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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

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

London to Rome by Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Eurostar, six days

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

Planet Rail's London to Rome journey places you aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, one of the world's most celebrated trains, for a six-day independent rail holiday. You depart London by Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) to Paris, where you board the Orient Express in its distinctive blue and gold carriages. For two nights you travel in a private twin or double compartment, with gourmet meals in the restaurant cars, breakfast served to your cabin, and a personal steward on hand. The train carries you through the Swiss Alps and Lake Como valley to Rome, where you spend three nights at the four-star Boutique Hotel Liberty with full days to explore the city's Colosseum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and Trevi Fountain at your own pace. Your return to London is by First Class rail via Milan and Zurich, with a night in Zurich's four-star Hotel Glockenhof. This is a luxury experience for independent travellers and repeat rail enthusiasts seeking a memorable classic journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent, self-guided holiday; there is no tour guide or group. Planet Rail arranges the rail tickets and hotels, but you navigate Rome and other cities on your own.
  • Days 3 and 4 in Rome are entirely unguided; confirm in advance which attractions interest you so you can plan your own itinerary.

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 2overnight: Rome

    Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Rome

    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 as you journey south to Rome and into Roma Termini station. Enter the Eternal City and make your way to your base for the next three nights, the well-located Boutique Hotel Liberty (4 star).

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    At leisure in Rome

    Rome is truly one of the most thrilling and seductive cities in the world. Discover a feast of architectural wonders, fine art and indulgent dining, with world renowned attractions including the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colosseum and Vatican City, before perhaps having a break with a gelato in Piazza Navona or shopping on Via del Corso.

  4. Day 4overnight: Rome

    At leisure in Rome

    A second full day in the Eternal City. An attraction not to be missed is Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel; alternatively, for spectacular panoramic cityscape scenery, take a trip to the top of St. Peter's Cathedral.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zurich

    Through Switzerland and on to Zurich

    This morning head to Roma Termini 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 its distinctive blue and gold carriages, settle into your private compartment, and dress for a gourmet dinner aboard the train.
  • Day 2Breakfast is served in your compartment as the train passes through the Swiss Alps; enjoy three-course lunch in the restaurant car with views of Lake Lucerne and Lake Como.
  • Day 3Full day at leisure in Rome to visit the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colosseum, and Vatican City, or rest with gelato in Piazza Navona.
  • Day 5Depart Rome by Eurostar Italia and EuroCity train, crossing through Switzerland to arrive in Zurich by evening.

Included

  • Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) from London to Paris
  • Twin/double compartment on the Orient Express from Paris to Rome
  • 3 nights' B&B in a twin/double room at the Boutique Hotel Liberty (4 star) in Rome
  • First Class rail from Rome 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 all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) London to Paris, a twin or double compartment on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Paris to Rome, and First Class rail from Rome to Zurich via Milan, plus TGV and return Eurostar Paris to London.
Is this an escorted tour?
No, it is a tailor-made independent holiday. However, you have a personal cabin steward on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express throughout your time on board. Rome and Zurich are explored on your own.
What hotels are included?
Three nights at the Boutique Hotel Liberty (four-star) in Rome with bed and breakfast, and one night at the Hotel Glockenhof (four-star) in Zurich with bed and breakfast.
Are meals included?
Breakfast and dinner are included on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, plus lunch and afternoon tea. Hotel breakfasts in Rome and Zurich are included. Meals in Rome during days 3 and 4 are not included.
How much walking is involved?
A short walk of 600 yards from Zurich station to your hotel. In Rome, walking depends on which attractions you choose to visit; most major sights are within the city centre.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail offers departures in 2026. Contact them directly for specific dates and availability.

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