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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2026 Departures - London to Verona including the Venice Simplon Orient Express - Signature Journey

London to Verona on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with Alpine rail

Illustration of 2026 Departures - London to Verona including the Venice Simplon Orient Express - Signature Journey

Planet Rail's London to Verona journey places you aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the world's most luxurious classic train, for six days of elegant rail travel across four countries. Your adventure begins with First Class Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, where you board the Orient Express in its distinctive blue and gold carriages. Over two nights, the train carries you through the Swiss Alps and Dolomites to the Roman city of Verona, with all meals served in fine dining restaurant cars and your nights spent in a private sleeping compartment attended by a personal cabin steward. You spend three nights exploring Verona's walled centre, amphitheatre, and Renaissance palaces at your own pace, with optional visits to Valpolicella vineyards or Lake Garda. From Verona, First Class rail takes you via Milan through the Simplon Pass to Montreux on Lake Geneva, where you stay at a 4-star superior lakeside hotel before returning to London on Eurostar. This independent tailor-made package suits luxury travellers, Orient Express devotees, couples seeking an elegant escape, and food enthusiasts drawn to the train's celebrated cuisine.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Orient Express operates on scheduled dates only; confirm your preferred 2026 departure with Planet Rail before committing.
  • The Verona Opera festival option (June to September) carries an additional supplement not included in the base price.
  • This is an independent, tailor-made package: no escorted group guide is provided, though a personal cabin steward serves you on board the train.

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: Verona

    The Venice Simplon Orient Express signature journey through the Swiss Alps to Verona

    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 the Roman city of Verona. Here you have 3 nights' accommodation at the Hotel Accademia, located very close to Piazza Bra with its stylish and welcoming rooms and friendly service.

  3. Day 3overnight: Verona

    The beautiful Roman city of Verona

    Explore this attractive walled city famous for the star-crossed lovers, 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.

  4. Day 4overnight: Verona

    The beautiful Roman city of Verona

    A second full day in Verona. Should you wish to venture further afield, head out to the Valpolicella vineyards, the Palladian delights of Vicenza or take to the waters of stunning Lake Garda. On certain dates between June and September it is possible to visit the world-famous Verona Opera during its annual festival (supplements apply).

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montreux

    Verona to Montreux through the Swiss Alps by First Class Rail

    This morning head to Verona 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, into the Alps on the spectacular journey through the Simplon Pass and on to the pretty lakeside town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. You spend tonight at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), a charming belle epoque hotel ideally located right next to the station.

  6. Day 6rail

    Montreux to London, homeward bound

    After a leisurely breakfast overlooking the sparkling lake, there is time to perhaps visit the beautiful Chateau de Chillon, one of the best-preserved castles in all of Europe. Later take the train to Lausanne and connect with the high-speed service to Paris. On arrival in the French capital, your private transfer takes you across the city to the Gare du Nord where you join the Eurostar to London St Pancras International, with a light meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris in First Class, settle into your private sleeping compartment with its elaborate marquetry, and dress for a multi-course dinner in the restaurant car as the train departs into the evening.
  • Day 2Breakfast in your compartment while the Orient Express climbs through the Swiss Alps; leisurely three-course lunch in the restaurant car overlooking Lake Lucerne and Lake Como, afternoon tea in your cabin, then arrival in Verona.
  • Day 3Explore Verona's walled centre: the Roman amphitheatre at Piazza Bra, the pink limestone churches of San Zeno Maggiore and Piazza dei Signori, and Juliet's balcony in Piazza Erbe.
  • Day 5Travel by Eurostar Italia to Milan, then the EuroCity through the Simplon Pass into the Swiss Alps, arriving in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva at sunset.

Included

  • First Class Rail travel from London to Paris
  • Rail travel in ultimate style on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Verona with all meals included and overnight accommodation in a private sleeping compartment
  • 3 nights' accommodation with breakfast in a double room at the Hotel Accademia (4 star) in Verona
  • 1 night's accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe lake view double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
  • First Class rail travel for your return journey to London
  • A private taxi transfer in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class Eurostar London to Paris, all meals and a private sleeping compartment on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Paris to Verona, First Class Eurostar Italia Verona to Milan, the EuroCity Milan to Montreux via the Simplon Pass, and First Class return rail Paris to London.
Is this an escorted tour or independent travel?
It is independent and tailor-made. You receive a personal cabin steward on the Orient Express, but there is no group guide. You arrange your own activities in Verona and Montreux, though optional excursions such as the Verona Opera, Valpolicella vineyards, Lake Garda, and Chateau de Chillon are available.
What are the hotels?
The Hotel Accademia, a 4-star property in Verona (3 nights with breakfast), and the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, a 4-star superior property with lake views in Montreux (1 night with breakfast).
Are meals included?
Yes. All meals on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are included. Breakfast is provided at both the Hotel Accademia and Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic. Meals in Verona and Montreux during free time are not included.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail offers 2026 departures; confirm specific dates with the operator. The Verona Opera festival option is available on certain dates between June and September.
How much walking is involved?
Walking is minimal beyond train stations. Verona exploration is optional and can be as light or active as you choose; optional excursions to nearby attractions are available but not required.

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