Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Paris to Istanbul

It is a 5-night journey, the longest and most storied itinerary the train operates. You board in Paris, spend four full days on board as the train crosses Europe towards the Bosphorus, and arrive in Istanbul on the sixth day after breakfast. It retraces the original Orient Express idea of travelling from western Europe to the edge of Asia by rail.

This is the route the name Orient Express was built on, running the full span from Paris to Istanbul rather than a single overnight hop. Five nights aboard restored 1920s carriages, with four full days of dining, afternoon tea and changing landscapes, make it the most complete expression of the train. It runs only a small number of times each year.

It runs one way, Paris to Istanbul. Travel to Paris beforehand and onward from Istanbul afterwards are arranged separately, which leaves you free to build city stays at either end. Most guests spend several nights in Istanbul at the end, and we are happy to quote for hotels, transfers and guiding there.

Five categories are offered: Historic Cabin, Suite - Double, Suite - Twin, Grand Suite and L'Observatoire, all within meticulously restored 1920s carriages with steward service throughout. Over five nights the extra space in a Suite matters more than on a short journey. Availability and fares by category for your date are shown in the booking list on this page.

The Historic Cabin is the classic 1920s compartment and the category on which the lead-in fare is based, but across five nights many guests prefer a Suite for the additional space and facilities, and the Grand Suites and L'Observatoire more still. All categories include full steward service. Tell us your date and we will set out what is available and what each costs.

Five nights on board are included, together with the table d'hote dinners, brunch and afternoon tea served in the restored dining cars, a welcome beverage, on-board entertainment and steward service throughout. Everything described as included in the itinerary is covered, so the on-board programme requires no further payment during the journey.

Travel to Paris and onward from Istanbul is not included, nor are hotels at either end, personal expenses, gratuities, travel insurance or anything not expressly listed in the itinerary. Anything ordered outside the included dining programme is settled on board. We can quote separately for hotels, transfers and guiding in both cities.

The days on board are the journey: dining in the restored 1920s carriages, brunch and afternoon tea, long stretches in Bar Car '3674', and watching Europe change beyond the window as the train travels east. There is no scheduled off-train touring on this itinerary, which is what gives it its unhurried, old-world rhythm. Your steward is on hand throughout.

Included dining covers table d'hote dinners, brunch and afternoon tea served in the restored dining cars, so each day is shaped around the table. Dinner is the highlight of every evening, taken in surroundings kept faithful to the 1920s. Dietary requirements should be given to us at the time of booking so the train can prepare well in advance.

Bar Car '3674' is named after the carriage's own number and is where guests gather before and after dinner for drinks, on-board entertainment and conversation. Across five nights it becomes the social centre of the train and the place where travelling companions are made. It is among the most photographed carriages in the world.

Departures currently on sale run from 25 September 2026 through to 31 May 2027, with ten dates listed at the time of writing, and each date and its fare by accommodation category appear in the booking list on this page. This itinerary runs only a handful of times a season and sells further ahead than any other on the train.

Fares are quoted per person based on two people sharing a cabin or suite, and they vary considerably by category and by departure date. Rather than quote a figure that may move, we show the exact fare for each departure and category in the booking list on this page, and confirm the final amount in writing before any payment is taken.

This itinerary has its own payment terms: a deposit of 35 percent of the booking value is required to confirm, and the balance is due 185 days before departure. Bookings made inside that window are payable in full at the time of booking. The higher deposit and long lead time reflect how far ahead this journey sells; your confirmation sets out the exact figures.

Yes. A single occupancy fare is published and shown alongside the sharing fare on this page. Because a solo guest occupies the whole cabin or suite for five nights, the single fare is substantially higher than the per person sharing rate. Solo space is very limited on this itinerary, so contact us as early as you can.

Child fares are based on age at the departure date, with bands of 0 to under 5 years and 5 to under 12 years; guests aged 12 and over pay the adult fare. Five formal nights on board with no off-train touring suit older children and teenagers best. Tell us the ages in your party when you enquire and we will advise honestly on whether it fits.

Travel to Paris is not included, so you may arrive by air or by rail as you prefer. On a journey of this length we strongly recommend arriving at least a day early so that a delayed flight cannot cost you the departure. The boarding station and time for your date are confirmed in your travel documents, and we can arrange hotels and transfers in Paris.

Yes. Hotels are not part of this fare, but we arrange them regularly and can quote for a stay in Istanbul after the train, with private transfers on arrival, guiding and onward flights. Having travelled five nights to reach the city, almost every guest stays on for several days. Tell us how long you want and we will build it around the train.

Entry requirements depend on your nationality. France and much of the route lie within the Schengen area, while Turkey sets its own rules and some nationalities require a visa or travel authorisation obtained before arrival. Check with the consulates or embassies covering where you live well in advance, and make sure your passport has plenty of validity left.

Guests dress up on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and over five nights that means several evening outfits for the dining cars and Bar Car '3674', alongside smart, comfortable daywear. Cabins in restored 1920s carriages are elegant rather than large, so pack thoughtfully and keep a smaller bag to hand. Full luggage guidance comes with your travel documents.

Email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610 - you will reach a travel specialist or our AI assistant. The departure dates listed on this page can be booked directly, and we confirm the accommodation category, the exact fare and the 35 percent deposit schedule in writing before anything is charged.