CT-PE PREMIER CLASSE IS GREAT
Posted on 21 May 2009
[Letter in the Johannesburg Sunday Times, 10 May 2009)
“I read the letters last week bemoaning the lack of rail travel in South Africa, and would like to recommend the Premier Classe service which runs from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, Cape Town to Johannesburg and from Johannesburg to Durban.
“My husband and I did the 25-hour Cape Town to Port Elizabeth trip last week and it was fantastic. The meals were great, the service excellent and the compartments very comfortable. It is a hidden gem! After a five-course dinner and a few drinks, we returned to our compartment to find the seating turned into two very comfortable beds complete with white sheets, duvets and pillows.
“The scenery is stunning as the line goes through some mountain passes that are accessible only by rail. We paid R1,120 and that includes all meals, (dinner, breakfast and lunch) champagne on departure, tea, coffee and snacks.
“We are hoping to do the reverse journey — Port Elizabeth to Cape Town — later in the year so we can see the part of the journey we missed while sleeping. They have promotional fares at certain times. So, come on all you would-be rail travellers, let's support this service and maybe we will see more routes opening up in the future.” — Linda, by email
Related posts:
- PREMIER CLASSE CURTAILED
- S A TRAINS WERE GREAT – AND ALL ON TIME
- “GAUTRAIN HOTEL”
- CHRISTMAS TRAVEL 21 YEARS AGO
- A TRIP ON SHOSHOLOZA MEYL
I also did the trip from CPT to PE on the Premier Classe and it was amazing. Highly recommended!
Its just a pity that the train traverses the Outeniqua pass too early in the morning to take decent pictures. I am yet to do the trip in reverse, which may present different photo opportunities.