All aboard the Holiday Express! Take your family for a ride this holiday
These holidays take your whole family on a memorable train ride experience with one of the many options on offer by the Holiday Express.
Building on popular previous season the Holiday Express offers a full festive party train for everyone to enjoy with trips from Durban Station to Scottburgh station – from 26 to 31 December.
Alternatively, hop on to the newly added festive shopping train. Following the selling out of tickets for the December 18 trip another trip on December 17 has been added which takes passengers to the Shongweni Farmers’ Market including bus transport for the 3km trip from Shongweni Station to the market.
Taking the train down the coast or up into the hills will delight every member of your family, giving them the chance to experience the excitement of rail travel in the luxury of the train which has been kitted out for comfort. From the moment you arrive at the station, guests are more than just passengers.
The Holiday Express is all about the fun with an exclusive meet and greet at Premier Lounge at Durban Station exclusively for guests and including welcome entertainment and fun festive characters to assist with the registration process and offer the kids some goodies to get them ready to ride. After everyone has had a chance to mingle, the train conductor will escort guest to the train which will be waiting at a special private platform.
Like the Hogwarts Express, this train doesn’t just leave with any other trains…
On board it’s all about enjoying the one and a half hour journey in comfort. Adults can relax and enjoy the comfort of the luxury seating while the coastline passes them by in the through the window as they travel down the South Coast. Sit back and enjoy the journey along the South Coast.
Cold refreshments or a warm cup of coffee can be ordered and enjoyed while the conductor checks tickets and ensures everyone has a wonderful time, including the younger members of your family who will be entertained with fantasy games and activities along the way.
On Boxing day, Msizi James from East Coast Radio will be crossing live from The Holiday Express so if you want to be part of that fun, make sure you book your ticket for that day.
Once you arrive at Scottburgh there are a host of options you can enjoy. Take a picnic to enjoy on the beach in Scottburgh, or enjoy one of the local restaurants. Lunch and activity suggestions are not included in the deal so check online which restaurants you might want to visit and make a lunch time booking or pack a picnic to enjoy on the local swimming beach with loads of attractions where you can enjoy a swim in the sea or take a paddle boat tip up the lagoon. Optional local restaurant and hotels for lunch time bookings include Blue Marlin, Cutty Sark Hotel, C Breeze, Enzo Pizzeria, Mozam prawn shack and Nellos.
The newly added route from Durban to Shongweni Farmers Market is running only on 17 and 18 December. For this trip the train leaves Durban at 9.30am returning at 3.30pm. While there will not be refreshments or snacks provided on the train, guests are encouraged to take their own to enjoy as the train winds its way.
The route goes through two tunnels and allows the opportunity to see two waterfalls, where it will stop for photo opportunities, so make sure you have your mobile phone battery fully charged and have enough airtime to be able to post selfies to Instagram and Facebook to give your friends a big dose of FOMO.
On arrival at the Shongweni Station, bus transport will be provided for guests to the market – it is a short 3km trip. The bus will leave the Shongweni Market at 2pm to head back to the station for the 2.30pm departure.
Tickets for this train cost R200 per person and kids under three years travel free when sitting with parents.
Train trip to Scottburgh and back. 9am Arrival at Durban Premier Business Lounge, 10am Departure for Scottburgh, 11.30 Arrival Scottburgh, 3pm Departure to Durban.
Tickets are subject to availability and book out fast. To book Whatsapp Angela on 082 730 4917, e-mail bookings@theholidayexpress.co.za or visit www.theholidayexpress.co.za.
* Pictures displayed are only a representation.
