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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2026 Departures - Venice to London on the Venice Simplon Orient Express outbound by First Class Rail

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

Illustration of 2026 Departures - Venice to London on the Venice Simplon Orient Express outbound by First Class Rail

Planet Rail operates this six-day, five-night independent rail journey that departs London, crosses the Channel by Eurostar, and travels through the Alps to Venice via Montreux, then returns to London on the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The outbound journey showcases four different trains: high-speed rail through France, scenic alpine routes, and the dramatic landscape of the Rhône Valley and Dolomites. You spend one night in Montreux's lakeside luxury hotel, three days in Venice exploring the city's canals, islands, and palaces at your own pace, then board the Orient Express for an overnight journey back to Paris in a private sleeping compartment with sumptuous dining and a dedicated cabin steward. The return leg to London travels by First Class rail. This journey suits couples, repeat rail travellers, and luxury seekers who value refined independent travel and the romance of classic European railways.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Château de Chillon trolley bus and entry fee in Montreux are not included and must be paid locally.
  • This is an independent, tailor-made holiday; there is no group guide or organised activities beyond the rail journeys and hotel stays. You arrange your own activities in Venice on days 3 and 4.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux (Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic)

    London to Montreux by First Class Rail

    Begin at the beautifully restored London St Pancras station and travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, with a light meal and drinks served in Standard Premier service. On arrival at the Gare du Nord, a private taxi transfers you across the city to the Gare de Lyon to continue by TGV through France into Switzerland, alongside Lake Geneva to the lakeside town of Montreux. Your hotel for one night is the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), next to the station. Stroll around Montreux, or board the trolley bus for the short journey to the medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally), one of the best-preserved castles in Europe.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice (Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente)

    Through the Swiss Alps to Venice by First Class rail

    After breakfast, board the Euro City train as it snakes through picturesque scenery, past soaring mountain peaks, up the spectacular Rhône Valley into Italy, passing Milan and continuing to Venice. On arrival at Venezia Santa Lucia station, a water taxi transfers you in style to your chosen hotel for the next three nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice (Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente)

    Incomparable Venice

    Step out into Venice and allow this unique and captivating city to carry you where it will. From St Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal to a visit inside the Doges Palace, wander amid the myriad of canals along traffic-free alleyways and campi, and experience the city's luminous quality reflected against the tapestry of canals and lagoons.

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice (Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente)

    Incomparable Venice

    A short boat ride leads to the pretty islands of the lagoon, including Murano, home of glass-blowing, and colourful Burano, where lace and linen abound.

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

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

    After breakfast, bid farewell to Venice as a 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. Your steward shows you to your private cabin and attends you throughout the journey. Enjoy a sumptuous three-course lunch, then spend the afternoon gazing at the passing scenery of the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps, with afternoon tea served in your compartment. Dress for dinner: a pre-dinner cocktail followed by a delicious four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs, perhaps with 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.

  6. Day 6rail

    Arrival into Paris - Paris to London - Homeward bound

    Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward at a time to suit you. The train pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est, where you disembark the Orient Express. After a short transfer, leave Paris to head to London by First Class rail, arriving into London Victoria station for the final leg of the journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St Pancras station and travel at speeds of up to 186 mph through the Channel Tunnel to Paris, then continue by TGV alongside Lake Geneva to Montreux.
  • Day 2The EuroCity train winds through the Swiss Alps and the spectacular Rhône Valley, past soaring mountain peaks and Milan, to Venice's Venezia Santa Lucia station.
  • Day 4A boat ride from Venice reaches the lagoon islands of Murano, renowned for glass-blowing, and colourful Burano, known for lace and linen.
  • Day 5Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice Santa Lucia station; a steward escorts you to your private cabin, and you dine on a sumptuous three-course lunch while gazing at the Italian Dolomites and Swiss scenery.

Included

  • Rail travel in ultimate style on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris with all meals included and overnight accommodation in a private sleeping compartment
  • 3 nights' accommodation with breakfast in a double room at the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star) in Venice
  • 1 night's accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe lake view double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
  • A private taxi transfer in Paris, and private water taxi transfers between the station and your hotel in Venice
  • First Class rail from Paris back to London

Not included

  • Trolley bus and entry to Château de Chillon, Montreux (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris, TGV from Paris to Montreux, EuroCity from Montreux to Venice, the entire Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journey from Venice to Paris with private cabin and meals, and First Class rail from Paris back to London.
What accommodation is included?
One night in a deluxe lake-view double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior) in Montreux with breakfast, three nights in a double room at Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4-star) in Venice with breakfast, and one night in a private sleeping compartment on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with all meals included.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
It is an independent, tailor-made holiday. There is no group guide, but you receive a dedicated Cabin Steward on board the Orient Express. Hotel stays and private transfers are included, but activities in Venice are self-directed.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary includes walking through Venice over three days, visits to St Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, and Doges Palace. Beyond that, walking is light; most days involve train travel and transfers.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included at both hotels. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express includes a light meal and drinks on Eurostar, a sumptuous three-course lunch on the first day aboard the Orient Express, breakfast in your cabin on the final morning, and dinner and other meals on the Orient Express (specific details for all meals on the Orient Express are not itemised in the package description).
When do 2026 departures run?
The pack lists '2026 Departures' in the title but does not specify which months or dates the journey operates in 2026. Contact Planet Rail to confirm available departure dates.

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