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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2026 Departures - Paris to Istanbul aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

London to Istanbul on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with five-star hotels

Illustration of 2026 Departures - Paris to Istanbul aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Planet Rail's 9-day journey from London to Istanbul is a luxury rail holiday centred on three nights aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the world-renowned train that departs Paris and travels through central and Eastern Europe in Art Deco blue and gold carriages. You begin with a high-speed Eurostar journey from London St. Pancras to Paris in Standard Premier Class, then board the Orient Express at Gare de l'Est for overnight travel to Budapest. There, a local guide escorts you through the city's historic sights before you return to the train for the journey to Bucharest, including a daytime stop at Peles Castle, the Romanian royal summer palace. You then travel through Bulgaria with a Black Sea stop at Varna, crossing into Turkey and arriving at Istanbul Sirkeci station. Three free days in Istanbul follow, staying at your choice of hotel from a 4-star to 5-star option, before you fly back to London on British Airways. All meals on the train, breakfasts at your hotels, city tours with guides in Budapest and Bucharest, and transfers are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • The 2026 departure dates are not listed in the evidence; confirm availability directly with Planet Rail before booking
  • You must make your own way from Paris Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est (a short distance) and from Istanbul Sirkeci station to your hotel
  • The price shown is per person based on two people travelling together; single occupancy supplement not provided in the evidence

Day by day

  1. 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.

  2. 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).

  3. 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.

  4. 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).

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Day 8overnight: Istanbul

    Exploring Istanbul

    A second full day to explore Istanbul at your own pace.

  9. 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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris Gare de l'Est in its signature blue and gold Art Deco carriages and retire to your twin/double compartment for your first night on board
  • Day 2Arrive in Budapest and tour the city with a local guide, staying at the Gresham Four Seasons Hotel overlooking the Chain Bridge and the Danube
  • Day 4Visit Peles Castle, the fairy-tale palace built by Romania's first king as the royal summer retreat, situated in the mountain town of Sinaia
  • Day 5Cross the Danube into Bulgaria and stop at Varna, a seaside resort on the Black Sea coast, before the train continues toward Turkey
  • Day 6Wake aboard the Orient Express as it journeys through Turkey, arriving at Istanbul Sirkeci station after three nights of gourmet dining and continental breakfasts in your cabin

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

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar Standard Premier from London St. Pancras to Paris, and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Istanbul in a twin/double compartment, plus the return flight from Istanbul to London on British Airways.
Are meals included on the train?
Yes. All meals are included from Paris to Istanbul: four-course dinners each night with seasonal menu, three-course lunches daily, continental breakfasts served in your cabin, and a three-course brunch. Welcome champagne is also provided.
What is the hotel accommodation?
One night at the Gresham Four Seasons Hotel in Budapest, one night at the Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, and three nights at the Hotel Amira (4 star) in Istanbul. Breakfast is included each morning at all hotels. Alternative Istanbul hotels (Sultania Hotel or Shangri-La the Bosphorus) are available at different price points.
Is the tour guided or independent?
It is a tailor-made holiday with independent travel between cities. Local guides escort you for city tours in Budapest and Bucharest, and a dedicated cabin steward serves you on board the Orient Express. Days in Istanbul are at your own pace.
What is included beyond the train and hotels?
Sightseeing and coach transfers in Budapest and Bucharest, a visit to Peles Castle in Sinaia, and private dinners at both the Gresham Four Seasons and the Marriott. All meals on board the train are included.
How much walking is involved?
City tours in Budapest and Bucharest involve walking to historic sights. One lunch in Budapest is at a local restaurant reached on foot. Otherwise, coach transfers are provided for castle visits and airport transfers, with limited walking beyond stations and hotels.

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