orient express day trips

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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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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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.

Take a look into a journey on board this famous train.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Journey

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Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, the luxury vintage train to venice.

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)

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

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Belmond British Pullman

Your initial glance heightens the anticipation: carriages gleaming in umber and cream livery, stewards resplendent in their immaculate uniforms, while they wait for you to board the train., video: belmond british pullman.

This is the Belmond British Pullman (sister train of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express) , the most stately of trains. It's like stepping back in time. Because, over a century ago, George Mortimer Pullman, the originator, recognised that his passengers would be accustomed to unrestrained luxury and comfort. And, in order to accommodate them, he issued orders to the finest craftsmen of the day to construct in his words "Palaces on Wheels". His instructions were honoured in every respect.

Your steward will show you to your reserved seat in one of eleven carriages, each an original masterpiece from the 1920's or 1930's with their own name and unique personality.

On board passengers are seated in either ‘coupé’s (small compartments seating up to four people) or in the open car mostly at tables for two. There is a limited number of single tables and of tables for three persons in the open car.

The train can carry up to 226 passengers and consists of 10 parlour cars, of which 5 are kitchen cars, and a service car. The carriages seat between 20 and 26 passengers in each.

Superb Service

The service, like your journey, will be calm and unruffled. Settle back into your deeply comfortable seat and be transported into another age while Britain's glorious countryside unfolds past your window.

Step aboard and return to an age of luxury, comfort and glamour, when service was always impeccable and life was lived at a less hurried pace; the quintessential Venice Simplon-Orient-Express experience. Plush upholstery awaits, surrounded by intricate marquetry, mosaic floors, solid brass fittings and softly-shaded lamps. Your table is set with starched white cloths, shining silver and glittering glass. The cuisine is a delight and accompanied by wines judiciously chosen to complement the fine food.

Boarding Belmond British Pullman

Attentive service on board

Looking forward to a luxurious day out

Each carriage is an original masterpiece from the 1920s or 30's, resplendent in rare timber veneers, custom-loomed fabrics and solid brass work. Comprised of original carriages from the golden age of travel, lovingly restored with breathtaking attention to detail, each car is a symphony of intricate marquetry, inlaid mosaic floors, sparkling crystal and beautiful art deco design. Each carriage has its own name, its unique personality and its own colourful history. Even its own secrets.

The Belmond British Pullman matches destinations to your tastes; feed your artistic senses with music and magical works of art. Feast your eyes on an historic, horticultural, architectural and literary banquet. And, of course, pamper your taste palate with the finest food and wines.

Special Occasions

What better way to celebrate any occasion than a Pullman experience of a lifetime for you or someone special? These sparkling new excursions have been thoughtfully created to ensure you enjoy the sights and delights of both Britain and the Belmond British Pullman .

In their time, they have witnessed political and financial intrigue, uproarious celebrations and scandalous liaisons.

In your own time, experience this magnificent train and the very texture of history to the full.

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Venice Simplon-Orient Express

Legendary train with a rich history

Travelling from London, Paris or Istanbul

Original coaches from 1920, carefully restored

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Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Prices

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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.

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Please contact our specialist luxury train travel customer service team, who will be more than happy to talk you through the options above, how to book, check prices, availability, or arrange a gift voucher to your requirements. Telephone: 023 9387 1007 or click here for instant live chat help All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. Orient Express is a registered trade mark owned by Societe Nationale Des Chemins De Fer Francais SNCF.

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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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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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5 interesting day excursions from Moscow

Sergeyev Posad.

To get a glimpse of Russia’s vastness and diversity, you don’t have to travel all the way to Siberia. A few places are easily accessible for day trips from Moscow

Sergeyev Posad

Located 70 km (43 miles) northeast of Moscow, the town of Sergeyev Posad is home to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, the most important Russian Orthodox monastery in the country.

Few places in the country demonstrate the architectural journey that Russian churches undertook from the 14 th century to the present day. St. Sergius of Radonezh, a venerated Russian saint, founded the monastery in 1345. Numerous structures were built in the compound in the subsequent centuries.

Trains leave every 30 minutes for Sergeyev Posad from Moscow’s Yaroslavskiy Railway Station. You can also take Bus Number 388 from the VDNKh metro station.

A pilgrimage spot for fans of Anton Chekhov , Melikhovo, 74 km (46 miles) from Moscow, is the former estate of the great playwright.

Chekhov moved to the estate in 1892 from Moscow and lived there till 1899. This is where he wrote classics such as The Seagull and his famous trilogy: The Man in a Case, About Love, and Gooseberries.

“My estate’s not much, but the surroundings are magnificent,” Chekhov wrote about Melikhovo.  The estate has been converted into a museum where the main house has preserved the 19 th century ambience. You can visit Chekhov’s study as well as the cottage where he wrote The Seagull.

Each May the estate hosts a weeklong theatre festival.

Suburban trains (elechtrichkas) run regularly from Moscow’s Kursky Railway Station to the town of Chekhov. From Chekhov take bus number 25 to the estate.

Nobody would ever visit the otherwise nondescript town of Monino, 33 km (20.5 miles) east of Moscow, if it didn’t have one of the world’s greatest open-air aviation museums.

The Central Air Force Museum, which is in Monino’s airfield, has 173 Russian aircraft and over 100 aircraft engines. The facility was an airbase from 1932 to 1956, when it was converted into a museum.

Along with aircraft from the Second World War, the Mi-12 Homer double rotor helicopter and the Bartini Beriev VVA-14 amphibious aircraft, the museum also has exhibits related to military aviation history such as the uniform of captured U2 pilot Gary Powers.

There’s no better way to learn about the history of Russian military aviation than taking a guided tour conducted by ex-pilots. Media reports indicate that the museum will be closed to the public from July 2016, so make a dash for it, if you’re a military aviation enthusiast.

Suburban trains (elechtrichkas) leave regularly for Monino from the Yaroslavskiy Railway Station.  The airfield is surrounded by defense installations and is not a walking distance from the station. Take a taxi from the station to avoid bus routes that pass through military areas.

You can also take bus number 322 to Monino from the Partizanskaya Metro Station.

The historic city, which is at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosi rivers, is about 250 km (155 miles) northeast of Moscow. A part of the Golden Ring , the historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city center, which is compact and can easily be explored by foot, has around 140 protected monuments. The riverfront houses several old and famous monasteries.

The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, which is believed to have been founded in the 12 th century, is one of the city’s most well preserved religious complexes. Visitors are allowed to enter the 32-meter high bell tower, which was built in the mid-16 th century. The views are absolutely stunning from the top.

There are several nice cafes with views of the river in the city center.

Long-distance trains depart regularly for Yaroslavl from the Yaroslavskiy Railway Station.  It is a four-hour journey on most trains, although there is one fast service.

For a daytrip, you should ideally take a train from the capital at 7:35 am (reaches Yaroslavl at 10:51) and take one back at 7:32 pm (reaches Moscow at 10:53 pm).

If a find a journey to Yaroslavl too tiring for a day trip, a good alternative is the Tver , which is 162 km (100 miles) north of Moscow.

The city, which is at the confluence of the Tvertsa and Volga rivers, was founded in 1135.  Most of the ancient buildings were destroyed by a fire in 1763, after which it was redesigned for Empress Catherine the Great as a “road palace” to rest on the journey between Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The riverfront has a nice collection of 18 th and 19 th century building and churches. The city center is also compact and can easily be explored by foot.

One of the most popular gathering places in the city is the square housing the statue to Afanasy Nikitin, one of Tver’s greatest sons.  Nikitin, a 15 th century merchant was one of the first Europeans to travel to and document his visit to India.

Another popular hangout is the embankment from where you can see the Starovolzhsky Bridge.

Trains regularly depart for Tver from the Leningradskiy Station. The faster trains take a little over an hour to get to Tver.

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RUSSIA TRAVEL PACKAGES A selection of Russian tours to take as they are or adjust to your needs.

THE GOLDEN RING Visit the heart of ancient Russia. What is the Golden Ring?

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MOSCOW DAY TRIPS Get out of Moscow and take a relaxing trip to some of these places

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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

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Day trip to Suzdal from Moscow: transport, sights, maps and tips

 DAY TRIP TO SUZDAL

  Suzdal is one of the most popular destinations on the Golden Ring and the whole city is often described as an open-air museum.  The city has no railway station and practically no heavy industry, meaning that is has preserved its provincial charm and a great deal of architectural monuments.

  From Moscow, Suzdal is not as easy to get to as Sergiev Posad (the closest Golden Ring city to the capital) but it is worth going the extra distance as Suzdal provides more of a contrast from Moscow.  If you make use of high-speed trains it is possible and not too demanding to visit for even just a day, but of course spending the night there is recommended to soak in the atmosphere or to combine it with a visit to neighbouring Vladimir.  As the city is a very popular tourist destination you will have no problem finding a cafe or guesthouse there.  There is practically no public transport in the city, but the city is small and most sights are located relatively close to each other.

Getting There and Back

Via Vladimir

Direct to Suzdal

  Buses directly to Suzdal leave from Moscow’s Schyolkovsky Bus Station.  There are about 9 buses a day and it takes around 4½ hours depending on traffic.  The buses stop at Vladimir too.  Using this option will mean a rather exhausting day trip.

Orientation and Main Sights

  Suzdal is a relatively small city and it is not difficult to walk around the city to see most of the sights.  

  The main road in the city is Ulitsa Lenina which runs north across the whole city.  

  The main sights of Suzdal are located either on or just off this road, including the two main sights: the Suzdal Kremlin in the south and the Spaso-Yevfimiev Monastery in the north.

  More information about Suzdal can be found on our Suzdal  pages.

  Suzdal is famous for its medovukha (mead) which is an alcoholic drink made out of honey.  It can be drunk either hot or cold, meaning it perfect in both summer and winter, and you will find it on practically every menu in the city.  There are various flavours of the drink available and even a non-alcoholic version.  In addition to medovukha, you can find all traditional Russian souvenirs in the city and there is a big souvenir market on Torgovaya Ploschad.

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