Took the train from Jo’burg to Cape Town and back as part of our recent honeymoon and were very impressed. I’ve never experienced luxury train travel before (coming from the UK!) but I can’t imagine what the Blue Train could offer you that the Premier Classe didn’t – comfortable and relatively spacious cabins, excellent food and very reasonably priced drinks.... more

Took the Premier Classe train from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. 24 hours journey - actually took 28 hours, however, we were so glad it did as we saw the spectacular scenery we would have missed during the early hours of the morning. We will be using this service again on the other routes it services in South Africa. On... more

We took train from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit. Booking from abroad was a bit difficult. There is no electronic booking and it seems to employ a very limited staff on normal office hours so it's phone or fax. In the end I had to scan in my credit card and e-mail it. My bank refuses to authorise any transactions within south... more

We took the premier classe train from J'Burg to Cape Town as a way to see the country and experience a comfortable train ride without the extreme cost of Rovos or Blue Train. While I am certain Premier Classe is not up to those standards, they still provide a great experience at a great price. The trains are perfectly safe.... more

Booking system is woefull. Although the call operators are friendly enough, they really need to up the standard. No electronic booking is available. No confirmation of bookings either in hard copy or electronically leaves one uncomfortable, Johannesburg station is located in a fairly dodgy area and I felt a littel unsafe getting to the Premier Classe lounge. There is a... more

I was expecting a luxurious journey on a nice train, but didn't get either of these. We took the train from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and the best part of the route has to be the bit along the coast near to George, but unfortunately, you pass through there in the middle of the night when it is dark,... more

Coffee and muffins in the Premier Classe Lounge at Capetown station preceded boarding this remarkable train for our overnight journey to Johannesburg, 1402 miles north. During the next 26 hours we experienced an adventure that must be publicised more widely both to general travelers and train buffs. Soon after departure we were asked to gather in the lounge for a... more

South Africa's Premier Classe Train is a hidden gem. In Feb 2009 we took a 25 hr overnight trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg. An amazing way to see this diverse country. Scenery was enthralling. Clean, good service, meals were wonderful. Sunset over The Great Karoo with a glass or two of SA Sauvingnon Blanc. I had never slept in... more