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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2026 Departures First Class rail to Verona, The Verona Opera & Verona to Amsterdam on the Orient Express

London to Amsterdam in First Class rail and the Orient Express, eight days

Illustration of 2026 Departures First Class rail to Verona, The Verona Opera & Verona to Amsterdam on the Orient Express

Planet Rail's eight-day rail holiday combines First Class European rail travel with a night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The journey departs from London St Pancras, carries you via Eurostar and TGV through France, then by EuroCity through the Swiss Alps into Italy, arriving in Verona for three nights at the four-star Hotel Accademia. This Roman city is home to historic churches, piazzas faced in local pink limestone, and Juliet's balcony, with the 100th anniversary Verona Opera performance of Aida available as an optional extra. From Verona, you board the legendary Orient Express in its twin cabin class, enjoying all meals on board as the train passes through the Dolomites and Swiss Alps, stopping in Paris before reaching Amsterdam. Two nights at the four-star Hotel Estherea conclude the tour before your Eurostar return to London. The trip suits luxury-seeking repeat rail travellers and independent explorers who prefer to discover each destination at their own pace, yet appreciate the comfort and service of premium hotels and the Orient Express's cabin stewards.

What to know before you look closer

  • The price covers the rail package and hotel accommodation for eight days and seven nights; the optional Verona Opera performance and other excursions are payable locally.
  • This is an independent, tailor-made holiday, not an escorted tour. You make your own way to hotels and arrange your own sightseeing in Verona and Amsterdam, though cabin stewards attend you on board the Orient Express.
  • The fly-to-Verona alternative (6 nights, 7 days) is offered at GBP 4,895 per person if you prefer to avoid the rail journey from London; Planet Rail notes this saves up to 600 pounds per person.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux

    London to Montreux by First Class Rail

    Your holiday begins at London St. Pancras station. Travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier service. On arrival at the Gare du Nord a private taxi transfers you across the city to the Gare de Lyon, where you continue by TGV through France into Switzerland, alongside sparkling Lake Geneva to the elegant lakeside town of Montreux. Your hotel for one night is the belle epoque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) located right next to the station. You might stroll around Montreux or take the trolley bus to the medieval Chateau de Chillon (payable locally), one of the best-preserved castles in Europe.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Verona

    Through the Swiss Alps to Verona by First Class rail

    This morning after breakfast make your way to the station and board the EuroCity train as it snakes through picturesque scenery, past soaring mountain peaks, up the spectacular Rhone Valley into Italy, arriving into the Roman city of Verona. Make your own way to your hotel for 3 nights, the richly evocative Hotel Accademia located very close to Piazza Bra.

  3. Day 3overnight: Verona

    At leisure in Verona

    Spend the next few days enjoying the Roman city of Verona. Stroll around this attractive walled city famous for Romeo and Juliet, and soak up the warm pastel colours of Piazza Bra, surrounded by churches, monuments and fine palazzi built from local pink limestone. Impressive churches such as San Zeno Maggiore contrast with the opulence of Piazza dei Signori and Piazza Erbe close to Juliet's balcony. Venture out to the Valpolicella vineyards, the Palladian delights of Vicenza or Lake Garda. Take in the world-renowned Verona Opera during your visit (payable locally); your visit coincides with the first night of the 100th anniversary performance of Aida.

  4. Day 4overnight: Verona

    At leisure in Verona

    A further day at leisure in Verona, with the option of the Valpolicella vineyards, Vicenza, Lake Garda, or the Verona Opera (payable locally).

  5. Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Verona & the Orient Express

    This morning after breakfast you board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express bound for Amsterdam. Your steward shows you to your private cabin and attends you throughout your journey. Enjoy a three-course lunch in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars, then spend the afternoon gazing at the passing scenery of the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps, or chatting with fellow travellers in the Bar Car. Afternoon tea is served in your cabin. Dress for dinner and enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs, then linger in the bar car with the baby grand piano before retiring to your compartment, now transformed into a cosy bedroom.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Amsterdam

    The Orient Express through Paris to Amsterdam

    Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward at a time to suit you. The train pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est for a short period to replenish supplies before continuing towards Amsterdam. Enjoy lunch on board and perhaps browse the onboard boutique. Before arriving in Amsterdam your steward serves indulgent pastries with tea and coffee in your cabin. On arrival, disembark and make your way to the highly-rated Hotel Estherea (4 star) as your base to explore the beautiful canals and sights of the Netherlands' capital.

  7. Day 7overnight: Amsterdam

    Exploring Amsterdam

    Amsterdam boasts colourful and lively markets, including the pretty flower market, and the attractive Vondelpark. Perhaps visit the Anne Frank House (payable locally) or seek out lesser-known quarters such as the Jordaan or the Pijp. The Museum Quarter offers an excellent choice of cultural highlights, including the fabulous Van Gogh museum, or simply amble across the criss-cross of bridges and canals from bar to cafe.

  8. Day 8rail

    Farewell to Amsterdam and homeward bound

    Enjoy some final sights in Amsterdam before making your way to Centraal station to join the Eurostar back to London. Sit back and relax with a light meal and drink as the train reaches speeds of up to 186 mph before arrival into St Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Eurostar departs London St Pancras at up to 186 mph, then you travel by TGV alongside Lake Geneva into Switzerland to reach the elegant lakeside town of Montreux.
  • Day 2Day 2: The EuroCity train snakes through the Swiss Alps and the Rhone Valley, descending into Italy to arrive at the Roman city of Verona.
  • Day 5Day 5: You board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Verona and settle into your private cabin as the train climbs through the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps toward Amsterdam.
  • Day 6Day 6: The Orient Express pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est to replenish supplies before continuing to Amsterdam; breakfast and afternoon tea are served in your cabin.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Montreux
  • First Class rail from Montreux to Verona
  • Overnight journey from Verona to Amsterdam in a twin compartment on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
  • All meals on board the Orient Express
  • 1 night B&B at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
  • 3 nights' B&B at the Hotel Accademia (4 star) in Verona
  • 2 nights' B&B in a classic room at the Hotel Estherea (4 star) in Amsterdam
  • Private taxi transfer in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included in the price?
Yes. First Class rail from London to Montreux, First Class rail from Montreux to Verona, and an overnight cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Verona to Amsterdam are all included. Return Eurostar from Amsterdam to London is also included.
What trains will I travel on?
Eurostar (London to Paris), TGV (Paris to Montreux), EuroCity (Montreux to Verona), Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Verona to Amsterdam), and Eurostar return (Amsterdam to London).
What accommodation is included?
One night at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux, three nights at the Hotel Accademia (4 star) in Verona, and two nights at the Hotel Estherea (4 star) in Amsterdam. All are bed and breakfast.
Are meals included on the Orient Express?
Yes. All meals are included on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Verona to Amsterdam, including a three-course lunch on Day 5 and breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea on Day 6.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an independent, tailor-made holiday. Cabin stewards attend you on board the Orient Express, but you make your own way to hotels and arrange your own sightseeing in Verona and Amsterdam.
What are the optional extras?
The Verona Opera (100th anniversary performance of Aida), Chateau de Chillon near Montreux, a canal cruise on a Dutch barge in Amsterdam, and the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam are available at additional cost, payable locally.

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