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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

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

London to Verona round trip on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with Eurostar

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

Planet Rail's London to Verona round trip is a 6-day, 5-night independent rail holiday for those seeking the romance and elegance of classic luxury train travel. The journey departs London St. Pancras aboard Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, bound for Paris and a connection to the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Two nights are spent aboard the Orient Express, sleeping in a restored 1920s twin/double compartment with wooden marquetry and polished brass fittings while traversing the Swiss Alps and Italian Dolomites. All meals on the train are prepared by French chefs and served with white linen and French silverware. Upon arrival in Verona, you have three days at leisure to explore the walled city's pastel-coloured palazzi, churches, and monuments, or venture to Valpolicella's vineyards, Lake Garda, or the Palladian architecture of nearby Vicenza. Your return journey retraces the route by the same train. A personal Cabin Steward attends to your comfort throughout. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking romance, luxury seekers, and those drawn to fine dining and wine.

What to know before you look closer

  • The pricing is for 2 people sharing a twin/double compartment; Planet Rail publishes no single occupancy rate in this package.
  • Days 3 and 4 are unguided; you explore Verona and its surroundings on your own.
  • The Verona Opera is optional and payable locally, depending on your specific travel dates.

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: Verona

    Through the Swiss Alps to Verona

    You awake to the magnificent scenery of the Swiss Alps as breakfast is served in your compartment at a time to suit you. Spend the morning in the Bar Car chatting to fellow guests over coffee or gaze out at the fabulous views. Enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch in one of the beautiful restaurant cars, visit the on board Boutique, and admire the passing scenery as the train travels through Italy before arriving into the Roman city of Verona. Make your own way to your hotel for 3 nights, the richly evocative Hotel Accademia located very close to Piazza Bra.

  3. Day 3overnight: Verona

    At leisure in Verona

    Stroll around 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

    At leisure in Verona

    For a change of scene venture out to the Valpolicella vineyards, the Palladian delights of Vicenza or take to the waters of stunning Lake Garda. Depending on your holiday dates, you may even have the opportunity to take in the world-renowned Verona Opera during your visit.

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

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

    After breakfast bid farewell to Verona and board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. 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 Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from London St. Pancras, then board the restored Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l'Est.
  • Day 2Awake to Swiss Alps scenery as breakfast is served in your compartment, then enjoy a three-course lunch in the restaurant car while the train descends into Italy.
  • Day 3Explore Verona's walled city, including Piazza Bra with its pastel-coloured churches and monuments, and the famous Juliet's balcony.
  • Day 4Choose among Valpolicella vineyards, Palladian architecture in Vicenza, or the waters of Lake Garda; the Verona Opera may also be available depending on dates.
  • Day 5Return aboard the Orient Express, gazing at Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps while enjoying afternoon tea and a four-course dinner in the restaurant car.

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 Verona in a twin/double compartment
  • All meals on board the Orient Express
  • 3 nights' B&B at the Hotel Accademia (4 star) in Verona

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Paris in Standard Premier Class, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Verona, and the return journey Verona to Paris to London on both trains.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is independent and tailor-made. You travel on your own schedule. A personal Cabin Steward attends to your comfort aboard the Orient Express, but there is no tour guide for the Verona days.
What meals are included?
All meals aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are included: three-course lunches and four-course dinners in the restaurant car, breakfast in your compartment, coffee in the Bar Car, and afternoon tea. The 3 nights in Verona include bed and breakfast only.
What is the Hotel Accademia in Verona?
It is a 4-star hotel where you spend 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
What is a twin/double compartment on the Orient Express?
An exquisite private sleeping compartment with original 1920s wooden marquetry and polished brass fittings, fitted with a bed and private washbasin.
When does this trip depart in 2026?
Planet Rail's website lists 2026 departure dates; confirm availability when booking, as specific dates are not provided in this summary.

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