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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2026 Departures - Istanbul to Paris aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Istanbul to Paris on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with London flights

Illustration of 2026 Departures - Istanbul to Paris aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Planet Rail operates this nine-day tailor-made journey from London to Paris, combining flights, hotels, and the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You depart London with British Airways, spending three nights exploring Istanbul independently at the four-star Sultania Hotel before boarding the luxury Orient Express at Sirkeci station on day 4. Over five nights, you travel through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and France in a historic twin or double compartment, with three nights sleeping on board and two nights in five-star hotels in Bucharest and Budapest. Meals range from four-course dinners prepared by French chefs to continental breakfasts served in your cabin, three-course lunches, and a sunset aperitif at Lake Balaton. Included stops are Peles Castle in Sinaia, Bucharest and Budapest city tours, and a Danube cruise. The journey concludes with a return to London via Eurostar from Paris. This suits luxury seekers, repeat rail travellers, couples, and those passionate about fine dining and European cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent tailor-made holiday, not an escorted group tour; you arrange your own activities in Istanbul on days 2 and 3, though sightseeing tours are included in Bucharest and Budapest.
  • The from-price of 18,995 GBP is based on two people sharing a twin compartment; Planet Rail publishes no single supplement figure in this pack.
  • The itinerary mentions 'five-star hotels' in the highlights but the pack names only the Athenee Palace Hilton (5 star) in Bucharest; the Budapest hotel is not named.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Istanbul

    London to Istanbul

    Your holiday begins as you take to the skies and fly from London to Istanbul with British Airways. On arrival, make your way to the highly-rated Sultania Hotel (4 star) for a three-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Istanbul

    Exploring Istanbul

    A full day to take in the many attractions of Istanbul, the Turkish metropolis which marks the meeting point of Europe and Asia and sprawls across both continents. Highlights include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.

  3. Day 3overnight: Istanbul

    Exploring Istanbul

    A second full day to explore Istanbul at your own pace.

  4. Day 4railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Board the Venice Simplon Orient Express in Istanbul

    Check in at Istanbul's Sirkeci station and board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train. Dinner is served in one of the luxurious restaurant cars. Choose to enjoy a nightcap in the Bar Car, set to the sound of the resident pianist, before retiring to your cabin for the evening.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Bucharest

    The Venice Simplon Orient Express to Bucharest

    Delicious continental breakfast is served in your cabin as the train travels through Bulgaria and onwards into Romania. After lunch on board, you arrive in historic Bucharest. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city on the way to your hotel. Dinner this evening is at a private venue, after which you return to the Athenee Palace Hilton Hotel for your overnight stay.

  6. Day 6railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    The Venice Simplon Orient Express towards Hungary

    Rejoin the train for the short journey to the mountain town of Sinaia, enjoying a delicious three-course lunch en route. Visit Peles Castle, the summer home of the former King Carol. Return to the station late afternoon as your journey continues towards Hungary. A leisurely four-course dinner is served, prepared on board by skilled French chefs, then enjoy a liqueur in the Bar Car before retiring for the night.

  7. Day 7overnight: Budapest

    Arrival in Budapest

    Continental breakfast is brought to your private cabin before arrival in Budapest this morning. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of this city split into two parts by the Danube river, then relax on a Danube cruise with lunch before transferring to your hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner is taken at a private venue in the city.

  8. Day 8railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    The Venice Simplon Orient Express through Hungary

    Transfer to the station mid-morning to rejoin the train. Lunch is served as the train makes its way to Lake Balaton in the Transdanubian region of Hungary, through vineyards and forests. Later this afternoon you are invited to disembark for an aperitif by the lake at sunset before re-joining the train for dinner and your final night on board.

  9. Day 9rail

    Travelling Through Austria, Germany & homeward bound

    Enjoy your final breakfast in your cabin while the train travels through Austria and Germany before entering France. A delicious farewell lunch is prepared by your skilled chefs before the train arrives into Paris Gare de l'Est. From here it is a short change to the Gare du Nord for your onward arrangements on Eurostar in Standard Premier Class to London and the end of your iconic Orient Express adventure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Istanbul's Sirkeci station; dinner is served in a luxurious restaurant car, followed by a nightcap in the Bar Car with the resident pianist.
  • Day 5Breakfast served in your cabin as the train travels through Bulgaria and Romania; arrive in Bucharest for an orientation tour and private dinner.
  • Day 6Visit Peles Castle, the summer home of the former King Carol, during a stop in the mountain town of Sinaia; a four-course dinner prepared by French chefs is served on board.
  • Day 7Arrive in Budapest and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city split by the Danube river, followed by a Danube cruise with lunch.
  • Day 8Travel through vineyards and forests towards Lake Balaton; disembark for sunset aperitifs by the lake before rejoining the train for a final dinner on board.

Included

  • Economy-class flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Istanbul
  • 3 nights' accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe room at the Sultania Hotel (4 star) in Istanbul
  • Three nights aboard the luxurious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in an historic twin compartment from Istanbul to Paris
  • Dedicated Venice Simplon Orient Express steward service
  • Welcome glass of champagne
  • Exquisite four-course dinner each night aboard the train: seasonal table d'hote menu including cheeseboard, coffee, tea and petits fours
  • Continental breakfasts served in your cabin
  • Delicious three-course lunch each day aboard the train
  • All meals from Istanbul to Paris, on the train or at hotels/restaurants
  • Bucharest city tour, private dinner and overnight hotel accommodation
  • Delightful three-course brunch
  • Visit to Peles Castle
  • Budapest city tour, Danube cruise with lunch, private dinner and overnight hotel accommodation
  • Sunset aperitifs at Lake Balaton
  • Sightseeing and transfers in Bucharest and Budapest
  • Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from Paris to London

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes three nights aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Istanbul to Paris in a historic twin/double compartment, plus Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from Paris to London.
Is this escorted or independent?
Independent and tailor-made. You have a dedicated Cabin Steward on the Orient Express, and guided tours are included in Bucharest and Budapest, but days in Istanbul are yours to explore.
What is included in the price?
British Airways flights from London to Istanbul, three nights at the Sultania Hotel in Istanbul with breakfast, three nights on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, two nights in hotels in Bucharest and Budapest, all meals from Istanbul to Paris, city tours, a Danube cruise, a visit to Peles Castle, sunset aperitifs at Lake Balaton, and Eurostar return to London.
When does this trip run?
The pack lists 2026 departures but provides no specific dates or departure calendar.
What is the walking difficulty?
Moderate. Days include city sightseeing tours in Bucharest and Budapest, a visit to Peles Castle, and a Danube cruise with lunch; comfortable shoes are advised.
How many nights are spent on the train?
Three nights on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (days 4, 6, and 8), with two nights in hotels in Bucharest and Budapest.

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