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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2026 Departures - London to Venice Round Trip aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

London to Venice round trip on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with hotel stay

Illustration of 2026 Departures - London to Venice Round Trip aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Planet Rail's 6-day round trip combines the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, one of the world's most celebrated luxury trains, with three days exploring Venice. The journey begins at London St Pancras with Eurostar Standard Premier Class to Paris, where you board the Orient Express and settle into your twin/double compartment furnished in original 1920s style with wooden marquetry and polished brass. Day 2 carries you across the Swiss Alps and past Lakes Lucerne and Como to Venice, where you stay three nights at the four-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente. All days in Venice are entirely your own to explore St Mark's Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, hidden squares, and canals on foot or by gondola. Day 5 reverses the route back to Paris, where Eurostar returns you to London. This is an independent holiday with no group escort, though a personal cabin steward serves your compartment. Fine dining aboard the Orient Express, all included, is a signature feature: three-course meals in the restaurant cars with white linen, French silverware, and heavy crystal. The trip suits couples seeking luxury and rail enthusiasts who prize the legendary Orient Express experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • You must make your own way from Paris Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est between the Eurostar arrival and the Orient Express departure on Day 1
  • Three nights in Venice are unguided; the itinerary suggests attractions but provides no guided tours or structured activities in the city

Day by day

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

    London to Switzerland aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express

    Your holiday begins at the stunningly restored London St. Pancras International station. Board the Eurostar for the high-speed journey to Paris in little over two hours, relaxing in your spacious Standard Premier Class seat with a light meal and drinks. On arrival in Paris make your own way the short distance from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est, where you board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin. Spend the afternoon gazing at the beautiful passing scenery through France and Switzerland, then dress for dinner: a pre-dinner cocktail, a delicious four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs, and perhaps a nightcap in the bar car with the baby grand piano before retiring to your compartment, now transformed into a cosy bedroom.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice

    Through the Swiss Alps to Venice

    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, then the train crosses the Venetian Lagoon and arrives at Venice Santa Lucia station. A water taxi transfers you to your hotel for the next three nights, the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star), an attractive, welcoming hotel in a quiet area just 15 minutes from the Rialto Bridge.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    At leisure in Venice

    Make the most of your time to experience the uniqueness of this incredible city. Visit St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, or explore the market and shops in and around the Rialto Bridge.

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    At leisure in Venice

    A further day in Venice. Wander through the hidden campi and over the countless bridges which link the criss-cross of canals, or take to the water on a romantic gondola to see a different side of Venice.

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

    Venice through Italy to Switzerland aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express

    After breakfast bid farewell to Venice as your water taxi transfers you across the lagoon to Venice Santa Lucia station, where you board the Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express once more. Enjoy a three-course lunch in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars, spend the afternoon gazing at the passing scenery of the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps or chatting in the Bar Car, take afternoon tea in your cabin, then dress for a four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs before retiring to your compartment.

  6. Day 6rail

    Arrival into Paris, Paris to London, Homeward bound

    Awake for a final time aboard the Orient Express. Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward at a time to suit you before the train pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est. A short journey across the Channel in Standard Premier Class aboard the Eurostar and arrival at St. Pancras marks the conclusion of your holiday.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from the Gare de l'Est in Paris, settling into your twin/double compartment as the train departs for Venice
  • Day 2Breakfast served in your compartment while the train climbs through the Swiss Alps; three-course lunch in the restaurant car overlooking Lake Lucerne and Lake Como
  • Day 3Arrival in Venice; three days at leisure to visit St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace, the Rialto Bridge, or take a gondola across the canals
  • Day 5Board the Orient Express again at Venice Santa Lucia station for the return journey through the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps to Paris

Included

  • First Class rail to and from London St. Pancras to Paris (Eurostar Standard Premier Class)
  • Outbound and return travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express between Paris and Venice in a twin/double compartment
  • All meals on board the Orient Express
  • 3 nights' B&B at the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star) in Venice
  • Water taxi transfers between Venice Santa Lucia station and your hotel

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes Eurostar Standard Premier Class from London St Pancras to Paris, and twin/double compartments on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for both the outbound journey (Paris to Venice) and the return journey (Venice to Paris). All meals on board the Orient Express are included.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Planet Rail describes this as an independent, tailor-made holiday. You travel without a tour guide, though a personal cabin steward attends to your comfort on the Orient Express.
What is included in the price?
The price from GBP 7,250 (USD 9,682) includes Eurostar Standard Premier Class, twin/double compartments on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in both directions, all meals on board the Orient Express, three nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente in Venice, and water taxi transfers between Venice Santa Lucia station and the hotel.
How much time is spent in Venice?
Three full days (Days 3 and 4 are entirely at leisure in Venice; you depart early morning on Day 5). The hotel stay is three nights.
What happens on the train journey?
Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in your compartment; three-course lunches and dinners are served in the restaurant cars. Day 2 highlights views of the Swiss Alps, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Como. Day 5 features views of the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps. The Bar Car is open for socialising.
What is not included?
The price does not cover optional extras such as gondola rides in Venice, which are payable locally. Travel between Paris Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est on Day 1 is your own responsibility.

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