The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the world's most storied luxury train, operated by Belmond (part of LVMH) using meticulously restored 1920s and 1930s Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits carriages. The train carries 54 guests in three accommodation categories across its glossy blue-and-gold heritage carriages: 40 Historic Cabins, 8 Suites, and 6 individually named Grand Suites — Paris, Venice, Istanbul, Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. In 2025, Belmond added L'Observatoire, a 31m² full-carriage suite designed by world-renowned artist JR, with a freestanding bathtub, secret tearoom, library, and an opening oculus in the bedroom ceiling. It starts from GBP 80,000 per journey for two.
The train operates March through December on routes connecting London, Paris, Venice, Rome, Florence, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam, Brussels, Cannes, Innsbruck, Verona, and Istanbul. The flagship Paris to Venice journey crosses the Alps via the Arlberg or Gotthard passes, while the legendary Paris to Istanbul route retraces the original Orient Express path through Budapest, Bucharest, and the Black Sea coast over five nights with three nights onboard. Dining is orchestrated by Chef Jean Imbert across three Art Deco restaurant cars — Etoile du Nord (1926), Cote d'Azur (1929, featuring Rene Lalique glass panels), and L'Oriental (1927) — with a midnight brunch served in Bar Car 3674, accompanied by a resident pianist.
For 2026, Belmond has introduced new Italian routes including the Amalfi Coast for the first time, plus expanded service to Portofino, with multi-night "Villeggiatura by Train" packages combining the train journey with stays at Belmond properties. Palace Tours offers the full range of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journeys with competitive pricing and expert guidance on cabin selection, route choice, and seasonal timing.
Traverse six countries in luxury aboard the Orient-Express. Enjoy exquisite cuisine and stunning views while staying in five-star hotels.
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Enjoy the romance and charm of the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice overnight. As your train travels between these iconic cities, enjoy fine cuisine in one of...
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Enjoy the romance and charm of the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express during its journey from Venice to Paris. As your train travels between these iconic cities, enjoy fine cuisine, comfortable...
View Dates & PricesThe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express operates an extensive European network from March to December. The classic one-night Paris to Venice journey crosses France and traverses the Alps — westbound via the Arlberg Pass through Austria, eastbound via the Gotthard Pass through Switzerland — arriving in Venice the following morning. From London, passengers take the Eurostar to Paris to connect with the VSOE.
Beyond the flagship route, the train connects Paris with Florence, Rome, Verona, Innsbruck, Cannes, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, and Brussels. The legendary Paris to Istanbul signature journey (5 nights total, 3 onboard) retraces the original Orient Express route through Budapest, Sinaia, Bucharest, and Varna before arriving at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. For 2026, new routes include Paris to the Amalfi Coast and Paris to Portofino as part of the "Villeggiatura by Train" series, combining the overnight journey with multi-night stays at Belmond hotels.
Individual legs can be combined for return journeys with a stopover in your destination city. The Paris to Istanbul return (12 nights, 6 onboard) is the most immersive Orient Express experience available anywhere in the world.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express operates from March through December, with the busiest and most sought-after departures in April, May, September, and October when European weather is at its best and the Alpine scenery is most dramatic. Summer departures (June-August) offer the longest daylight hours for scenic viewing. The Paris to Istanbul journey typically runs in May and June only — these sell out months in advance.
Winter departures (November-December) offer a more intimate atmosphere with fewer passengers and festive European cities. The Paris to the French Alps route (Albertville, Moutiers, Bourg-Saint-Maurice) operates in March for ski season access. Booking 6 to 12 months ahead is standard for most routes; the Istanbul journey and Grand Suites should be reserved as far in advance as possible. Note that 2026 journeys are priced in GBP and 2027 departures in EUR.
Two trains now carry the Orient Express name. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express by Belmond uses restored original 1920s carriages with authentic Art Deco interiors and operates pan-European routes including the legendary Paris to Istanbul. The Orient Express La Dolce Vita by Accor is an entirely new train with mid-century Italian styling that operates routes exclusively within Italy. They are very different experiences with almost no route overlap — choose Belmond for the classic cross-continental journey and original carriages, or Accor for a deep dive into Italian regions.
Compared with other European luxury trains, the VSOE stands apart for its heritage: these are genuine 1920s carriages, not modern reproductions. The trade-off is that Historic Cabins have shared restrooms (only Suites and Grand Suites have en-suite bathrooms). Competitors like the Belmond Royal Scotsman or the Danube Express offer en-suite facilities in all categories but lack the Orient Express heritage and route network. For comparable prices, Spain's Al Andalus and Costa Verde Express trains offer fully inclusive all-suite accommodations with daily excursions — a more comprehensive experience for less cost, though without the Orient Express mystique.
Palace Tours can advise on the right cabin category, route, and timing to match your expectations and budget. We also offer combination packages linking the VSOE with Belmond's other properties and luxury train experiences worldwide.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the world's most in-demand luxury train, and popular departures sell out months in advance. We recommend booking 6 to 12 months ahead for Historic Cabins on standard routes, and 12+ months for Grand Suites, L'Observatoire, and the Paris-Istanbul journey. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) departures are the most competitive.
When choosing your cabin, consider that Historic Cabins have shared bathrooms while Suites and Grand Suites include private en-suites — this is the single biggest difference in the onboard experience. For a one-time celebration, the Grand Suite upgrade delivers substantially more: champagne, caviar, private dining, butler service, and your own bathroom. For travelers prioritizing the experience over the cabin, the Historic Cabin is the classic Orient Express journey at a lower price point. Palace Tours can check real-time availability across all routes and cabin types, and advise on combining the VSOE with European hotel stays or other luxury train experiences. Contact us at 786-408-0610 or travel@palacetours.com.