Is all the train travel included in the price?

Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris in Standard Premier Class and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Istanbul in a twin or double compartment, with all meals aboard the train and dedicated cabin steward service.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

It is tailor-made and independent. You make your own way from Paris Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est to board the Orient Express and from Istanbul Sirkeci station to your hotel. Local guides meet you in Budapest and Bucharest for sightseeing; days 7 and 8 in Istanbul are unguided.

What hotels are included?

The Gresham Four Seasons in Budapest (one night), Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel (one night), and Hotel Amira in Istanbul (three nights). All include breakfast daily.

How much walking is involved?

Day 3 includes a walking tour of historic Buda, and Day 4 involves a visit to Peles Castle in the mountains (comfortable shoes and a sweater or overcoat recommended). Days 7 and 8 in Istanbul are at your own pace.

What is the final price, and does it include flights?

From 21,995 GBP per person for two people travelling together. The price includes British Airways flights from Istanbul to London Heathrow.

Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2027 Departures - Paris to Istanbul aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Nine-day luxury rail journey from London to Istanbul on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Planet Rail operates this nine-day tailor-made holiday combining Eurostar and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, one of the world's most celebrated luxury trains. You depart London St Pancras, travel to Paris in Standard Premier Class, then board the Orient Express for a five-night journey through central and Eastern Europe in an Art Deco private cabin with a dedicated steward. The route takes you from Paris through Austria and Hungary to Budapest, where you spend a night at the Gresham Four Seasons overlooking the Danube; then onward to Bucharest via the mountain town of Sinaia and Peles Castle, Romania's royal summer retreat. The final leg carries you south across the Danube into Bulgaria, stopping at the Black Sea resort of Varna before crossing the ancient Thracian Plain into Turkey and arriving in Istanbul. Three nights at the Hotel Amira provide time to explore Istanbul's historic sites including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace at your own pace before flying home. This trip suits luxury seekers, repeat rail travellers, and couples who value overnight cabin travel, fine dining, and independent exploration.

What to know before you look closer

Days 7 and 8 in Istanbul are entirely unguided and unstructured; you explore at your own pace with no organized activities.
The from-price covers the package for two people travelling together in a twin or double compartment; single occupancy pricing is not listed.
The highlights section mentions the Sultania Hotel in Istanbul, but the itinerary and included hotels list the Hotel Amira; confirm the final accommodation with Planet Rail before booking.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
London to Paris and departure from Paris on the Orient Express
Board the Eurostar service at London St Pancras International for the high-speed journey to Paris in a Standard Premier Class seat, with a light meal and drinks included. On arrival, make your own way from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de l'Est to board the Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin and attends to you throughout the journey. 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.
Day 2railovernight: Budapest (Gresham Four Seasons Hotel)
Arrival in Budapest
Enjoy a continental breakfast in your cabin as the train winds through Austria and into Hungary, with a three-course lunch served before arrival in Budapest. Local guides take you by coach to the Gresham Four Seasons Hotel, at the end of Budapest's 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 (smart casual suggested).
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 or aperitif in the Bar Car before dinner as the train travels into Romania. Retire to your cabin, transformed into a cosy bedroom for the night.
Day 4railovernight: Bucharest (Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel)
Tour of Sinaia and arrival into Bucharest
Wake to a continental breakfast served in your cabin, followed by a brunch served in the restaurant cars before the train arrives at the mountain town of Sinaia. Travel by coach to Peles Castle, the fairy-tale palace built by Romania's first king as the royal family's summer retreat (comfortable shoes and a sweater or overcoat recommended); the inaugural Orient Express guests visited Peles Castle in 1883 at the King's personal invitation. Rejoin the train to Bucharest, where local guides escort you to the Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, next to the Palace of the Parliament and a few moments from the Old Town. Dinner is served at a private venue (jacket and tie suggested for gentlemen, equivalent for ladies).
Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Bucharest to Istanbul
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, rejoin the train for the final part of the journey to Turkey, travelling south across the River Danube and into Bulgaria. During the afternoon a stop is made at the seaside resort of Varna on the Black Sea coast before the train continues. Lunch and dinner are served in the restaurant cars; enjoy the final night on board as the train crosses the ancient Thracian Plain.
Day 6railovernight: Istanbul (Hotel Amira)
Scenic journey through Turkey to Istanbul
Wake to a continental breakfast served in your cabin as the train journeys through Turkey, followed by a lunch introducing Turkish flavours in one of the restaurant cars. The train arrives into Istanbul Sirkeci station; make your own way to your hotel for the next three nights, the Hotel Amira.
Day 7overnight: Istanbul (Hotel Amira)
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 and sprawls across both continents. Highlights include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Day 8overnight: Istanbul (Hotel Amira)
Exploring Istanbul
A second full day to explore Istanbul at your own pace, taking in more of the city's landmarks straddling Europe and Asia.
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 onwards for the final leg of your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Board the Eurostar at London St Pancras in Standard Premier Class, then join the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l'Est, settling into your private cabin with dedicated steward service.
Day 2Arrive in Budapest for a guided tour and overnight stay at the Gresham Four Seasons Hotel, positioned at the foot of the Chain Bridge with panoramic views of the River Danube and the hills of Buda; a private dinner follows.
Day 4Visit Peles Castle, Romania's fairy-tale royal summer retreat in the mountain town of Sinaia, then continue by train to Bucharest for an overnight stay at the Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel.
Day 5The train crosses the River Danube into Bulgaria, stopping at the seaside resort of Varna on the Black Sea coast before continuing across the Thracian Plain toward Turkey.
Day 6Arrive at Istanbul Sirkeci station and transfer to the Hotel Amira for a three-night stay; the journey through Turkey includes Turkish flavours in the restaurant cars.

Included

First Class rail from London to Paris (Standard Premier on Eurostar)
5 nights' hotel accommodation in 4 & 5 star hotels with breakfast each day: Gresham Four Seasons in Budapest, Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel in Bucharest, and 3 nights at the Amira Hotel (4 star) in Istanbul
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Istanbul with all meals on board
British Airways flight from Istanbul to London Heathrow
Dedicated Venice Simplon Orient Express steward service
Visit to Peles Castle

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?: Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris in Standard Premier Class and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Istanbul in a twin or double compartment, with all meals aboard the train and dedicated cabin steward service.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: It is tailor-made and independent. You make your own way from Paris Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est to board the Orient Express and from Istanbul Sirkeci station to your hotel. Local guides meet you in Budapest and Bucharest for sightseeing; days 7 and 8 in Istanbul are unguided.
What hotels are included?: The Gresham Four Seasons in Budapest (one night), Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel (one night), and Hotel Amira in Istanbul (three nights). All include breakfast daily.
How much walking is involved?: Day 3 includes a walking tour of historic Buda, and Day 4 involves a visit to Peles Castle in the mountains (comfortable shoes and a sweater or overcoat recommended). Days 7 and 8 in Istanbul are at your own pace.
What is the final price, and does it include flights?: From 21,995 GBP per person for two people travelling together. The price includes British Airways flights from Istanbul to London Heathrow.