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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

2027 Departures - Rome to London including the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Rome to London via the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Alpine rail

Illustration of 2027 Departures - Rome to London including the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Planet Rail's six-day independent rail journey from Rome to London centres on a night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the world's most celebrated sleeper train. After three full days exploring Rome, you board at Roma Termini station on the evening of Day 5 and settle into your private cabin, where a cabin steward serves dinner and breakfast in your compartment. The train carries you through the night towards Paris, arriving the following morning. Before Rome, the itinerary includes a day journey from London to Zurich via Eurostar and TGV, with a one-night stop to explore Zurich's lakeside Old Town and baroque churches. The outbound routing follows four separate named trains across four countries and rises through the Swiss Alps on the Gotthard route. Accommodation is at four-star hotels in both Zurich and Rome. This trip suits luxury-seeking couples and repeat rail travellers drawn to a prestige, independent experience with two full days of unguided leisure in the Eternal City.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 5,195 is for a twin/double compartment on the Orient-Express only; all other train travel and hotels are included, but do confirm the final cost of the complete six-day package with Planet Rail.
  • Days 3 and 4 are entirely unguided in Rome; the itinerary provides no escort or group activities, only suggestions of attractions.
  • On Day 1, you must make your own private taxi transfer across Paris between the Gare du Nord (Eurostar arrival) and the Gare de Lyon (TGV departure); Planet Rail does not include or arrange this transfer.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich (Hotel Glockenhof)

    London to Zurich 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 Class. On arrival at the Gare du Nord, a private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue by TGV through France into Switzerland, through undulating countryside to the lakeside city of Zurich. It is a short walk (600 yards) to your overnight hotel, the Hotel Glockenhof (4 star).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Rome (Boutique Hotel Liberty)

    Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Rome

    After breakfast, a whistle-stop tour of Zurich takes in the Old Town, the elegant shops of Bahnhofstrasse, the baroque Rathaus, the Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, and St Peterskirche, all near the River Limmat by Lake Zurich. Return to Zurich station to join the Euro City service along the spectacular Gotthard route, past soaring mountain peaks and into Italy. At Milan's art-deco station, change trains for the Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service to Rome, arriving into Roma Termini. Make your way to your base for the next three nights, the Boutique Hotel Liberty (4 star).

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome (Boutique Hotel Liberty)

    At leisure in Rome

    Rome is one of the most thrilling and seductive cities in the world. Discover a feast of architectural wonders, fine art and indulgent dining, with world-renowned attractions including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum and Vatican City, perhaps with a break for gelato in Piazza Navona or some shopping on Via del Corso.

  4. Day 4overnight: Rome (Boutique Hotel Liberty)

    At leisure in Rome

    A second full day in the Eternal City. Don't miss Michelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, or for spectacular panoramic cityscape views, a trip to the top of St Peter's Cathedral.

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

    Rome & across Europe aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    The morning is free to further explore Rome and enjoy a leisurely lunch in the city. Bid farewell to Rome at Roma Termini 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. 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, with the morning free to relax on board. The train pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est; make your own way the short distance (800 yards) to the Gare du Nord to board the Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from Paris back to London St Pancras International, with a light meal and drinks included.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar at speeds up to 186mph in Standard Premier Class, then transfer across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue by TGV through undulating French countryside into Switzerland and the lakeside city of Zurich.
  • Day 2Travel the spectacular Gotthard route by EuroCity from Zurich, passing soaring mountain peaks into Italy and Milan, then onward to Rome by Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa.
  • Day 5Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Roma Termini in the afternoon; your cabin steward shows you to your private compartment, followed by a pre-dinner cocktail and four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs as the train departs.
  • Day 6Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward; the train arrives at Paris Gare de l'Est, and you travel the short distance to Gare du Nord to board Eurostar Standard Premier Class back to London St Pancras.

Included

  • 5 night / 6 day holiday by rail from London to Rome
  • 1 night B&B in a twin/double room at the Hotel Glockenhof (4 star) in Zurich
  • 3 nights' B&B in a twin/double room at the Boutique Hotel Liberty (4 star) in Rome
  • Twin/double compartment on the Orient Express from Rome to Paris
  • Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) from Paris to London

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris (Standard Premier), TGV Paris to Zurich, EuroCity Zurich to Milan, Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa Milan to Rome, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Rome to Paris (Twin/double compartment), and Eurostar Paris to London (Standard Premier).
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
It is an independent, tailor-made holiday. There is no escorted guide. On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a dedicated Cabin Steward attends you in your compartment throughout the journey.
What hotels are included?
One night bed and breakfast at the Hotel Glockenhof (4-star) in Zurich, and three nights bed and breakfast at the Boutique Hotel Liberty (4-star) in Rome.
What days do I sleep on the train?
Night 5 (the evening of Day 5 through the morning of Day 6). You have a private twin/double compartment on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Rome to Paris.
How much free time is there?
Days 3 and 4 are entirely at leisure in Rome. On Day 5, the morning is free before you board the Orient-Express at Roma Termini in the afternoon. Day 2 includes a guided whistle-stop tour of Zurich; the rest of that day and evening are unscheduled.
How much walking is involved?
Day 2 includes walking through Zurich's Old Town and nearby landmarks. Otherwise walking is minimal, limited to station arrivals and hotel check-ins.

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