The most iconic luxury train in the world, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe, invites you into a world of cinematic glamor and timeless romance.
Lovingly restored 1920s carriages evoke the golden age of travel, when every detail mattered and every journey felt extraordinary. From Art Deco marquetry to Lalique crystal, this storied train is a masterpiece. With journeys that trace storied routes between Paris, Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and Istanbul, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a journey back in time.
Europe, By Rail
The Classic Journey
A two-night legend from Paris to Venice
Step into another era the moment you board in Paris. As the city slips past your window, settle into your opulent cabin, greeted by your private steward. Begin with a glass of chilled champagne in the Bar Car before an evening of refined dining by Chef Jean Imbert—think Brittany lobster, Burgundy truffles, and artisanal French cheeses.
By morning, views of Swiss lakes and Alpine peaks accompany a continental breakfast in your cabin. After lunch in the Côte d’Azur dining car, the train descends into Italy. That evening, arrive in Venice, gliding past palazzi and gondolas.
The Grand Tour
From Paris to Istanbul in six unforgettable nights
This epic, once-a-year journey follows the original 1883 route of the Orient Express, weaving through France, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria before arriving in Istanbul. Along the way, guests explore historic cities like Budapest and Bucharest, enjoy exclusive off-train excursions—such as a Danube River cruise or a tour of Peles Castle—and attend glamorous themed dinners on board.
This is a pilgrimage for lovers of rail, history, and haute living: a grand tour in every sense.
New European Routes
Shorter escapes with flair
Recent additions to the train’s repertoire offer one-night journeys between cities such as Venice and Florence, or Paris and Vienna. These routes allow guests to experience the magic of the train—plush cabins, vintage cocktails, five-star meals—in an immersive yet time-conscious format. Perfect for honeymoons, milestone celebrations, or just a spontaneous indulgence.
All Aboard
Guests can choose from four levels of accommodation: the vintage charm of the Historic Cabins, the refined comfort of the new Suites, the unparalleled indulgence of the Grand Suites, or the one-of-a-kind L’Observatoire—an entire carriage imagined by the visionary French artist JR.
L’Observatoire
This exclusive new suite redefines what a luxury train experience can be. Inspired by Renaissance cabinets of curiosity and astronomical observatories, L’Observatoire invites guests to gaze outward and inward in equal measure. Designed by JR, the carriage includes:
-Private bedroom with a stargazing oculus and freestanding bathtub
-En suite marble bathroom with black-and-white mosaic flooring
-Library, hidden tea room, curated record collection, and gallery of JR’s works
-Dedicated steward service, in-suite dining, and handcrafted details throughout
From its scalloped marquetry walls to its secret compartments and miniature model railway, L’Observatoire isn’t simply a suite—it is a moving piece of art.
Grand Suites
Each Grand Suite is named for and inspired by a different city on the route—Venice, Paris, Vienna, Prague, Istanbul, and now Budapest. Inside: spacious living areas, marbled en suite bathrooms, private dining options, and round-the-clock butler service. Champagne flows freely, and no detail is overlooked.
Suites
These recently unveiled suites are a celebration of texture and tone, echoing the train’s Art Deco heritage and the natural scenery outside. Choose from twin or double layouts, each with a lounge area by day and a private en suite by night.
Historic Cabins
These 1920s-era cabins remain iconic. By day, enjoy banquette seating and countryside views. By night, stewards transform the space into upper and lower sleeping berths adorned in damask linens. Washbasins are in-cabin, with shared restroom facilities located at the end of each sleeper car.
The Dining Car
Dining aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is an affair to remember. Helmed by acclaimed chef Jean Imbert, menus showcase Europe’s rich culinary tapestry: truffles from Périgord, saffron from Venice, Hungarian duck, and alpine cheeses.
Three historic restaurant cars each bring their own personality to the table:
-L’Oriental, in black lacquer and gold, channels Eastern mystery.
-Étoile du Nord is all refined wood and pale elegance.
-Côte d’Azur dazzles with Lalique glass and Riviera charm.
Guests begin the day with breakfast in their cabin, enjoy a seasonal table d’hôte lunch, and don evening attire for a glamorous multi-course dinner. Later, nightcaps flow in Bar Car 3674, where a grand piano plays beneath Art Deco lights and tuxedoed bartenders mix signature martinis.
And for those night owls? Midnight Brunch in Bar Car 3674 is a beloved ritual. As the train hums through moonlit landscapes, guests snack on lobster rolls or truffle club sandwiches while the pianist plays well into the night.
Off the Rails
Whether for a single night or a grand six-day voyage, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the pinnacle of luxury rail travel. Guests might wander Venice’s quiet sestieri after their arrival, explore the historic cafés of Vienna, or extend the journey with stays at Belmond’s hotels like Hotel Cipriani in Venice or Splendido in Portofino.
Tully Luxury Travel curates seamless pre- and post-train experiences—romantic stays in Paris with private Louvre tours, truffle-hunting days in the Tuscan countryside, or river cruises on the Danube.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a passport to a bygone era—and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the present.