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Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Prices

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express prices

Explore the latest Venice Simplon-Orient-Express prices for all journeys available across Europe. Sister train to the original Orient Express, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is one of the most luxurious trains in the world and the closest you can get to riding the legendary train famous for being featured in many novels and films. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express prices start from £2,920/$3,600/€3,450 per person for a Twin Cabin, and £8,400/$10,350/€9,800 per person for a Grand Suite. The price includes all meals onboard, usually consisting of a four-course dinner, continental breakfast and three-course brunch or lunch, steward service and champagne reception on arrival. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express prices below are per person based on two sharing a cabin. There is an additional charge for single occupancy of any cabin. Please note that prices do fluctuate with demand and as the train becomes closer to being fully-booked. Any of these journeys can be booked with a 25% deposit , for more information please contact us .

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Sister to the famous Orient Express, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is one of the most luxurious trains in the world. Made up of 17 authentic and beautifully restored 1920s carriages, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express takes passengers back to the Golden Age of Travel, when luxury train journeys were at their most popular and favoured by the wealthy. During the 1920s there were actually three trains making up the Orient Express service. The Orient Express as everyone knows from novels and films, the Alberg Orient Express and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Taking a different Orient Express Route to the more famous 'Orient Express', the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express headed south from from Paris to Venice via the Simplon Tunnel. Today the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the closest anyone can get to experiencing what the epitome of luxury train travel is like. Offering a wealth of journeys across Europe, including a once-a-year special journey from Paris to Istanbul following the famous cross-continental route the original Orient Express took, a journey onboard the VSOE is one that will leave lasting memories as you experience the very best of luxury rail travel.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Cabins

The Venice Simplon Orient Express Cabins are available in three different sizes: Twin Cabins, Cabin Suites and Grand Suites . A Twin Cabin is converted from a cosy lounge during the day to a bedroom at night by the stewards while you are at dinner, while the other two are large enough to include a separate sleeping area to the lounge. A Twin Cabin is only available with bunks, however many passengers opt to explore the train during the day and simply using their cabin to store luggage and to sleep. A Cabin Suite is twice the size of a Twin Cabin and is essentially made up of two interconnecting Twin Cabins; one with space for sleeping and the other as a lounge. The Grand Suites are much larger and much more ornate. There are only six Grand Suites onboard, however each is named after a destination the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express visits and each has it's own unique décor. Grand Suites also benefit from having their own en-suites as well as dedicated steward and free-flowing champagne. There are a limited number of single cabins available only by request. Passengers are able to choose sole occupancy of any cabin type at additional expense.

Grand Suites

Double Suites

Twin Suites

Historic Cabins

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Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Prices 2024 & 2025

Embark on a journey of unparalleled luxury and romance aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express - where every moment is a timeless tale of relaxation and elegance. See below for fares for 2024 and 2025.

› › Grand Suites with en-suite facilities ‹ ‹

› › suites with en-suite facilities ‹ ‹.

Prices are per person and based on two people sharing a cabin.

These prices are meant as a guide to Orient Express fares. Actual prices can vary depending on season and availability.

As cabins are booked up and there is less availability, fares will increase , so make your reservation early to get the best fare.

Please call our reservations team on 0333 405 0192 for up-to-date fares .

Accommodation on Board

VSOE Destinations

Venice simplon-orient-express train fares : march - november 2024 & 2025.

* Paris to London and vice versa is by Eurostar .

Prices : are per person and based on twin occupancy of a twin cabin. These prices are meant as a guide to fares. Actual prices can vary depending on season and availability. Single occupancy of a twin cabin prices available on request. If a fare is not shown on the table above, please call and we may be able to quote a fare for your journey.

Please also see 'Accommodation' .

Please also see ' Venice Simplon-Orient-Express '.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Information

Since the inception of the Orient Express service in 1883 from Paris, France to Istanbul, Turkey, this exclusive mode of transport has been considered the utmost in luxury train travel. Film stars, royalty, spies, aristocrats, and writers have all made the journey in style and indeed, for anyone, a trip on this magnificent train will create memories to last a lifetime. If you have the opportunity to travel on today's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, you can expect a trip like no other.

About the Train

The Belmond VSOE has been assembled from original European Orient Express route carriages dating from the 1920s and 1930s, each of which has been meticulously restored and is exquisite down to the last detail. Art deco reigns supreme and you'll even get a glimpse of work done by the famed French glass artist René Lalique. Each of the cars has been lovingly restored with top quality materials and is a wonder to behold.

Compartment Options

There are several compartment options that you can choose from for your journey on the Orient Express train. Each has a cabin steward to attend to your needs during your travel. The cabins also come stocked with fresh linens and soft, fluffy towels and your cabin steward transforms your space from lounge to sleeping configuration at night while you enjoy dinner. The Historic Twin Cabins features a lounging area, convenient fold down footstool and table and a cabinet with a washbasin and hot and cold water. Suites have either double or twin beds with private en-suite bathroom including toilet, shower and wash basin. Finally, the three Grand Suites feature a double bedroom and living area with private dining. A private en-suite bathroom is also included with a toilet, shower and wash basin. Each cabin also offers slippers and a bathrobe for your comfort.

While you travel on the Orient Express, your personal steward is on hand to assist you with any needs you have. Enjoy watching the beautiful European scenery glide by past your window and you can join the community feel of the train by leaving your door open and mingling with other travellers. Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in your cabin whilst lunch and dinner are served in the restaurant cars. Dressing for dinner is essential, with lounge suit and tie a minimum requirement for gents. However many gentlemen prefer to enjoy the formality of the occasion and wear a black tie with ladies appropriately attired. In the evening, the Bar Car is the social hub where you can stop by for pre and post-dinner drinks, and you won't want to miss trying the famous Guilty 12 cocktail inspired by " Murder on the Orient Express ."

All meals on board the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are prepared by French chefs. Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward, lunch and dinner are served in the restaurant cars by Italian waiters. The train uses fresh, local ingredients that are collected en route. Crisp linens, sparkling crystal, and gleaming utensils are on the tables for every meal, giving you a truly luxurious dining experience at each sitting.

Destinations

The most popular Orient Express train route starts in Paris and takes you to Verona or Venice , or vice versa. You can also depart Paris to Prague , Vienna and Budapest and back to Paris. Of course, you can also book the train for the original journey from Paris to Istanbul, or back, which recreates that maiden voyage during a memorable six-day excursion. This route is extremely popular and should always be booked as early as possible.

Considerations

Whilst the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is luxurious, the cars are original and the Historic Twin Cabins don't have too many modern updates, meaning you need to be prepared for a bit of adventure when you embark. The train operates from mid-March to December and the fares range from £3,530 per person for a Venice to Paris journey, up to £61,200 for a Grand Suite on the Istanbul journey. You can often save by booking the Orient Express early. All fares include meals and some beverages.

If you'd like to see Europe from a fantastic perspective that you've never considered before, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a breath-taking way to do so. Book your trip now and be ready to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Train Fares

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11 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Going on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Tips on how to pack, when to eat, and what else to expect on the european rail trip of a lifetime..

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The remodeled carriages on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express were all built in the early 20th century.

Courtesy of Belmond

For a lot of people, a journey on an antique luxury train such as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) is a dream come true, even if they’ve never read or seen Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express . The ride is an opportunity to return to the golden age of train travel, when passengers handed off their steamer trunks to white-gloved stewards and dined on porcelain plates.

Each itinerary has its own rewards, and indeed, every night is different depending on where you’re going and who you’re with. Here’s what I learned during my own train journey from Venice through Vienna to London on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with Belmond.

There are several routes—research the itinerary that’s right for you

The original Orient Express ran between Paris and Istanbul, with stops in Hungary and Romania, but on Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, there are nearly two dozen journeys you can take. A five-night itinerary from Paris to Istanbul is offered only a few times in the spring and summer and includes three nights on the train. The 2024 dates are May 31 to June 5 (Paris to Istanbul), June 7 to June 12 (Istanbul to Paris), August 23 to August 30 (Paris to Istanbul), and August 30 to September 4 (Istanbul to Paris).

At other times, trips include stops in such cities as Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Verona, Amsterdam, Florence, Rome, Brussels, and Innsbruck.

Left: Gardens at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani; Right: Laundry hangs above a street in Venice.

Photos by Sara Button

Note that if your itinerary includes London (which many do), you’ll actually take a bus through the Chunnel before picking up a train on the other side. Passengers ride another Belmond train, the British Pullman, in England and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Europe.

Knowing what I know now from riding from Venice to London with the Chunnel interruption at the end of the trip, I would do my itinerary in reverse to experience more of a crescendo: Start in London with a stay at Belmond’s stylish Cadogan Hotel in Chelsea, ride on the Pullman, then take the more luxurious VSOE to Venice. To top it all off? A night at the dreamy Belmond Hotel Cipriani on the Venetian island of Giudecca.

As you book, think about how much time you want to spend on the train and how the journey itself will unfold. If you board in the afternoon and get off again early the next morning, you’ll miss more of the scenery via train and may not get to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or brunch—but you’ll have more time in your final destination.

If you board in the morning and arrive at your destination late the next night, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the VSOE, but be prepared for a lot of sitting around. My favorite leg of the trip was when I had about 24 hours riding rather than rushing to disembark on time.

Staff of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express lines up to greet guests as they board the train.

Photo by Sara Button

There’s no such thing as too dressy . . .

Guests are informed of the dress code in advance of the trip. Jeans and tennis shoes are not acceptable daywear, and formal attire is requested for dinner. It’s no joke. I saw folks dressed in tuxedos and floor-length ballgowns and wearing antique jewelry. My advice? Embrace it. I was a bit intimidated by the idea of dressing up. But it turned out to be fun, almost like putting on a costume.

. . . but don’t panic if you’re not a fashionista

During the day, I wore a couple of simple linen dresses; for dinners, I brought two cocktail dresses. The train is a great opportunity to recycle wedding party attire you thought you’d never wear again or to check out the vintage section of a thrift shop. Services like Rent the Runway let you wear fancy clothes without having to buy them.

All that being said, try to fit everything in an overnight bag and a carry-on suitcase . The train compartments are authentically small, with only narrow overhead luggage racks and a couple of hangers for long garments. Large suitcases will be put into the train’s storage, and you won’t have access to them during the ride. I was fine fitting my beloved Osprey Meridian carry-on (sans day pack) and a Steve Madden weekender bag in my compartment.

(Though the Meridian is no longer available, the Osprey Fairview wheeled travel pack is similar.)

Take in the details

Riding on the VSOE truly is like being inside a time capsule; each car was built between 1926 and 1949 and has been meticulously restored. One of the most celebrated design moments onboard is the intricate glass windows in the dining car, designed by René Lalique in a Côte d’Azur style in 1929. The Grand Suites , meanwhile, are a masterclass in art deco style with hand-beaded embroidery, rich color palettes across plush fabrics, and special design elements inspired by Orient Express destinations like Paris, Istanbul, and Vienna. To step into one of the historic cabins is to be instantly transported to the 1920s.

Read the placards that describe each carriage’s history (car 3544 was reportedly used as a wartime brothel), track down car 3309 to admire the art deco marquetry panels by lauded French designer René Prou, and make time to admire such details as the painted flowers adorning your ceramic wash basin.

The bar car 3674 was refurbished in 2016; guests socialize here until late into the night.

Unplug . . .

It’s a lot easier to enjoy the views, get to know fellow passengers, or write postcards (anything posted from the train itself will get a special Venice Simplon-Orient-Express stamp) when you’re not looking at your phone.

. . . but don’t forget to take some photos

There are so many magical elements on the VSOE, it’s hard to keep track. I took plenty of pictures of the train, but once I got home I realized that I only had a couple photos of myself. As a solo traveler , I wish I had asked fellow riders to help me document the occasion. I had gotten dressed up after all, and sometimes a selfie just won’t cut it.

Be prepared to eat—A LOT

Most overnight itineraries include afternoon tea, dinner, and breakfast or brunch the next day. When I boarded in Venice, I was welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine, then served afternoon tea with five different sweets. Only a couple hours later, there were snacks for cocktail hour, and supper was a four-course meal.

Decide if you’re an early bird or a night owl

There are two dinner seatings on the VSOE: one around 7 p.m., the other around 9 p.m. The maître d’ will note your seating preference in the afternoon and will also ask if you’re open to sitting with other travelers.

Eat early and you’ll have more time to digest all five courses before going to bed. Eat late and you’ll have to wait until the first shift finishes up in the dining cars.

The resident pianist plays in the bar car from 6 p.m. to midnight nightly, sometimes longer if passengers are still enjoying themselves later than that. Either way, there’s plenty of time for drinks before or after dinner—the bar car doesn’t close until the last guest has left.

Because of my route, I was able to try dinner at both times and personally, I ended up liking the later seating more; there was a bigger gap between afternoon tea and dinner, and I felt like I had even more time to make friends in the bar car before heading to the meal seating than during the earlier seating.

Breakfast aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express includes fresh fruit, pastries, tea or coffee, and juice.

Manage your expectations

Yes, a trip on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the trip of a lifetime. But you’re still riding an antique train. Unless you’ve booked one of the six grand suites , you’ll have to use the toilet at the end of each car. Twin cabins have bunk beds; if you’re traveling with someone else, your compartment will be, well, intimate. There is an option to book a double cabin, which adjoins two singles that can be combined as a double bed allowing for more space. As comfortable as the beds may be, there will be some jolts and bumps during the night. If the clacking of the tracks will keep you awake, bring earplugs.

Grand Suites on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express have a double bed and en suite toilets.

Meet your fellow passengers

Many different types of travelers ride on the VSOE. I met couples, a mother-daughter duo, a family with two young children, former college roommates, and another solo female traveler. Some were Agatha Christie buffs, others wanted to bask in the atmosphere. Those looking for a bit of serenity could relax in the comfort of their cabin and dine alone or with only their traveling companions. Others could dine with strangers or chat in the bar car. Striking up a conversation is easy—just start with, “What brought you on the train?”

This article originally appeared online in 2019; it was most recently updated on October 13, 2023, to include current information.

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Venice Simplon-Orient Express

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If you can afford it, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the most romantic and luxurious way from London or Paris to Venice.  Its vintage carriages are a delight and the food & on-board service are truly world class.  Unlike many expensive tourist experiences, this train really does live up to its five-star and you won't be disappointed.  Watch the video .

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) is a privately-run train of beautifully-restored 1920s, 30s & 50s coaches, providing a 5-star luxury train experience between London, Paris, Verona & Venice, running roughly once a week from March to November.  The journey from London to Venice takes 24 hours and costs over £3,300 per person one way, including meals.

The train is run by Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) Limited, part of Belmond, who also operate the equally luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express from Singapore to Bangkok, the Royal Scotsman cruise train and the PeruRail trains to Machu Picchu .  The VSOE should not be confused with the real Orient Express, the true descendant of the original 1883 Orient Express, a regular scheduled train which was finally withdrawn on 12 December 2009, see here for an explanation .

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express also runs occasional trips to Florence, Rome, Krakow, Budapest, Stockholm and even Istanbul once a year, in August.

Important changes for 2024

2023 was the last season in which VSOE passengers travelled from London Victoria to Folkestone by British Pullman , got ferried through the Channel Tunnel by road coach and boarded the Continental train at Calais.  From 2024, the VSOE will operate between Paris Gare de l'Est and Venice , with connections to/from London St Pancras by Eurostar .  No more British Pullman.  This is due to Brexit, delays caused by longer border checks made the Folkestone-Calais coach transfer increasingly unreliable which in turn delayed the departure of the VSOE train from Calais.  A great shame.

Southbound dates , London to Venice

2024 :  14, 21, 28 March.  4, 11, 25 April.  5, 20 May.  27 June.  11 July.  3, 14 August.  5, 22 September.  6, 22 October. 1, 19, 23 November.  5, 12, 22 December.

Northbound dates , Venice to London

2024 :  5, 12, 19, 26 March.  9, 27 April.  10, 15 May.  1, 6, 12 August.  14, 24 September.  1, 15, 20 October. 5, 17, 21 November.  3, 10, 14 December.

Timetable 2024 (subject to confirmation)

How much does it cost .

Solo travellers:   The prices above are per person assuming two people share a 2-berth compartment in an LX-type type sleeper dating from 1929.  If you're a solo traveller, sole occupancy costs the same price if you book a single-berth compartment in a slightly less intricate slightly smaller mid-1920s-built S-type sleeper, but costs significantly more if you book a 2-berth compartment in an LX sleeper for sole occupancy, see the advice & explanation below .

Children:   Infants under 2 sharing a berth travel free.  Children under 12 sharing a compartment with a full-fare-paying adult get a 20% reduction.

The extra-cost cabin suites & grand suites are explained below .

How to buy tickets

Can a 24 hour train ride to venice be worth £3,350 per person , single travellers.

The VSOE consists almost entirely of luxurious LX-type sleeping cars built 1927-1929.  But there is usually one mid-1920s S-type sleeping-car on the train with 10 compartments which it sells as singles for the same price per person as two people sharing a 2-berth in an LX.  When booking at www.belmond.com with 1 adult selected you'll be sold sole occupancy of an S-type sleeper compartment if one remains available, otherwise you'll see a significantly higher price which is for sole occupancy of a 2-berth LX sleeper compartment.

The compartments in an S-type sleeping-car are very slightly smaller and have less intricate wood marquetry than an LX, but they are just as comfortable and just as historic - indeed, had you travelled from Calais to Istanbul in the 1930s you'd have travelled in an S-type sleeper rather than an LX-type, as the Calais-Istanbul car was usually an S, although the other (Paris-Istanbul) sleeping-car on the Simplon Orient Express was usually an LX.  My advice?  It's simply not worth paying so much more for a compartment in an LX if a single compartment in the S class is available.  And if you're lucky enough to get S-type car number 3425, Mrs 61 & I got engaged in the corridor, send me a photo!

Journey suggestions

Which is better, a southbound or northbound trip.

Either is great, but in my opinion the southbound has the edge.  Although the northbound journey tends to be less popular, so often has better availability and sometimes better rates.  But personally, I feel the journey works best going out from London with the arrival in Venice over the causeway a fitting climax.  You'll also see more of the Alpine scenery in daylight in the morning from a southbound train than (depending on the time of year) in the evening from a northbound train.

One way by VSOE, one-way by TGV & Eurostar

If you only take the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express one-way, you don't need to fly the other.  Take Eurostar from London to Paris in 2h15, have lunch at the amazing Train Bleu restaurant inside Paris Gare de Lyon, then take the afternoon TGV or Frecciarossa from Paris to Turin in 5h40, a comfortable & scenic journey through the French Alps, see the video & photos here , arriving in the evening.  Stay overnight in Turin, and next morning take a high-speed train from Turin to Venice in around 4h30.  This works equally well in either direction, see the London to Italy by train page for all you need to know.

For the ultimate scenic ride between London & Venice, take Eurostar & a TGV-Lyria to Zurich on day 1, then take the wonderful narrow-gauge Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps to Tirano with connections for Venice on day 2, see the Bernina Express page .  You can easily arrange this yourself, or you can ask custom-made tour agency www.railbookers.co.uk to arrange both your Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express trip and your scheduled trains and suggest some excellent hotels in Venice.

VSOE to Krakow, Budapest, Prague, Rome & Istanbul

As well as its regular London-Paris-Venice route, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express runs occasional departures to Krakow, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Rome, Stockholm and sometimes even Istanbul (London to Istanbul usually in late August, 5 nights for around £7,000 pp), see www.belmond.com/venice-simplon-orient-express or call Railbookers .

Day trips in the UK by Belmond's British Pullman & Northern Belle

The VSOE's British Pullman cars run a regular programme of day-trips, dinner trips and excursions around the British Isles, mostly around London and typically £210-£420 per person.  Belmond also used to own (but have now sold) a set of more modern cars dating from the 1970s converted to classic Pullman standard which is used on Northern Belle excursions in the north of England, see www.northernbelle.co.uk for routes, dates, prices & tickets.

Back to top

Option 1, call Railbookers

Railbookers are train specialists who often have special rates for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.  They can also arrange hotels and regular scheduled European trains to create a customised trip - for example Eurostar & high-speed TGV-Lyria from London to Zurich, 1 night at the superb Hotel Schweizerhof (first introduced to me by Railbookers, now a personal favourite), onward travel through the Alps via the wonderfully scenic Gotthard Pass route to Venice, 3 nights 4-star hotel in Venice, then by fabulous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to London.  Railbookers take good care of their clients, and they now have offices in the UK, US & Australia.

  UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk . 

  us call free 1-888-829-4775, www.railbookers.com .,   canada call free 1-855-882-2910, www.railbookers.com .,   australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, www.railbookers.com.au . ,   new zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website ., option 2, call tailor made rail.

UK-based Tailor Made Rail can also organise a trip on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express.  Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.  See www.tailormaderail.com/trains/venice-simplon-orient-express .

Option 3, book at belmond.com

You can also buy tickets at www.belmond.com/venice-simplon-orient-express .  If you feel like packing some lucky loved one off to Paris or Venice, you can buy Venice Simplon-Orient-Express gift certificates.  Double cabin or Suite cabin?   See the explanation here .  However, I'd call Railbookers before booking, as sometimes Railbookers can offer VSOE plus hotels more cheaply than a train-only booking with Belmond.

What's a journey on the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express like?

London to paris by eurostar.

From 2024, passengers no longer use the British Pullman from London to Folkestone, and the Continental train no longer starts from Calais.  From 2024 onwards, passengers take Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord , which is a short 7-minute walk from Paris Gare de l'Est .  I expect Belmond will bus you from station to station, but it really is just a 7 minute walk !

See more about the Eurostar journey here .  Passengers bound for the VSOE travel in Business Premier, a meal with wine and champagne is served at your seat.  There are power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

The Venice Simplon Orient Express

In the evening at Paris Gare de l'Est you board the VSOE's continental train of restored blue-and-gold 1920s Wagons-Lits sleeping-cars for Innsbruck, Verona & Venice.  You've time to take photos.

The sleeping-cars

Historic compartments - authentic, see car layout.

Your sleeper attendant greets you at the door and shows you to your compartment.  The VSOE's sleeping-cars are mostly classic 1929-vintage LX-series cars with ten 2-berth compartments that convert to private sitting rooms with sofa and small table for daytime use.  With their inlaid wood marquetry, the LX-types were the most luxurious sleeping-cars ever built for La Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL, the original operator of the Orient Express), and the VSOE's restored LX-series cars were originally used on various CIWL trains including the Calais-Paris-Nice Train Bleu, the Paris-Rome Rome Express , the Paris-Berlin-Warsaw-Riga Nord Express .  One Paris-Istanbul sleeping-car and the Calais-Trieste sleeping-car of the Simplon Orient Express would also have been an LX-type in the 1930s.

VSOE also own two earlier 1927-built S-series cars which had less fancy woodwork and slightly smaller compartments, but they were both gutted in 2018 to create Belmond's modern Suites & Grand Suites.  In the 1930s, the Calais-Istanbul sleeping car & Calais-Athens sleeping-car of the Simplon Orient Express would normally have been an S-type.

Sleeper facilities :   Each historic compartment has a large sofa convertible to an upper and lower berth at night, a footstool, small folding table.  There's a broad luggage rack towards the ceiling capable of taking fairly large items.  In a corner (either by the door or the window), two doors open to reveal a washstand with soap, towels, flannels and hot & cold water.  Mineral water, slippers & dressing gown are provided, and (a modern addition) there are two plug sockets of the normal 2-pin European type.  Authentic 1920s sleeping-cars don't have en suite toilets or showers, they also didn't have air-conditioning, but this has now been fitted.  You can still wind the window down, great for reflection-free photos of the scenery.

The correct term is 'Compartment' not 'Cabin':   These sleeper compartments are described on the Belmond website as historic cabins .  Trains don't have cabins, that is a nautical term used for a room on a ship.  The correct term on a train is a compartment .  Travellers in the 1920s & 1930s would have known this perfectly well, travellers unused to trains & ships now seem to use 'cabin' for everything and even Belmond don't seem to know the correct term.

Suites & Grand Suites - not authentic

For the 2018 season, Belmond created 3 luxurious Grand Suites with double bed, parlour area and en suite shower & toilet, they also now offer several smaller Suites with either twin or double beds and en suite toilet & shower.  These modern suites were created by taking one of the VSOE's two historic S-type sleeping-cars (car 3425, the car my wife & I got engaged in, as it happens), completely gutting the car's original 1920s interior (it had ten 1 or 2 berth compartments with washbasin) and building these new suites from scratch inside the empty bodyshell.  The suites are a modern creation for the 21st century tourist market and completely unauthentic - the real Orient Express of the 1920s and 1930s would have no suites, no showers, and no en en suite toilets, just a chamber pot kept in a hidey-hole under the sink (hence the famous CIWL sign, Sous le lavabo se trouve une vase ...).  In fact the Orient Express wouldn't have had a bar car or piano either, just sleeping-cars and a restaurant car.  If you want the authentic 1920s/30s experience, save your money and stick with the basic, original, historic LX sleeper compartments.  Check prices for the suites & grand suites online at www.belmond.com or call Railbookers .

The place to go before or after dinner is the VSOE's lively bar car, with lounge area, cocktail bar and piano.  Needless to say, the real Orient Express even in its 1920s & 1930s heyday would have not have had any such fripperies as a bar or lounge, let alone a piano, just sleeping-cars and a restaurant.  It was a much more work-a-day train than most people imagine.  The piano-bar-lounge has been created for modern-day tourists out of a former Wagons-Lits Company pullman car built in 1931 - but it's still great place to mingle.  You'll find a small VSOE Boutique counter in these cars.

The 3 restaurant cars

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has three restaurant cars, each with unique decor: 

The Cote d'Azur was originally a 1st class Pullman car built in 1929, first used on the Cote d'Azur Pullman Express.   With lovely Lalique glass panels, it's my favourite.

The Etoile du Nord restaurant car was built in Birmingham in 1926 for the Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam Etoile du Nord Pullman train, it was later used on the Edelweiss from Amsterdam to Switzerland and the Lusitania from Madrid to Lisbon.

L'Orientale was originally a Pullman kitchen car, built in Birmingham in 1927 and also used on the Etoile du Nord and later the Lusitania , and it features Chinese-style lacquer wall panels.

Soon after departure the Maitre d' comes down the sleeping-cars handing out dinner reservations.  You'll be allocated a restaurant car but feel free to request a table in your favourite.  Make sure you experience two different ones at dinner and lunch.

Dinner in the diner

Meals are included in the fare on the VSOE, and the food is truly excellent.  Drinks on the Continental train cost extra, reckon on the cheapest half bottle of wine costing €35, a full bottle €50.  A dress code applies in the evening, for men a dark suit is essential, but the majority of passengers bring a dinner jacket and bow tie as dressing up is part of the fun.  You can't be over-dressed on the VSOE!

Time for bed

You'll return from dinner to find your compartment converted into a bedroom by the sleeper attendant, with upper and lower berths.  The beds are the most comfortable I have ever slept in on a train, in fact they're more comfortable than many hotel beds.  There are toilets at each end of the corridor.  The door locks securely with both a lock and security chain.

Scenery next morning in Switzerland, Austria & Italy

In spite of its name, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express no longer uses the Simplon route via Lausanne, Brig & Milan.  Instead, it runs overnight from Paris to Switzerland and you'll probably wake up just beyond Zurich.  When I last took it, I found the train running alongside the sparkling waters of the Zürichsee or Walensee with a breathtaking mountain backdrop, heading for the Arlberg Pass then the Brenner - although from 2016 it travels via the Gotthard Pass to Milan, only using the Brenner and Arlberg northbound.  A Continental breakfast of excellent coffee, juice and fresh croissant is served on a tray in your compartment by your sleeper attendant.  When I took it, the train clipped a corner of Liechtenstein and entered Austria via the wonderfully scenic Arlberg Pass - which once gave its name to the Paris-Switzerland-Vienna Arlberg Orient Express which used this route.  The VSOE turned right after Innsbruck, and as a 3-course lunch was served in the restaurant cars we headed into Italy via the almost equally scenic Brenner Pass to Verona, passing Padua and Venice Mestre before finally rumbling slowly across the 2km causeway to Venice Santa Lucia station on the banks of the Grand Canal in central Venice, just 15 minutes walk from the famous Rialto Bridge or 25 minutes walk from St Mark's Square.

Video guide:  Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

More videos:   arlberg pass scenery video    brenner pass scenery video.

These two videos show the scenery through the Arlberg and Brenner Passes which you'll see over breakfast and lunch on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.  They were shot from scheduled trains on the route, but the scenery is of course the same!

Travel tips

Dress up!   You'll need (for men) at least a dark suit and tie for dinner on the VSOE Continental train, but many travellers change into a dinner jacket with bow tie for dinner - indeed, you may feel under-dressed in just a suit.  A significant number of travellers dress up in 1920s or 30s style, you won't feel out of place if you do!  During the day dress code is smart-casual, you can't wear jeans on the VSOE.

Ask for your favourite restaurant for dinner - and a different one for lunch next day.   There are three restaurants on the VSOE continental train, each unique.  The Maitre d' will make a dinner reservation for you, feel free to request a table in your favourite restaurant - my favourite is the Cote d'Azur with its lovely glass panels by Lalique.  Next day, request a table in one of the other two, to experience a different car.

Are there showers?   Not in the original authentic 1920s sleeper compartments, no.  These were built in an era when hotel rooms didn't have en suite bathrooms, people survived without taking a shower every few hours and Sunday night was bath night whether you needed it or not.  The sleeper compartments have a washstand with hot & cold running water which was a luxury for the 1920s, when many hotel rooms didn't even have this.  Incredibly, Belmond tell me that the lack of en suite showers is the biggest thing that surprises many VSOE travellers even though they know they're going on an authentic 1920s train!  However, the more expensive suites and grand suites have en suite toilet & shower, as these are a modern innovation, they are not original or authentic.

Is there WiFi?   The train now has WiFi and there's decent mobile data reception all along the route, even inside the Channel Tunnel.

Are there power sockets?   Not on the British Pullmans, no.  But each sleeper compartment on the VSOE Continental train has two European-style 2-pin sockets, one under the sink, one under the window.  A post-1920s addition!

Special dietary needs. You can request these when you book, yes.

Smoking.   The VSOE train is all non-smoking.

Tips.   The fare includes service, although you can always tip a member of staff who gives particularly good service.

Dress code.   Jeans & trainers aren't allowed on the VSOE.  The dress code is smart casual during the day, and at least dark suit with tie for men in the evening.  But I'd take a DJ (that's a tuxedo if you're American) if you have one.

Luggage.   One large suitcase per person can be checked in to your final destination, and one item of hand luggage plus a suit carrier or overnight bag can be taken into your sleeper compartment.  In London, you can check your overnight bag or suit carrier in and you'll find them waiting for you in your sleeper compartment when you board the VSOE Continental train.  However, don't worry too much about luggage limits as unlike airlines, VSOE seem relaxed about exact bag weights or dimensions, as long as you don't take the Mickey.  There is a reasonably large luggage rack in your sleeping-car compartment.

Can children travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?   Yes they can, of any age, see the fares section above .

Do you have to go from London to Venice?   Belmond will sell journeys from London to Verona or Venice, or Paris to Verona or Venice, and in the opposite direction.

Is a northbound or southbound trip best?   See my answer here .

Does the train go across the Channel?   No, and the Orient Express never did. 

Today's VSOE journey is described above .  When it started in 1982 passengers used a ferry from Folkestone to Boulogne with the sleeper train waiting for it at Boulogne Maritime station, in the later years until 2023 they used an executive road coach from Folkestone to Calais which went through the Channel Tunnel on a car-carrying Eurotunnel shuttle train.  From 2024 onwards, VSOE passengers will use Eurostar from London to Paris Gare du Nord and board the VSOE continental train at the nearby Gare de l'Est .

Historically, the Orient Express always started at Calais with a totally separate British 'boat train' and ferry providing a connection from London.  The only passenger train ever to be physically ferried across the Channel on board a ferry were the London-Paris (and later, London-Brussels) sleeping-cars of the Night Ferry , which start in 1936, suspended during WW2, and discontinued in 1980, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Ferry .

Is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express the original Orient Express?   You'd better read the next section!

Is this the original Orient Express ?    See the Orient Express history page

No.  Because there is no such thing as the original Orient Express.  The Orient Express was a service, not one specific set of coaches.  The Orient Express used different rolling stock at different times in its long history, and at any given time it required more than one set of coaches to operate - common sense, really, as in the 1920s & 1930s the Simplon Orient Express left Paris every day on a 3-night journey to Istanbul so clearly required at least 6 separate sets of coaching stock to operate.

In fact, by the 1930s there were several different Orient Express routes, including the Orient Express (Paris-Munich-Vienna-Budapest-Bucharest/Istanbul), Simplon Orient Express (Calais-Paris-Lausanne-Milan-Venice-Belgrade-Athens/Istanbul, as featured in Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express), Arlberg Orient Express (Paris-Zurich-Vienna-Budapest-Bucharest) and Oostende-Vienna Orient Express (Oostende-Brussels-Frankfurt-Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade-Istanbul, as featured in Graham Greene's novel Stambul Train ), all taking different routes across Europe and switching cars between them at key points.

Furthermore, these were not huge long trains going from a single point A to one point B like today's 16-car VSOE.  They were relatively short trains of individual sleeping-cars from different starting points to different destinations, with cars switched between trains at key interchange points such as Vienna or Belgrade.  Restaurant cars would be attached for all main sectors, but there would not have been any bars, lounges or pianos.  More work-a-day than most people imagine. 

To give you a flavour of what it was really like, in the 1930s the Orient Express would leave Istanbul Sirkeci station at 10pm consisting of just 4 sleeping-cars and 2 baggage vans ( fourgons in French).  No restaurants, no bars, no lounges nor seats cars, just those 4 sleeping-cars and two fourgons, nothing more.  Two sleeping-cars and a fourgon were for Paris Gare de Lyon via Venice & Lausanne on the Simplon Orient Express , usually an LX and an S, with the S-type sleeping-car going through to Calais for the London connection attached to a Paris-Calais boat train.  Depending on the day of the week, the third sleeping-car was either for Brussels & Oostende via the Oostende-Vienna Orient Express or for Paris Est via Vienna and Munich on the (plain) Orient Express.  Again depending on the day of the week, the fourth sleeping-car was for either Prague or Berlin via the Balt-Orient Express.  A restaurant car was added at the Bulgarian border (where it had been detached from an eastbound Orient Express a few hours previously) in time to serve breakfast.  Still no lounges or pianos!

In addition to the various Orient Express routes, the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (the company which ran the Orient Express) operated sleeping-cars and restaurant-cars all over Europe, both as all-luxury trains such as these and providing the sleeping- and restaurant-car service attached to regular trains in many countries.  Cutting a long story short, the CIWL handed over responsibility for the sleeping- and dining-cars to the various national rail operators themselves in 1971, but the company still exists.  For example, if you take Austrian Railways Nightjet sleeper trains , the sleeper attendants and catering are provided by NewRest, a subsidiary of the CIWL.  VSOE has been allowed to use the CIWL's name and crest on its vintage carriages under licence.

Most of the sleeping-cars on today's VSOE are 1929-built LX-type cars.  If you'd travelled from Calais to Istanbul on the Simplon Orient Express in the 1930s you'd have travelled in an S-type car built in 1927, with slightly smaller compartments than the LX-type and lacking the intricate wood marquetry decoration that distinguishes the more glamorous 'LX'.  In the 1950s and 60s, you'd probably have travelled in a newer Z-type sleeping-car which replaced the S-type on those routes after World War 2.  VSOE own a couple of S-type cars which they tend to use for solo travellers because of their smaller compartments.

Is it the one that stopped running in 1977?  Was it restored & put back into service?

No.  It is sometimes suggested that the 'original' Orient Express made its last run in 1977, and was taken out of service, then bought and restored and put back in service as today's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.  VSOE's marketing department don't exactly disabuse you of this notion.  Again, this is some way from the truth. 

The Simplon Orient Express (which ran daily, with direct sleeping-cars from both Calais and Paris to Istanbul) was replaced in 1962 by a slower train called the Direct Orient Express , which included one direct sleeping-car from Paris to Istanbul just three times a week.  The Direct Orient Express was almost entirely composed of ordinary seats & couchette cars belonging to the various State-run national railways along the route, with just one Z-type sleeping-car (a type of car not owned by VSOE) going through to Istanbul, still staffed by the Wagons-Lits Company.  The last Direct Orient Express left Paris Gare de Lyon at 23:56 on 19 May 1977 - in fact it left a little late, on 20th May.

But although the end of the Direct Orient meant the end of direct trains between Paris and Istanbul, it didn't mean the end of the (plain) Orient Express .  This was a separate train on a different route, Paris-Munich-Vienna-Budapest-Bucharest, originally conveying a thrice-weekly through sleeping-car from Paris to Istanbul which was attached at Belgrade to the Simplon Orient Express cars from Calais and Paris which had come via Venice.  The Paris-Istanbul car via this route ceased in the early 1960s.  This (plain) Orient Express was indeed the true descendant of the very first 1883 Orient Express which took a similar route, and it continued in one form of another until it's withdrawal in December 2009, by which time it had evolved into a Strasbourg to Vienna EuroNight sleeper train, run by the Austrian Railways with modern air-conditioned seats, couchettes and a 1980s-built sleeping-car.  It had been cut back in 2007 from running Paris to Vienna when the Paris-Strasbourg TGV-Est high-speed line opened.  All is explained in more detail on the Orient Express history page .

So what exactly is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?

In 1977, a number of classic pre-war Wagons-Lits Company sleeping-cars and restaurant cars were offered for sale at an auction in Monte Carlo.  James Sherwood of Sea Containers Inc bought most of them, with the dream of restoring them and recreating a 'Train de Luxe' for modern-day travellers on part of the route of the fabled Simplon Orient Express.  He subsequently acquired a series of 1920s and 1930s Pullman cars for the London-Folkestone part of the operation. 

VSOE's LX-type sleeping-cars originally ran on front-rank Wagons-Lits Company trains all over Europe, including the Train Bleu from Calais & Paris to Nice & Monte Carlo, the Nord Express from Paris to Berlin, Warsaw & Riga, and the Rome Express from Calais/Paris to Rome.  The Calais to Trieste sleeping car attached to the Simplon Orient Express would have been an 'LX', as would a Paris-Istanbul and a Paris-Athens sleeping-car, even if the Calais-Istanbul and Calais-Athens cars would have been slightly older S-types.

Today's tourist-orientated VSOE has been running since 1982, London-Paris-Venice once a week from March to November.  Although it is a 'resumption' of the Orient Express more in spirit than in terms of historical accuracy but the VSOE has superbly-restored pre-war carriages, top-class food and service, and it has now become an institution in it own right.  Don't miss your chance to ride it!

The British Pullman train

This is a beautiful train of restored 1920s/30s/50s British Pullman cars, from 2024 it's no longer used as part of the London-Paris-Venice journey, but the train is still used for excursions within Britain so I shall leave this section here.

Each car features plush armchairs in open-plan saloons, arranged as intimate tables for two each side of the aisle.  It's strange how 80 years of ergonomics haven't produced anything as luxuriously comfortable as a 1920s Pullman seat.  Most Pullmans also have an enclosed 4-seat compartment at one or both ends known as a coupé, these can be requested if you want privacy though I prefer the more convivial open saloon.  You can read a brief history of each individual VSOE Pullman Car at www.belmond.com/british-pullman-train/british-pullman-carriages , worth checking as the history is fascinating, and many of the cars have links with famous trains or famous people.  You'll find a booklet about the history of the Pullman cars at your seat on board the train which you can keep.  Some cars were used on the Golden Arrow boat train between London & Dover, others on the Brighton Belle between London & Brighton, a couple were used on Winston Churchill's funeral train, and so on...  If one car particularly interests you, by all means request it!  The British Pullman train leaves Victoria station, rumbles slowly across the Thames past Battersea Power Station, then takes one of several possible routes to Folkestone.  Indeed it sometimes goes the long way round via Canterbury and Dover, dropping off day-trippers at Canterbury and doubling back along the coast to Folkestone.  A 3-course brunch is served on the way to Folkestone with sparkling Bellinis, all included in the fare.

Orient Express books, gifts & souvenirs

Venice simplon-orient-express gift certificates.

Belmond offer gift certificates, if you want to make someone a present of a journey on one of their trains:  https://www.belmond.com/venice-simplon-orient-express/monetary_gift_certificates .

Books about the Orient Express

If you want to learn more about the Orient Express, you can click the pictures to buy these books online at Amazon.  The book on the left has more about the history of the Orient Express, the book on the right concentrates on the restored Venice Simplon Orient Express.  Also recommended is 'The Orient Express - The life and times of the world's most famous train' by E H Cookridge.  Although out of print, you can buy it second hand through Amazon - click here for details .  The Orient Express also features heavily in fiction.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (actually set on the Simplon Orient Express, as she knew full well)

Murder on the Orient Express (DVD, 1974 film)

Stamboul Train by Graham Greene (actually set on the Oostende-Vienna Orient Express, not the Orient Express)

Hotels in London, Paris, Venice

If you need to search for decent hotels in London, Paris or Venice, this is the system to use.

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The experience

Cabins and suites, itineraries, venice simplon-orient-express, welcome aboard the luxury train venice simplon-orient-express.

An icon of art-deco design and an eternal symbol of luxury , the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a true classic of luxury train travel . Travel on board this European rail legend and enjoy an unforgettable adventure.

A quintessential icon of luxury train travel , this train has for many decades captured the hearts and imaginations of its lucky travelers. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is simply the most famous and luxurious luxury train in the world : polished wood finishes, upholstery with the finest fabrics, sumptuous and antique decoration… This wonder of sophisticated travel will make you appreciate several of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe while enjoying an atmosphere of opulence and elegance without equal that will transport you from the first moment aboard the Golden Age of train travel.

Authenticity is one of the protagonists of this luxury train . The Venice Simplon- Orient-Express is made up of several luxurious cabin cars from the 1920s and 1930s, together with 3 restaurant cars that offer you an exquisite culinary experience and invite you to be dazzled by their luxurious finishes : stained glass windows with Lalique crystals from the French Riviera, cutlery and glassware from the finest and most exclusive brands, delicious dishes that will delight your palate. The wagon-bar sparkles with its golden details and offers you to enjoy a glass of fine champagne while the pianist gives that charming touch to the atmosphere with its elegant and happy melodies.

A butler in the most elegant royal blue and gold uniform greets you with a white gloved hand and welcomes you on board with a discreet and sincere smile. Step into your luxurious cabin finished in polished cherry wood and adorned with art-deco accents, relax and enjoy the start of a journey into the golden age of train travel.

What is the history of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?

The original Orient-Express was inaugurated on October 4, 1883 and characters such as Tolstoy, Lawrence of Arabia, the spy Mata Hari Trotsky, Marlene Dietrich traveled in its luxurious carriages ... Many films based on the fabulous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express have even been produced as "The Spy Who Loved Me" in 1963 starring Sean Connery. And more recently, in 2017, inspired by the 1934 Agatha Christie novel, "Murder on the Orient Express" with Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kenneth Branagh.

It was 1977 at an auction in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, where the founder of Belmond, Mr. James B Sherwood, bought two vintage train cars.

Sherwood was passionate about luxury and sophisticated travel. He searched everywhere for railway relics and disused wagons in private gardens,** museums and railway stations**. The wagons of famous vintage trains such as Le Train Bleu and the Rome Express deserved a spectacular return to service, but they needed a very high level of craftsmanship and engineering expertise to be restored and adapted to modern standards of quality and safety. Fortunately, he found a group of experienced craftsmen and mechanics who carried out the task of painstakingly restoring the wagons to their former glory from bygone days.

After nearly 5 years of meticulous restoration, the iconic midnight blue wagons were finally operational for 1982, ready to welcome their lucky travelers in incomparable luxury on a journey between Venice and London.

What journeys does the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express propose?

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express covers the route between London and Venice , this route being one of the most famous, as well as the route from Paris to Venice . Feast your eyes on the beautiful landscapes of Europe: lush rolling meadows and majestic mountains, beautiful villages. This impressive journey can be done in either direction or round trip. Delve into local culture with stops in Budapest and Bucharest. Reach the ends of Europe on an authentic adventure of more than six days taking the route from Paris to Istanbul, a city divided between Europe and Asia.

Paris - Berlin is the newest trip in the catalog, an exciting adventure connecting two of the most vibrant cultural centers in Europe.

Venice, Paris, London, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Istanbul ... They are just some of the legendary cities the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express visits.

The Côte d’Azur

The Étoile du Nord

Single Cabin

The perfect option for total relaxation.

The individual cabins have one bed. During the day, the bed is transformed into a comfortable sofa from where you can admire the beautiful views that this journey offers you.

Thin cotton sheets and goose feather pillows will create a cozy and peaceful setting for a perfect night's rest.

Included in your cabin:

• Day and night configuration
• Sink with hot and cold water
• WC at the ends of each wagon-room
• Towels in luxurious cotton
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Dual voltage sockets
• 2 x 220 volt outlets

Historic Cabin

Take in Europe from the romantic setting it deserves with your own private historic twin cabin.

Banquette seating offers the perfect vantage point to watch the landscape by day, while convertible sleeping berths — with soft, luxurious bedding — transform the cabin into an intimate retreat by night.

Morning breakfast can even be served to your bed, should you desire.

Its comfortable plush sofa turns into an upper bed and a lower one at night.

Both are dressed in soft, luxurious lingerie for optimal rest and each has its own reading light.

Included in your Historic Cabin:

These marvelous suites are inspired by a fusion of the landscape the train travels through and design from the Art Deco period.

Each suite will immerse you in diverse European scenery through glorious colours, patterns and textures. Plush fabrics and furnishings channel famed Art Deco designers, such as Dufrene and Lalique.

These reimagined suites were fully restored by expert craftsmen in France, and complement the existing Grand Suites and Historic Twins that make up the sumptuous on board experience.

Included in your Suite:

• Double bed or twin beds
• Private marble en-suite bathroom with shower, basin and wc
• Lounge area by day, as your bed converts to seating area
• Complimentary amenities including a kimono and slippers to take home

Grand Suite

On a train where unparalleled luxury is the standard, the exquisite Grand Suites are the jewel in the crown. Let yourself be carried away by the feeling of opulence and elegance of these large suites where only royalty traveled in the Golden Age of train travel.

Three beautiful suites make up the collection, each named after 3 of the most attractive cities in Europe: Paris, Venice and Istanbul. In honor of the inaugural train route through the heart of continental Europe, the Grand Suites embody the soul of each city and the art-deco indulgence while offering all modern comforts. Spacious sinks and impeccable cabin service complete the experience.

Each Grand Suite has a bedroom with double or twin bed, a living room with space for private dining, and a sofa that can be converted into an additional bed at night. A private bathroom in the suite includes a shower, sink and toilet, plus accessories and luxury products and complimentary bathrobes. 24-hour suite service includes unlimited champagne consumption at no extra charge.

Included in your Grand Suite:

• Private WC and shower
• Complimentary champagne by the glass in your Suite

Paris - Venice

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How long does the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journey take?

What languages ​​are spoken on board the venice simplon-orient-express, what currencies are accepted on board the venice simplon-orient-express, do i have to tip the staff of the venice simplon-orient-express train, is it necessary to take a travel insurance for the venice simplon-orient-express, what are the dress codes aboard the venice simplon-orient-express, is it possible to choose between the first or the second service to eat on the venice simplon-orient-express, are the venice simplon-orient-express cabins spacious enough for all luggage, do the venice simplon-orient-express cabins have toilets and showers, is the venice simplon-orient-express air-conditioned, does the venice simplon-orient-express have a laundry room and ironing facilities, do venice simplon-orient-express cabins have power outlets, is there a safe in the cabin, is smoking allowed on board the venice simplon-orient-express, informations.

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The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: your questions answered

By Andy Austen Destination Specialist

published about 1 year ago

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: frequently asked questions

It’s the world’s most glamorous train, cosseting guests in unmatched style between some of Europe’s greatest cities. But, what should you expect from your time on board? Our specialists have pooled their collective knowledge to answer ten of the most frequently asked questions about a trip holiday on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Why is it called the Orient Express?

Officially named the Orient Express in 1891, it was the first train service to connect western Europe with the gateway to the Orient – Constantinople. Of course, it being the late 19th-century, the route was anything but straight forward. The original journey departed from Paris’s Gare de l‘Est on 4th October 1883 and called in at Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna and Giurgui in Romania, from where passengers were shipped across the Danube by ferry. It was then on from Ruse to Varna before a final boat hop across the Black Sea saw weary guests finally into Constantinople itself. Today, under its new guise, things are a great deal simpler.

Istanbul, Turkey

Is the Orient Express still operating?

Yes it is, but not under that exact name. The original Orient Express was an international railway service connecting the cities of Paris and what was then known as Constantinople – today’s Istanbul. Now called the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the celebrated modern-era train operates a number of routes across the Continent, taking in the likes of Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Istanbul and, yes, Venice.

Where does the Orient Express route begin and end?

The original Orient Express route between Paris and Istanbul still exists and operates once a year in each direction. However, the most popular modern route, service by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, is between Paris and Venice and takes two days with one night on board the train. 

Grand Canal, Venice

How much does it cost to go on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?

That all depends on which route you take and which cabin you choose. For a classic London to Venice journey with a couple of nights tagged on at the end, you’ll be looking at anywhere between £4,500–£6,000. That’s travelling in a Historic Cabin. Upgrade to a  Grand Suite and the price is around double that, with a Suite somewhere in between. Then, there are all the various routes, with journeys to Budapest, Prague and, of course, the classic Istanbul journey all commanding different fares. On the Venice route in particular, you might even choose to tag on a few night extra to your trip , perhaps in Lake Como or the Venetian Islands.

Istanbul Grand Suite

Is food included on the Orient Express?

Yes, absolutely. Once onboard you can expect full-board gourmet dining throughout, with menus chosen to reflect type of ingredients found along the route. As such, you can expect the likes of salt marsh lamb from Mont St Michel, crayfish medallions, Italian lemon cake and some of the Continent’s finest cheeses. Breakfast is a typically European affair – fresh juice, coffee and pastries.

Dining on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Are drinks included on the Orient Express?

For the first time in 2023, wine is included with lunches and dinner onboard. And, if you fancy a drink between meals, the bar is well stocked with handpicked wines from Italy and France, which you can purchase onboard for an additional cost. Of course, as you make your way across the continent, there’s nothing like getting to know your guests over a glass or two in the iconic bar car. Expect the very best spirits, the world's finest champagnes and cocktails mixed to perfection by your expert bar tender. 

Are there showers on the Orient Express?

In the entry-level Historic cabins there is no shower and the toilets are shared, with one at each end of a carriage. However, those upgrading to a Suite or Grand Suite will have their very own en-suite bathroom, complete with toilet and shower and kitted out in rich marble with a Murano glass sink. 

Grand Suite bathroom aboard the Orient Express

What is the dress code for the Orient Express?

Glamour is the name of the game, although in the daytime smart-casual is fine. However, when it’s time for dinner, it’s also the moment to get the glad rags out – suit and tie or full black tie for the men and a cocktail dress for the women. 

Sartorial elegance onboard

Do you need to tip on the Orient Express?

Tipping on board is, of course, completely at your discretion. If you do wish to tip – and with cabin stewards on hand to cater to your every whim you may well – then Euros are the generally accepted currency.

Cabin stewards in the famous blue uniforms

Can you do a day trip on the Orient Express?

Unfortunately not. However, day trips in the UK are available on the Belmond British Pullman, coupling sightseeing tours of the likes of Bath and Canterbury with delicious on-board dining and a selection of fine wines and traditional cocktails. These trips are a real treat for a loved one or for that special birthday or anniversary .

The Belmond British Pullman

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Riding The Orient Express: What It’s Really Like On The Iconic Train

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

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• Orient Express
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Iconic, indulgent, unforgettable: these three words immediately come to mind when one thinks of the Orient Express. The service that began in 1883 exuded elegance and style and inspired writers (including Agatha Christie, of course), filmmakers, and the jet set.

While the original service no longer exists, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) was established in 1982 with a fleet of restored vintage cars and an eye toward impeccable service. It retraces many of the routes run by its predecessor, including the Venice-to-London run.

Now owned and operated by the luxury brand Belmond , the VSOE is still committed to excellent service. Riding the rails on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is an unforgettable experience. Here are a few of the reasons why.

The Train Is Truly Over-The-Top

We arrived at Venice’s Santa Lucia station in plenty of time for an 11:30 a.m. departure. The VSOE’s porters retrieved our bags from the gate and delivered them to our compartment. When it was time to proceed down the platform and approach the train, we were absolutely starstruck by the dazzling colors. All of the coaches — restored vehicles from the 1920s, ’30s, and ’50s — were painted a glossy, rich blue with gold embellishments. There is no other train like it on the rails, and we felt like royalty just walking up.

When we found our car, we were greeted by a smiling steward wearing a blue uniform adorned with shiny gold buttons. As I climbed the stairs into the train, he reached out his white-gloved hand to help me aboard. The gesture made an instant and indelible impression; I knew this was going to be a magical travel experience. Our steward walked us down the aisle to our room and asked us what lunch seating we’d prefer. We told him we’d prefer lunch at noon, and he left to attend to other passengers.

We took a few moments to poke around our compartment (our bags had already arrived and were stowed) and then explored the rest of train before lunch. Our room was small but richly appointed with dark cherry wood accents, a jacquard-upholstered sofa, a small table with a lamp, and a corner cabinet that concealed a washbasin. There was also a large picture window.

Belmond has done an incredible job of maintaining an Art Deco flair onboard the VSOE. There were three dining carriages, all accented with Lalique glass panels and rich black lacquer and impeccably set with silver, crystal, fine china, and crisp white linen. We took a quick peek at the bar car, also an Art Deco vision with brass accents, velvet curtains, chaise longues, and a baby grand piano tucked into the corner. By then, we realized it was already time for lunch. We had been on the rails for nearly 30 minutes and had hardly noticed, since the ride was so smooth.

Important: We looked the part as well. The VSOE is not the place for shorts or flip-flops! Plan on looking sharp for the trip’s duration; black tie is recommended for dinner.

The Service Is Second To None

From the moment we stepped onboard, we felt the pride and professionalism of the VSOE’s staff. We were on the train for 36 hours, and not once did we need to ask for a single thing. Every need was anticipated and provided for in an efficient yet friendly manner.

Every surface, from our compartment window to the floor in the dining room, had been polished to a gleam. The stewards all wore white gloves, and any inch of the VSOE would have passed a white-glove cleanliness inspection. The train was as clean as the whistle that blew as we pulled away from Santa Lucia.

Our steward served our in-room high tea, took care of our dining reservations, and transformed our room into sumptuous sleeping quarters while we were in the bar car after dinner. The next morning, we had newspapers waiting, and when we came back from breakfast, the room had been converted for day use. Our steward made it very clear — from the moment he showed us to the compartment until just before we disembarked — that if there was anything he could do for us, we had only to push the steward button. We never needed to, which speaks to the level of service we encountered.

We experienced the same level of care and attentiveness when taking our meals and in the bar car. The service was simply perfect.

The Dinner Is A Foodie’s Dream

We enjoyed several meals on the VSOE: a three-course luncheon, high tea in our compartment, a multicourse dinner, breakfast, an afternoon nosh, and another high tea. All meals were included in the price of our VSOE ticket. Passengers are assigned a dining car; each serves a similar menu.

The food was, in a word, exquisite. An entire team of chefs worked to prepare the food, which was French-inspired. The presentations were gorgeous, the portions were generous, and the food was of gourmet, five-star quality.

While lunch and breakfast were both delightful, dinner was the standout. The ambiance was elegant and chic, with passengers from all over the world dressed to the nines. The evening’s four courses were seasonally inspired and lavishly prepared with many indulgent ingredients, including lobster, caviar, and truffles. And like on trains anywhere else in the world, we had the chance to meet new friends while dining. We chatted with a British chemist and her nuclear physicist husband — and even caught a glimpse of a famous footballer — during dinner.

The Bar Car Is As Fantastic As It Sounds

Another spot where we spent time was 3674, the bar car. While alcoholic beverages were not included in the price of our ticket, the well-mixed drinks and the people-watching were worth the extra cost.

We headed to the bar car for a pre-dinner cocktail and returned for a nightcap before slipping back to our compartment. In addition to a full bar that churns out beautifully crafted cocktails, 3674 has a separate champagne bar stocked with vintages including Taittinger and Cristal. Still in a food coma from the sumptuous dinner, we sat in our plush wingback chairs, sipped our drinks, and looked out the window at the incredible Alps. A member of the staff played the baby grand. It was one of many pinch-me moments.

You’ll Never Forget The Sights

We were captivated by the route. From Venice, it cut across the Italian Dolomites, headed north and then west through the Alps in Austria and Switzerland, and then took us through the French countryside to Calais, France.

As the train pulled away from Venice, we looked out at little Italian towns and adjacent fields planted with grapes and other crops. As the terrain became rocky and steep, we saw that the farmers had cut their fields diagonally into the mountainside to make the most of the land. The Dolomites, which were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009, are popular with skiers, hikers, and climbers. These jagged, gorgeous peaks are showstoppers, and the lush valleys dotted with villages we passed along the way were charming. With its tall pines and tranquil meadows dotted with wildflowers, the scene looked like the backdrop for The Sound of Music . We half expected to see Maria come singing down one of the hills!

The train headed north, and after high tea, we found ourselves in Innsbruck, Austria. We briefly stepped out onto the platform to stretch our legs. The air was crisp, clear, and chilly, even though it was summer. The mountains towered over us, and most were capped in white. As we looked about, we could only imagine how busy the winter ski season must be!

One more forget-me-not moment: We stopped briefly in Switzerland, and as the train came to a halt, we lingered at an observation window opposite our compartment. We found ourselves looking straight at the most picturesque Swiss chalet, right down to the red geraniums in the window boxes. An elderly couple, both wearing thick sweaters, stepped out onto their porch to wave at the train. We saw them, grinned, and waved right back.

We slept through most of France and woke up outside Paris, where we took our breakfast on the train. Once we reached Calais, we disembarked and boarded a luxury coach for the Channel crossing. Then we boarded a British Pullman train for the short trip to London. The white cliffs of Dover were an interesting sight, but honestly, they lacked the wow factor after our incredible journey.

It’s A Bucket-List Item Worth Repeating

For so many reasons, we would take this trip again. Our experience onboard the VSOE was everything we could have imagined and more. It was not a point A to point B trip — you’re certainly not paying premium for simple transportation. Rather, the VSOE provided a trip back in time to an era where glitz and glamour reigned supreme. Getting there — in high fashion and fabulous style — was more than half the adventure.

Singles, twins, and suites on a variety of routes are available on the VSOE; you can find more information, including 2019 schedules and pricing, here .

Communication done well has always been Erika’s career focus. She’s served as a publicist and PR expert for several non-profit organizations based in St. Louis. Prior to that, she was an Emmy Award–winning television newscast producer.

When she’s not training for her next race or packing for another trip, you’ll find Erika hanging out with her husband, son, and personal zoo, which includes a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, two cats, and a grumpy pygmy hedgehog.

The The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: 13 Things You Need to Know Before Riding this European Train

You’ve seen it in films and read about it in fiction and non-fiction books. It is a larger than life concept that is a mystery to most that haven’t quite had the means over the last 100 years to take a trip within this curious vessel. Yet, the Orient Express conjures images of Hollywood starlets and covert spies as they travel for pleasure and to get to their next mission or film set.

Today, the vintage concepts have been reinvented with careful attention from designers and craftsmen to keep the originality from the Orient express of the 1920’s and 30’s. This endeavor is literally woven into the fabric of this iconic train. You can take a short trip on this train to realize the essence of what it is all about or you can schedule a grand affair and spend tens of thousands on the trip of a lifetime. Whatever itinerary you book, on thing is certain. You will never take another trip quite like it.

• 1 Is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express still running?
• 2 Where does the Venice Simplon Orient-Express leave from and go?
• 3 How long does the Orient-Express take?
• 4 Does the Orient-Express go through the tunnel?
• 5 Do you get your own bathroom on the Orient-Express?
• 6 Are the drinks free on the Orient Express?
• 7 How do you shower on the Orient Express?
• 8 What are the amenities offered on the Orient Express?
• 9 Can you have dinner on the Orient Express?
• 10 What do you wear on the Orient Express?
• 11.0.1 Twin Room
• 11.0.2 Grand Suite
• 12 How much does the Orient Express cost?
• 13 Is the Orient Express worth it?

Is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express still running?

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is still running and has been since its inception in 1929. Routes and carriages have changed over the years to reflect passenger’s changing needs in comfort. However, the classic 1920’s and 30’s feel and decor has been preserved and restored and lovingly cared for by craftsmen at the top of their field. This gives the traveler a trip that will feel very much as it did during The Golden Age of Travel.

Luxurious amenities were popular with wealthy tourists, dignitaries ad even spies from its inception. Today, anyone that has the means can enjoy a ride on the Orient Express and experience the grandeur of this work of art upon the rails.

Where does the Venice Simplon Orient-Express leave from and go?

The Orient Express can start in London, where you will leave from Victoria Station. From here, you will stop in Paris where you can disembark or continue on to Verona or Venice. However, you can also start your trip in Venice and travel to Prague, Vienna and Budapest and back to Paris or London. There are many itineraries in which to choose when traveling on the Orient Express.

Occasionally there are even routes that run from Krakow, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Rome, Stockholm and sometimes even Istanbul. These are only scheduled a few times a year, so make sure you do your homework and book the right trip.

How long does the Orient-Express take?

This all depends on your route. The most popular route, however, is the route from London to Venice. This route will take two days, with one night spent on board the train. You can also take a return trip that can give you four days on board.

Does the Orient-Express go through the tunnel?

The Orient Express’s itineraries take you across the English Channel in order to continue its journey in Europe. However, the train itself does not cross into the tunnel. The train carriages are right at 100 years old, therefore the train can not cross the English Channel by tunnel. Travelers will take a coach and onto a shuttle. When passengers have completed the tunnel, they will then load onto the Orient Express once more.

Do you get your own bathroom on the Orient-Express?

Each cabin has a vanity compete with sink and mirror. However, unless you book a grand suite, you will need to use a shared bathroom located at the end of each carriage. To preserve the historical feel of the cabins a toilet and shower could not be included in Twin and Cabin Suites.

Are the drinks free on the Orient Express?

Drinks are free on the Orient Express. In fact, wine parings have recently been introduced with lunch and diner service while on board. Complimentary tea, coffee, sodas and water are also included with your service. There is a bar car ‘3674’ that also has anything you may desire outside of what is offered with your package.

How do you shower on the Orient Express?

Unfortunately, there are no showers for the Twin and Cabin Suites on board the Orient Express. However, if you book a Grand Suite you will enjoy your own en suite amenities including a toilet, shower and vanity.

What are the amenities offered on the Orient Express?

Amenities abound on the Orient Express. Porters and attendants are there for your every whim. Lavish chef inspired dinners, lunches and even mid-night brunches are served between times in your decadent room designed with period art deco decor. Visits to the Bar Car ‘3674’ will give you time to converse with other passengers as you sip on your favorite cocktail and request a number from the pianist.

Can you have dinner on the Orient Express?

Not only is dinner served on the Orient Express, but a host of lunches, teas and champagne brunches and receptions. You will receive the best five star service and cuisine on the Orient Express. The chefs aboard the Orient Express ensure that only the finest regional, seasonal ingredients are used from the areas in which you will be exploring. A sample menu might include: Pumpkin soup, Filet of beef with boletus and wine reduction sauce, Lobster vol-au-vent with white pudding and spinach, a selection of fine cheeses and Pear Belle-Helene for dessert.

What do you wear on the Orient Express?

Overdressing is not a concern when you are a passenger on the Orient Express. In fact, you could wear a tux or a jeweled evening dress and you would be in good company at dinner. During the day smart attire will do. No jeans, t-shirts or flip-flops. Have fun with your clothing and even consider donning clothing form the era of The Golden Age or Travel as if you are in character.

What are the rooms like on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express?

There are three classes of rooms on board the train. Each is luxurious and befitting to adorn the name of the Orient Express.

By day this elegant room with all you need is a quiet respite from visiting with other travelers and eating with friends. The opulent varnished woodwork of the era welcomes you to rest and relax. By night the comfortable seating converts to a bed complete with fresh linens.

Double Cabin

Have your choice of a double bed or two twin beds, a private en suite marble vanity room complete with complimentary kimono and slippers.

Grand Suite

The Grand Suite includes a decadent living quarter, bedroom area and en suite marble bathroom complete with shower and toilet. You will also enjoy 24-hour butler service, free-flowing champagne and private in-room dining.

How much does the Orient Express cost?

There are so many various itineraries in which to choose on the Orient Express. Choose one that match your desires and budget. Journeys start at $5,600 per person for a twin cabin and can reach as high as $14,400 per person if you book the Grand Suite. The most expensive booking is the Paris to Vienna Return with the Grand Suite. This trip will cost $30,800 per person and will take four days of luxurious travel in a round trip itinerary.

There are certainly other cheaper trains in Europe like the Caledonian Sleeper train , but this train is considered top of the line.

Is the Orient Express worth it?

If you are looking to go on a grand trip that will be the highlight of all trips ever taken, the Venice Simplon Orient-Express is the one to go on. You can backpack across Europe, drive the landscape or fly from one destination to another. Yet, the most unique and unforgettable experience will always be on a train. Taking the Orient Express will most definitely be worth every effort you have taken for this trip of a lifetime.

Wendy Edwards

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The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The original Orient Express passenger train has been re-created in all its glory for you to enjoy today.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has become perhaps the most famous train in the world & is a must for any serious traveller – Celebrate a special anniversary or birthday in style. Despite the painstaking renovation of vintage carriages, guests can still rely on the highest levels of personal service and outstanding cuisine. Relax in the civilised bar carriage and meet other like-minded travellers.

Take a UK day trip aboard the Belmond British Pullman and enjoy the same glorious luxury vintage carriages and lovingly prepared food – all provided with the exacting standards of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

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Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Destinations

Current Venice Simplon-Orient-Express destinations are London, Paris, Venice, Verona, Istanbul, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Florence, Rome, Portofino, Innsbruck, Geneva, Amsterdam, Brussels, Albertville, Moûtiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

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Venice simplon-orient-express train information.

Find out more about the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Train, including cabin configurations, dining carriages, the bar car, the champagne bar and the colourful history surrounding the most famous train in the World.

Cabins and Suites

Choose from a Historical Cabin, Suite or Grand Suite.

Find out more, including sample menus from the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The Bar Car

Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail in the train’s bar car complete with pianist!

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Bar Car

Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail on board the train and soak up the unique atmosphere in the bar car complete with a baby grand piano! Let the head mixologist, Walter Nisi, create a cocktail for you to enjoy including the “Guilty Twelve” which is a secret combination of eleven spirits plus champagne invented by Walter to celebrate the 12 characters in Agatha Christie’s famous book – Murder on the Orient Express.

You can also head to the champagne bar to enjoy a glass or two from a selection of chilled vintage Champagnes.

After dinner, return to the bar car where the convivial atmosphere continues until the very last client call it a night. The after-dinner cocktail of choice is the Pousse Café du Train.

The Bar Car (3674) was built in France in 1931 and based at the Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris. After the war it ran as part of the Sud Express from Paris to Irún on the Spanish border and from Paris to Toulouse in Le Capitole.

Today it boasts a beautiful, Art Nouveau-style interior by Gérard Gallet and even manages to incorporate a baby grand piano within the carriage.

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The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Journey

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Orient Express FAQs

We often get asked questions about travelling aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express , and we love to answer our customers queries. So to help you decide if the Venice Simplon Orient Express is right for you, we’ve detailed some useful information to make sure you are totally prepared for your journey on the world’s most luxurious train – Venice Simplon Orient Express. We’ve started by asking our loyal travellers and customers what they think is most important to know before journeying on the Venice Simplon Orient Express, and below are some of these questions and answers, which we hope you will find useful.

For detailed information on our unique Orient Express Special Offer trip, Visit our Orient Express Special Offer page.

See below for information and details around the Venice Simplon Orient Express FAQs – of course if you’d like to speak with an expert , we’re only a phone call away on 01347 825292.

Most asked orient express questions:, dress code – what do i wear on the venice simplon orient express.

• What languages do the Venice Simplon Orient Express train staff speak?

What currency do I need on board the Venice Simplon Orient Express?

Does the venice simplon orient express leave from london, how do we cross the channel, how long will my venice simplon orient express journey last, how much luggage can i bring on the venice simplon orient express, do i need to give the stewards and staff aboard the venice simplon orient express tips, are there toilets and showers in the cabins of the venice simplon orient express, should i purchase insurance for the venice simplon orient express journey, how do i travel between my hotel and the venice simplon orient express station in venice, what are the fares for children aboard the venice simplon orient express, can i smoke onboard the venice simplon orient express, does the venice simplon orient express have air-conditioning.

To put it simply, we don’t believe it is possible to overdress when travelling aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express.

Starting with dressing for dinner, gentlemen should always wear a suit and tie or dinner suit, whilst ladies should dress in smart attire.

That said, a great deal of guests enjoy the true sense of propriety aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express and wear a formal dinner jacket and black tie for gentlemen and evening dress for ladies to compliment their evening meal.

During the rest of the day, the dress code is smart-casual. To be more specific, this can be translated as trousers and a shirt for gentlemen at lunch (jacket and tie are optional) and smart clothing for ladies. It goes without saying that jeans are not suitable at any time.

With the above in mind, by dressing in a style befitting this historic journey, you will fit in perfectly with fellow passengers and certainly look the part as you travel across Europe in style.

What languages do the Venice Simplon Orient Express staff speak?

The majority of staff and stewards are fluent in English, French and Italian aboard the train.

The Venice Simplon Orient Express quotes all prices in Euros and we’d always recommend carrying a small amount of Euro notes to cover purchases on-board.

That said, in light of being truly accommodating and a pillar of international luxury, the majority of major currencies will be happily accepted aboard the train.

Exchange rates are displayed in the Bar Car and, as you would expect, all major credit cards such as Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club etc. are likewise accepted.

The Venice Simplon Orient Express will also take travellers’ cheques and Eurocheques.

No, the Venice Simplon Orient Express departs from Calais. The UK leg of the journey is aboard the British Pullman which is operated by Belmond as part of your Venice Simplon Orient Express experience .

As mentioned, you will travel on the Belmond British Pullman carriages of the Venice Simplon Orient Express train from London to Folkestone.

We’ve detailed below the journey from England to France. The British Pullman will take you to Folkestone. Your luggage (with the exception of hand luggage) is looked after by Belmond staff throughout your journey.

You then board luxury coaches, with the assistance of hostesses. The coaches all have tables, toilets, snacks and soft drinks for travellers from the station to the Eurotunnel terminal where there are further facilities and retail shops to browse.

The coaches then drive you onto the Eurotunnel train.

At Calais there is a 5-minute drive to the waiting Venice Simplon Orient Express .

If travelling from Calais to London, the process is conducted in reverse, but otherwise the same.

The Venice Simplon Orient Express takes a number of routes across Europe, and a stay on the Venice Simplon Orient Express train can last from one to several days.

The traditional route between London and Venice (in either direction) takes two days, with one night on board. This is by far the most popular route.

You can browse our other Venice Simplon Orient Express holidays for details of other departures and timings.

Of course the Venice Simplon Orient Express is designed for travellers, and is equipped with luggage racks in cabins. That said, there are obvious space constraints and as such there are limitations to each passenger’s luggage allowance.

To travel on the Venice Simplon Orient Express each passenger is asked to bring no more than one item of suitable hand luggage (a plane cabin bag size), one suit carrier or overnight bag, to be retained in your cabin, and one suitcase to be stored in the baggage car. It’s also important to note that the baggage car will not be accessible until your destination is reached.

By the very nature of the tipping process, we’d always suggest that tips should only be given at your own absolute discretion. We would not suggest it is necessary, though if you feel that a particular service warrants a tip, the staff would certainly appreciate the gesture.

The Venice Simplon Orient Express is a faithful recreation of the 1920s original train and Belmond have ensured that travelling on board is an experience exactly as it would have been during its original luxurious journeys.

With this in mind, the standard cabins aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express do not have en suite facilities, and as per the original train, toilets are located at the end of each carriage.

However, introduced in 2018, the Grand Suites benefit from private ensuite facilities comprising a private bathroom with shower. You can discover more about them here .

Each of the cabins does have a small vanity unit with basin, and then there are toilet facilities at the end of each carriage. Please do note however that there are no baths or showers aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express unless you are travelling in on of the aforementioned Grand Suites.

The authenticity of the experience extends to every detail, where even the heating in your cabin is powered by a traditional coal stove at the end of each carriage.

It is a condition of booking a holiday with Planet Rail that you have adequate travel insurance for the duration of your holiday.

All of our holidays from London to Venice or Venice to London aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express include transfer by water taxi from Venice Santa Lucia station to your Venice hotel on arrival, or when departing, from your hotel to the station.

The fares for children as part of holidays vary, but the basic Venice Simplon Orient Express fares are as follows and are based on the ages of the children on the date of travel:

• up to the child’s 2nd birthday – free;
• 2 to 12 yrs old – 20% discount

There is a no smoking policy aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express both for the continental journey and also aboard the Belmond British Pullman when travelling in the UK

The Venice Simplon Orient Express is a truly historic train, and as we’ve already mentioned, is a faithful example of 1920’s luxury.

Luxurious as this is, air-conditioning was not available even to the luxury travellers of the Venice Simplon Orient Express. However, as of 2017, The Venice Simplon Orient Express can afford this particular luxury, and all carriages are now fully air conditioned. In addition, windows do open and all cabins include fans for cooling and air circulation.

Have we missed something? Contact us to let us know

Call 01347 825292 to chat with an expert or for any other questions you might have about the Venice Simplon Orient Express or any of our other train holidays .

FURTHER INFORMATION

Art at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna

The Giant’s Causeway

Two iconic cities to explore

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• Luxury trains

The Orient Express

Legendary train.

This is the story of a train born from a dream, one that defies time.

Beginning in 2025, The Orient Express will invite travelers to relive the legend aboard 17 original Orient Express cars dating back to the 1920s and 1930s, adorned with exceptional décor – a set of cars formerly known as the ‘Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express.’

Reimagined by architect Maxime d’Angeac. An original design, inspired by the 1920s, created with the codes of contemporary luxury.

Maxime d'Angeac: a passionate architect

Inside the Orient Express train

The bar car, stay on track..., the dining car, orient express revelation.

The first liveable experience into the future Orient Express train, reinterpreted by architect Maxime d’Angeac. The hereunder video is a journey to discover the Bar Car and Restaurant Car as well as the train’s suites and corridors.

Accommodations

The presidential suite, the essence of the myth.

Occupying an entire train car of the former Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient Express, the Presidential Suite invites travelers to step inside through a private entrance.

How to Book Italy's Orient Express La Dolce Vita Train

F or more than a century, the Orient Express has captured travelers' imaginations as a grand European hotel on rails, shuttling high society from Paris to Istanbul since 1883. The luxury train became the stuff of legend (as the "spies' express" ) and pop culture, be it in Bram Stoker's Dracula or Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express , while setting the standard for elevated transcontinental travel.

Sadly, the luxury of slow travel couldn't compete with high-speed rail and budget flights, reports The Guardian , prompting the final run of the original Orient Express line in 2009.

That is, until more recently. In the past several years, the legendary locomotive experience has witnessed a rebirth thanks to luxury hospitality brands that are breathing new life into the iconic rail journeys-including the forthcoming La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Italy, a joint venture of French hotel firm Accor and real-estate investment company Arsenale, together with Italy's Trenitalia Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and Treni Turistici Italiani .

Starting in spring 2025, La Dolce Vita Orient Express will bring passengers to regions throughout Italy on itineraries that run between two and three days. There are nine itineraries to choose from (depending on the time of the year):

• Venice and Portofino
• Venice and Siena
• The Italian Trans-Siberian: Matera and Palena
• Rome to Montalcino
• Rome to Monferrato
• Southern Italy: Maratea and Palermo
• Palermo to Rome
• Sicily and the Mediterranean

Travelers can choose between 12 deluxe cabins and 18 suites, with prices starting at $3,800 per person for a deluxe cabin and at $5,100 per person for a suite.

As for the concept for the new La Dolce Vita Orient Express train, "The train pays tribute to the years of La Dolce Vita, a fantastic period of history, [and] to the artistic and cultural fervor of Italy in the 1960s," according to a press release. Dimorestudio dreamed up the midcentury-inspired design aboard the train's renovated carriages-think pops of terra-cotta paint, tongue-and-groove ceilings, and brass accents galore. Dining aboard La Dolce Vita trains will be a sophisticated affair as well: Travelers will enjoy exclusive recipes created by master Italian chefs who use local ingredients, while sipping award-winning Italian wine. There will, of course, also be a lounge and bar, as well as entertainment, "all boldly celebrating the art, design, and creativity of the 1960s and 1970s," the release stated.

Upon departure from Italy's Rome Ostiense station, La Dolce Vita passengers will have access to their own lounge and a "relaxing pre-boarding experience."

The trains will cross about 10,000 miles of railway lines, 4,400 of which are not electrified and are historic routes traversing less-frequented parts of the countryside. Passengers will get their share of landscape gazing (alpine mountains and sandy southern beaches) and of metropolitan centers like Venice and Rome. "We are thrilled to officially open the doors to a new era of travel with La Dolce Vita Orient Express. This endeavor embodies the essence of exquisite exploration, where sophistication meets adventure," Orient Express CEO Gilda Perez-Alvarado said in a press statement.

Not to be confused with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express , which is currently owned by Belmond, part of LVMH, and runs from London to Venice, La Dolce Vita Orient Express is the latest incarnation of the original train line.

How to book La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Starting on April 2, 2024, travelers in the United States and Canada can call (833) 661-3080 to book their journey with La Dolce Vita Orient Express. And as of April 24, 2024, bookings will be available online on the La Dolce Vita website .

This story was originally published in December 2021; it was updated on March 19, 2024, to include current information.

Then and now: Inside the legendary Orient Express train

• The Orient Express, a famed historic train, is being revived by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
• The luxury overnight Belmond train uses restored carriages from the original fleet.
• Historic and present-day photos show how the iconic train looked then and now.

The Orient Express is perhaps the most well-known train in history.

As the first transcontinental express train in Europe, the Orient Express served the rich and royal on overnight journeys from 1883 to 1977, according to Britannica . On board were fine dining cars, bars, and extravagantly decorated cabins.

In 1982, this golden age of rail travel was revived by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express , a luxury, overnight Belmond train made up of restored carriages from the original fleet.

According to the company's website , the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express operates 60 routes in 17 cities. And I got to experience it for myself in November 2023.

The night was magical. I felt like I had traveled back in time. After my trip, I was curious about how similar it was to the original ride back in the day. So, I compared photos from my trip to historical images of the Orient Express.

Turns out, it's pretty close.

From the outside, the train looks nearly identical.

According to a pamphlet given to guests on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the train's 17 carriages were built in the 1920s and 1930s. Some were purchased at auctions, others served different train lines, and all were restored to pristine condition.

On board, the elegant dress code is still in effect.

A hundred years ago, Orient Express passengers adhered to a strict dress code , according to National Geographic . In the evenings, guests wore their finest attire.

On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the rules remain. In communal cars, passengers must dress in "smart attire," meaning no shorts, jeans, T-shirts, or sneakers. Formal eveningwear is requested at night.

During my trip, I found that the dress code enhanced the 1920s vibe — especially at night when passengers wore tuxedos and sparkling gowns.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express preserved the cabins' original models.

The historic cabin sleeping cars are the oldest in the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express fleet. During my stay, the glossy wood finishings and velvet details made me feel like I was in an old movie.

The fine dining cars have similar details to the original.

According to National Geographic, the original Orient Express was known for its elegant dining cars. White tablecloths, sparkling dishes, and glass lamps added another layer of luxury to the artistically decorated carriages.

On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, there are three dining cars. Each has its own color palette and distinct design details, from intricate wooden marquetry to carved glass windows.

While unique, the restaurants feel cohesive because they all have the same elevated dishes, tablecloths, and lamps.

The bar car got a makeover.

Built in 1931, the bar car on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express was originally a dining car. So, the train line redesigned its interior.

With a navy blue color palette, I thought it resembled the train's exterior.

Stepping on board feels like traveling back in time.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express brought these iconic cars back to life while preserving the interior details from its time.

My entire trip felt like living in the golden age of train travel and inspired me to learn more about its history.

If I ever have the pleasure of riding this train again, I'll appreciate its traditional culture and carriages even more.

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