Trip vs trip
Castles of Transylvania vs Paris - Istanbul (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express)
Two ways to do a similar journey. Every number below is from the operators' own published details, verified on the dates shown on each trip page.
| Castles of Transylvania Golden Eagle Luxury Trains | Paris - Istanbul (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express) Discovery Trains | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 7 days | 6 days |
| From price | $13,509 | $24,201 |
| Price per day | $1,930 | $4,034 |
| Rail share | 71% | 100% |
| Pace | relaxed | fast |
| Comfort | luxury | luxury |
| Guiding | Experienced Tour Management team throughout | Service de steward dédié à bord |
| Countries | Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary | France, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey |
| Named trains | Golden Eagle Danube Express | Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) |
| Nights on board | yes | yes |
Which one, honestly
- For value: Castles of Transylvania costs the least per day here: $1,930 against $4,034 (Paris - Istanbul (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express)).
- For time on the train: Paris - Istanbul (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express) spends the most of the trip on rails: 100% rail share, against 71% (Castles of Transylvania).
- For pace: Castles of Transylvania runs relaxed; Paris - Istanbul (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express) runs fast.
Castles of Transylvania: worth knowing
- Cabin category changes the price materially: Deluxe Class starts at 11,800 euros per person twin share, while Superior Deluxe Class starts at 15,200 euros per person.
- Single travellers pay well above half the twin rate: Deluxe Class single occupancy is 17,600 euros per person, and Superior Deluxe single occupancy is 25,300 euros per person.
Paris - Istanbul (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express): worth knowing
- This itinerary runs only 3 times in 2026, and the operator notes that cabins on this historic route are typically sold more than a year in advance.
- The Twin Historique cabin has shared toilets at the end of the sleeper car rather than a private bathroom; a private bathroom is only available from the Suite Double/Twin tier, priced at EUR 45,900 per person.
- Getting to Paris to start the trip, and away from Istanbul at the end, is not included; the operator lists these only as optional extras.
- Two of the five nights, in Budapest and Bucharest, are spent in hotels rather than aboard the train.