Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Paris to Portofino

It is a 3-night journey aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, leaving Paris and arriving at Portofino on the Italian Riviera on the fourth morning. You board in Paris, spend two full days on board as the train crosses Europe and descends towards the Ligurian coast, and disembark after breakfast on the final day.

Portofino sits on the Ligurian coast, one of the most photographed corners of the Italian Riviera, and arriving there after three nights in a restored 1920s carriage makes the approach part of the experience. The coastal scenery on the final stretch is among the most attractive on the train's network. Arrival and transfer arrangements are confirmed in your travel documents.

It runs one way, from Paris to Portofino. Travel to Paris beforehand and onward travel afterwards are arranged separately, which leaves you free to stay on the Riviera at the end. Most guests build several nights into Liguria, and we are happy to quote for hotels and private transfers there.

Five categories are available: Historic Cabin, Suite - Double, Suite - Twin, Grand Suite and L'Observatoire, each within a meticulously restored 1920s carriage with steward service throughout. Over three nights the extra space in a Suite is noticeable. 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; over three nights, the Suites offer meaningfully more room and additional facilities, which many guests value on the longer itineraries. Both come with full steward service. We are happy to talk through the practical differences and current fares for your date.

Three nights on board are included, along 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 the journey. Everything listed as included in the itinerary is covered, so the on-board programme needs no further payment.

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

The days on board are the point of the journey: dining in the 1920s carriages, brunch and afternoon tea, time in Bar Car '3674' and watching the European landscape change from your cabin or suite. There is no scheduled off-train touring on this itinerary, which is what keeps the pace unhurried. Your steward is on hand throughout.

The included programme covers table d'hote dinners, brunch and afternoon tea served in the restored 1920s dining cars, so the rhythm of each day is built around the table. Dinner is the centrepiece of every evening. Tell us about any dietary requirements when you book so they can be prepared for well in advance.

Bar Car '3674' takes its name from the carriage's own number and is the social heart of the train, open before and after dinner with on-board entertainment. Over three nights it becomes the natural place to meet fellow travellers. It is one of the most recognisable carriages on any train in Europe.

Departures currently on sale run from 15 October 2026 through to 24 May 2027, with ten dates open at the time of writing. Every date and the fare for each accommodation category appear in the booking list on this page. The spring dates, when the Riviera is at its most appealing, tend to sell first.

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

Yes. A single occupancy fare is published and appears alongside the sharing fare on this page. Because a solo guest has the whole cabin or suite for three nights, the single fare is considerably higher than the per person sharing rate. Solo space is limited on each departure, so contact us early.

A deposit of 15 percent of the booking value confirms your accommodation, with the balance due 61 days before departure. Bookings made within 61 days of the departure date are payable in full at the time of booking. Your written confirmation sets out the exact deposit, the balance and the date it falls due.

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. Three formal nights on board with no off-train touring suit older children best. Tell us the ages in your party when you enquire and we will advise honestly.

Travel to Paris is not included, so you can arrive by air or rail as you prefer. We recommend arriving the day before rather than on the morning of departure. The exact boarding station and time for your date are confirmed in your travel documents, and we can arrange hotel nights and private transfers in the city.

Yes. Hotels are not included in this fare, but we regularly arrange stays in Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and along the Ligurian coast after the train, along with private transfers on arrival. Since the journey is one way, extending on the Riviera is the most natural way to finish. Tell us your dates and we will build a proposal.

The season spans autumn and spring: October departures catch the Riviera after the summer crowds have gone, while the April and May dates bring longer days and warmer coastal weather. The on-board experience is identical on every date. Tell us which months work for you and we will confirm what remains available.

Guests dress up on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: evenings in the dining cars and Bar Car '3674' are formal in spirit, with smart, comfortable clothing by day. Cabins in restored 1920s carriages are elegant rather than large, so travel light over the three nights and keep a smaller bag to hand. Full 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 payment schedule in writing before anything is charged.