All You Want to Know
About Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a meticulously restored fleet of original 1920s Art Deco carriages, operated by Belmond and recognised the world over as a living legend of luxury rail travel. It travels across Europe, connecting cities such as London, Paris, Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Istanbul, passing through countries including England, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.

There are several itineraries to choose from, ranging from one to five nights. The classic one-night journey links Paris and Venice or Verona through the Swiss Alps. Other one-night routes connect Paris with Budapest or Vienna, and Paris or Vienna with Prague. The ultimate adventure is the five-night Paris to Istanbul journey, which combines nights on board with hotel stays in Budapest and Bucharest, and visits to Peles Castle in Sinaia and a Danube cruise. A series of multi-night Grand Tour routes — spanning Italy, France, Belgium and the Netherlands — is also available for 2026 and 2027.

Fares start from £3,785 per person sharing for a Historic Cabin on the Paris–Prague route, rising to £3,885 for the Paris–Venice route and £4,275 for Paris–Budapest/Vienna. The five-night Paris–Istanbul journey starts from £17,500 per person sharing in a Historic Cabin, while Grand Suite and Suite fares vary significantly by route. Prices depend on cabin grade, route, season and party size — contact Palace Trains to confirm the fare for your chosen departure: call toll-free 1-800-724-5120, internationally on +1-786-408-0610, or email travel@palacetours.com.

There are three main cabin grades. Historic Cabins (formerly Twin Cabins) are elegantly appointed day lounges that convert into cosy bedrooms with upper and lower berths, crisp linen, bathrobes and Temple Spa amenities. Suites offer a floor-level double or twin bed and a private ensuite bathroom. Grand Suites represent the pinnacle of on-board luxury, each with a private bathroom with shower, a double bed, a separate living area inspired by a destination city, unlimited Champagne, transfers within a 20-mile radius, and the option of private in-suite dining. A sole-use supplement applies if you wish to occupy a Historic Cabin alone.

Most fares include all meals served on board — dinner, lunch, brunch, breakfast served in your cabin, and afternoon tea — prepared fresh by skilled French chefs in three individually styled restaurant cars. Entertainment, including live piano in the Art Nouveau bar car, and access to the Lalique Champagne Bar and Lounge are part of the on-board experience. Inclusions can vary by journey and cabin grade — for example, Grand Suite guests receive unlimited Champagne and transfers — so we recommend contacting Palace Trains to confirm exactly what is covered for your chosen departure.

The train runs across an extended season from spring through autumn, with departures available in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. There are currently 23 upcoming departures between July 2026 and October 2027. To see the full departure calendar or check availability for a specific route, visit the train's page on the Palace Trains website or contact us directly on 1-800-724-5120 or at travel@palacetours.com.

The train is operated by Belmond, who carry forward the extraordinary legacy begun by entrepreneur Jim Sherwood. After SNCF retired the Orient Express in 1977, Sherwood tracked down original 1920s carriages across Europe — complete with exquisite Art Deco marquetry and Lalique glass — and relaunched the restored train from London Victoria to Venice in 1982, almost exactly a century after its first passenger journey. Today the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express remains unique for its authentic period carriages, white-glove service, theatrical fine dining and the irreplaceable romance of travelling through Europe's greatest landscapes at a gentler, more gracious pace.

Palace Trains specialises in luxury rail travel and can arrange your Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journey from start to finish. Call us toll-free on 1-800-724-5120, reach us internationally or via WhatsApp on +1-786-408-0610, or email travel@palacetours.com. We'll confirm availability, advise on the best cabin for your needs, and handle all the details of your booking.

The Paris to Istanbul journey is the ultimate Orient Express adventure — a five-night epic retracing the train's most historic and storied route. It combines nights on board with a stay at the Hilton Castle Budapest (including a private guided city tour), a stop at Sinaia's magnificent Peles Castle, a night at the JW Marriott Grand Hotel in Bucharest with a Danube cruise, and a passage through the Bulgarian countryside before arriving in Istanbul. This departure runs once a year in each direction; for 2026 the Paris–Istanbul date is 25 May 2026. Contact Palace Trains early to secure a cabin, as this journey is in exceptional demand.

Dining on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is, as the General Manager describes it, theatre. Guests dress for the occasion and are seated in one of three individually styled restaurant cars — Côte d'Azur, Étoile du Nord or L'Oriental — where skilled French chefs prepare all dishes fresh on board using the finest ingredients taken on at stops along the route. Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in the comfort of your own cabin. After dinner, the Art Nouveau bar car — centred on a baby grand piano — and the Lalique Champagne Bar and Lounge provide the perfect setting to round off an unforgettable evening.