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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2026 Departures - London to Florence including the Venice Simplon Orient Express

London to Florence by Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Eurostar

Illustration of 2026 Departures - London to Florence including the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Planet Rail operates this 6-day, 5-night independent rail journey from London to Florence, centred on one night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The trip begins with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, where you board the legendary Orient Express for its journey through the Swiss Alps and Italian landscapes to Florence. You spend one night in your private compartment with a personal Cabin Steward; breakfast and afternoon tea are served, and dinner is taken in one of the train's restaurant cars. Upon arrival in Florence, you spend three nights at the centrally located 4-star Hotel Rapallo with your days entirely free to explore the city's galleries and monuments or venture into Tuscany by train. On Day 5 you travel by Eurostar Italia and EuroCity to Zurich for one night before returning to London via the TGV and Eurostar. This package suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking a luxurious journey, and independent explorers who want the glamour of historic train travel paired with the freedom to shape their own days.

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 Florence and between trains.
  • The return leg from Zurich to London involves a TGV and Eurostar but is not on the Orient Express.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Travel to Paris & board the Venice Simplon Orient Express

    Your adventure begins at London St. Pancras, where you travel by First Class rail to Paris before boarding the world-famous Venice Simplon Orient Express, with its distinctive blue and gold carriages. Your own personal steward is on hand throughout. Settle in to your comfortable private compartment, admire the elaborate flourishes and spectacular marquetry of this elegant train, then dress for dinner: a pre-dinner cocktail followed by a delicious four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs, and perhaps a drink in the bar car to the sound of the baby grand piano before retiring to your compartment, now transformed into a cosy bedroom.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Florence

    Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Florence

    Breakfast is served in your compartment at a time to suit you; admire the stunning views of the Swiss Alps as you start the day. Enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch in one of the beautiful restaurant cars, visit the on-board boutique, and admire the superb views of Lake Lucerne and Lake Como. Afternoon tea is served in your compartment before the train arrives at Florence. From Firenze Santa Maria Novella station stroll to the charming, highly-rated and family-run Hotel Rapallo (4 star), around 1 kilometre from the station, your hotel for the next three nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Florence

    At leisure in Florence

    The centrally located Hotel Rapallo enables you to visit all of Florence's world-renowned attractions. Immerse yourself in the culture of Italy's renaissance capital with visits to the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio or the celebrated Duomo, and enjoy the culinary delights of the city.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Florence

    At leisure in Florence

    Venture further afield to explore the beauty of Tuscany: Siena with its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and UNESCO world heritage medieval centre, Pisa's world-famous leaning tower, stunning Lucca, or the rural Chianti district, all easily accessible by train. You could even visit the eternal city of Rome, barely more than an hour and a half away by train.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zurich

    Through Switzerland and on to Zurich

    This morning head to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station and join the Eurostar Italia service for the First Class rail journey to Milan. In Milan you change trains and connect with the EuroCity service into Switzerland, travelling through the undulating Swiss countryside to the attractive lakeside city of Zurich. It is a short walk (600 yards) to your overnight hotel, the comfortable, welcoming and highly-rated Hotel Glockenhof (4 star).

  6. Day 6rail

    Zurich to London, homeward bound

    After breakfast make a whistle-stop tour of Zurich; most of the city's sights lie within the compact area either side of the River Limmat, between the main station and Lake Zurich, including the Grossmunster, Fraumunster and St Peterskirche with the largest clock face in Europe. Then board the TGV towards Paris where you join the Eurostar for the comfortable journey in Standard Premier Class back to London St Pancras International, with a light meal and drinks included.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris in your private twin/double compartment, admire the blue and gold carriages, and dress for dinner in one of the train's restaurant cars.
  • Day 2Breakfast in your compartment as the Orient Express travels through the Swiss Alps, with views of Lake Lucerne and Lake Como, before arriving in Florence.
  • Day 3Explore Florence's world-renowned attractions from the centrally located Hotel Rapallo, including the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and the Duomo.
  • Day 5Travel by Eurostar Italia and EuroCity through the Swiss countryside to Zurich, arriving lakeside in this compact, historic city.

Included

  • Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) from London to Paris
  • Twin/double compartment on the Orient Express from Paris to Florence
  • 3 nights' B&B in a twin/double room at the Hotel Rapallo (4 star) in Florence
  • First Class rail from Florence to Zurich via Milan
  • 1 night B&B in a twin/double room at the Hotel Glockenhof (4 star) in Zurich
  • TGV from Zurich towards Paris and Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) from Paris to London

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) London to Paris, a private twin/double compartment on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Florence, First Class rail from Florence to Zurich via Milan, and the return journey by TGV and Eurostar.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Planet Rail describes this as an independent, tailor-made holiday. You have a personal Cabin Steward on the Orient Express, but there is no tour guide. Days in Florence are at leisure.
What hotels are included?
3 nights' bed and breakfast at the Hotel Rapallo (4-star) in Florence, and 1 night at the Hotel Glockenhof (4-star) in Zurich.
How much time do I have in Florence?
Three full days (Days 3 and 4) at leisure. The itinerary notes that you can visit the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, or explore Tuscany by train, including Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Chianti, or even Rome.
When does this trip depart?
The package is listed as 2026 departures. Specific departure dates are not provided in the available information; contact Planet Rail for the 2026 schedule.
What is the cost?
From GBP 4,895 (approximately USD 6,537) for a twin/double compartment on the Orient Express, based on 2 people travelling together.

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