Planet Rail
2026 Departures - Istanbul to Paris aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express
9 daysfrom $25,368
Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday
2026 Departures - Paris to Istanbul aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express
Travel from Paris to exotic Istanbul in Art Deco elegance, enjoying gourmet cuisine and breathtaking scenery aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
London to Paris and departure from Paris on the 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. Spend the afternoon gazing at the beautiful passing scenery through France and towards Germany, then dress for dinner: a four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs, with perhaps a nightcap in the bar car before retiring to your compartment, now transformed into a cosy bedroom.
- Day 2railovernight: Budapest
Arrival in Budapest
Enjoy a continental breakfast in your cabin and relish the views as the train winds its way through Austria and into Hungary. A delicious three-course lunch is served prior to your arrival in Budapest, where local guides take you by coach to the Gresham Four Seasons Hotel, located at the end of Budapest's renowned Chain Bridge with panoramic views of the River Danube and the hills of Buda. In the evening you are escorted to a nearby private venue for dinner (suggested dress code is smart casual).
- Day 3railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Budapest to Bucharest
Enjoy the hotel's buffet breakfast before departing on foot to discover the historic sights of Buda, with lunch at an authentic local Hungarian restaurant. The tour ends at the station where you reboard the train. Relax over a cocktail in the Bar Car before sitting down to a delectable dinner as the train travels into Romania.
- Day 4railovernight: Bucharest
Tour of Sinaia and arrival into Bucharest
Wake to a continental breakfast served in your cabin. A delicious brunch is served in the restaurant cars before the train arrives at the mountain town of Sinaia, where you are escorted by coach to Peles Castle, the fairy-tale palace built by Romania's first king as the royal family's summer retreat; the inaugural Orient Express guests visited in 1883 at the personal invitation of the King. Re-join the train to Bucharest, where local guides escort you to the Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, next door to the Palace of the Parliament and moments from the Old Town. Dinner is served at a private venue (suggested dress code is a jacket and tie for gentlemen and equivalent for ladies).
- Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Bucharest to Istanbul
After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, the train awaits for the final part of your journey to Turkey. Travel south across the mighty River Danube and into Bulgaria, with an afternoon stop at the delightful seaside resort of Varna on the Black Sea coast. A delectable lunch and sumptuous dinner are served in the beautifully restored restaurant cars. Enjoy your final night on board as the train crosses the ancient Thracian Plain.
- Day 6railovernight: Istanbul
Scenic journey through Turkey to Istanbul
Wake to a continental breakfast served in your cabin as the train journeys through Turkey. Enjoy a delicious lunch introducing you to Turkish flavours before the train arrives into Istanbul Sirkeci station. Make your own way to your hotel for the next three nights, the highly-rated Hotel Amira.
- Day 7overnight: Istanbul
Exploring Istanbul
A full day to take in the many attractions of Istanbul, the Turkish metropolis which marks the meeting point of Europe and Asia. Highlights include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
- Day 8overnight: Istanbul
Exploring Istanbul
A second full day to explore Istanbul at your own pace.
- Day 9
Istanbul to London
Savour your final morning in Istanbul before making your way to the airport for your flight with British Airways back to London Heathrow and the final leg of your journey home.
Included
- First Class rail from London to Paris (Standard Premier on Eurostar)
- Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Istanbul with all meals on board
- 5 nights hotel accommodation in 4 & 5 star hotels with breakfast each day, including overnight stays at the Gresham Four Seasons in Budapest and the Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel in Bucharest and 3 nights at the Amira Hotel (4 star) in Istanbul
- British Airways flight from Istanbul to London Heathrow
- Three nights aboard the luxurious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train
- Dedicated Venice Simplon Orient Express steward service
- Welcome glass of champagne
- Exquisite four-course dinner each night aboard the train: seasonal table d'hote menu including cheeseboard, coffee, tea and petits fours
- Continental breakfasts served in your cabin
- Delicious three-course lunch each day aboard the train
- Bucharest city tour, private dinner and overnight hotel accommodation
- Delightful three-course brunch
- Visit to Peles Castle
- Budapest city tour, private dinner and overnight hotel accommodation
- Sightseeing and transfers in Bucharest and Budapest
