcases from my friends car, I was clearly signposted as a tourist, and indeed we were approached by a beggar. My friend told him to go away, politely, and he did.

The station itself reminded me of a shopping centre, but with a handful of shops - quite modern and tidy.

I walked down the escalator which was out of order and found the Premier Classe lounge and 'check-in'. My two suitcases were labelled and I was invited to sit down for a hot or cold drink and a snack while waiting for boarding.
The lounge was more like a waiting room, but away from the main station so much more private. By this time my excitement level was off the scale! A 25 hour rail journey about to commence!!!!

The train manager introduced himself and announced that boarding would start at 2.30pm. It was a short walk down to the platform and there was our train! Painted purple!

5253787883_658cc0b325.jpg


I was invited to join everyone in the dining car at 2.55pm for welcome drinks, so in the meantime I went to my cabin.

5253776209_d4ea01d292.jpg


5253729077_3ba8344f88.jpg

Four fluffy pillows - check!
Bottled water - check!
Newspaper - check!
Itinerary - check!
Telephone - check!

5253729345_b1b8946716.jpg


5253730463_e11f790e1a.jpg


Toiletries - check!
Towels - check!
Slippers - check!
Bathrobes - check!

The seats were very comfortable - and of course, the price is for the whole cabin.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
PART TWO

One thing to note is that the showers and loo were at the end of the cabin. Now, they were spotless. A lockable door, naturally. The shower had a changing area and then you walked through a frosted glass door to the shower room itself. Fantastic water pressure and spotless.

The toilet was very clean too - and the room always smelt fresh. Virgin Trains take note!!

This was the main dining room for our section of the train.
5253729617_359e32dc31.jpg

Again, very comfortable seating, this is the tables before they were made up for dining.

After some sparkling wine, and an introduction to the onboard staff, (I decided to book a treatment in the onboard 'spa') we had coffee and cake! I met some of my fellow travellers and enjoyed a drink as the train lazily snaked through the 'suburbs' of Johannesburg.

5254341466_85cb88ea72.jpg


Our host then asked if we were happy to dine in our groups, which was fine. My fellow traveller was a young man who worked in a goldmine, loved travelling, and hadn't told his parents he was onboard because they would complain he was wasting money... (I'll tell you the price at the end).

I then decided to take a walk through the train.
This was the bar
5253748129_93a6dc4216.jpg


5254346558_a19104346c.jpg


I went back to my cabin and rested. It had been a long afternoon! :D

I went to the carriage that had been converted to a treatment room and had a rather uncomfortable massage - I was more delicate than I thought and the first ten minutes were painful... but the masseuse was friendly and we chatted away.

Dinner Is Served
At 7pm I found my table, and my new friend, and sat down for dinner. We had a table for four, made up for two, so very spacious.

This was the menu
5253735807_08be269760.jpg

Kingklip is delicious! As a rule, I don't go for fish, but I was on holiday and my goodness I am glad I tried it!

The other courses were very tasty too - served with a smile! I took some pictures but to be honest they didn't come out very well and that wasn't because my dining partner wouldn't share the bottle of wine I ordered. Or anything.

I then went to the bar where I discovered that payment for drinks was made at the end of the trip - very civilised! Drinks were cheap. A bottle of wine with dinner, (a good South African wine too) was about £5.00. I had to do a double take at the prices. And watch my drinking!

Onwards into the night our train travelled...
5253731241_3949e5f9ca.jpg

5254342196_acc14b6d2d.jpg


I headed back to my cabin to discover that it had been made up for turn down. :D
5253750251_38b6d9d307.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
PART THREE

Next morning, having arranged my wake up call the night before, I opted for an early morning one, and watched the erm, scenery go by.
This part of South Africa, the Karoo Desert was cold and rather bleak, however the sunshine took the edge of both at this time of the morning.
5253755119_cd739f7483.jpg


5253756505_e6762f3761.jpg


5253760197_d2cb0ca83d.jpg


Soon, it was breakfast time, and a fully cooked breakfast was offered - as well as pastries, cereals, yogurts, the lot!

The scenery improved as we got closer to Cape Town, as vineyards and orchards came into view.

5253763547_9f8b547b30.jpg


5254373614_1210a3428e.jpg
 
PART TWO

Back to the bar, for some pre lunch drinks, then back to my cabin for a snooze.

Some of the tables were already being set up for lunch.
5254377216_a33504ee0e.jpg


Lunch was a four course affair, and as usual, the tables were set up with fresh flowers and crisp linen. That's Doctor Who Magazine in case you're wondering...
5254381322_115a8813c1.jpg


5253771057_5188ec1444_m.jpg


Before long, Table Mountain came into view, and we were approaching journeys end.
5254397062_c566beed83.jpg


There were also some reminders of the extremes in living standards that exists in South Africa.
5254393386_9c290b8fea.jpg


There was a small meet and greet lounge in Cape Town, where I waited to be collected by a friend I hadn't seen in over five years!

5254399366_c009d8d6c8.jpg


Cape Town station was stunning and I had a wander around.

5253789217_815267b9b2.jpg


And that was Premier Classe from Johannesburg Station. Some of my fellow passengers commented that they had been on Rovos Rail and The Blue Train, but preferred the informal atmosphere on the Premier Classe service.

I would definitely do it again, and I think incorporate it into my next trip to South Africa.

The cost?
- Travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town
- Sole use of a double occupancy cabin
- Coffee and cake
- Five course dinner
- Full breakfast
- Four course lunch
- Welcome drinks in lounge

How does £171 sound? (Full fare!) (US $255.00 at today's exchange rate)

I think its the best value travel I have ever experienced.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[SIZE=14.399999618530273px] [/SIZE]

How does £171 sound? (Full fare!) (US $255.00 at today's exchange rate)

I think its the best value travel I have ever experienced.
Very nice trip report and pictures. Thanks.

As to the cost: WOW! Good deal alright.
 
If we ever found ourselves capable of spending the serious funds to get to South Africa, then this would be an absolute MUST to experience.
 
Fantastic, what a Deal!!! :cool: Thanks for Posting and the Great Pics! Makes VIAs' Canadian and Amtraks' Coast Starlight seem like a Night Mail Train in Comparison! If I ever get to South Africa this will Definitely be on the Bucket List! :wub:
 
Really enjoyed your report! Thanks for sharing with us.
 
Nice trip and great report & photos.

I have traveled to Joe-burg several times, but never

had time to take the Blue Train to Capetown.

Maybe in the future.

Thanks,
 
Alright, I had to look up what the "Blue Train" was... And OMG!!

Here's a "Standard" accommodation aboard:

800px-Blue_Train_bedroom.jpg


And never-mind having your own toilet/shower combo en-suite... You get your own friggen' hotel-style bathroom!

520px-Blue_Train_suite_bathroom.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top