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Tailor Made Rail · Luxury independent rail holiday

Budapest and the Orient-Express

Six-day London to Paris via Budapest and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Illustration of Budapest and the Orient-Express

Tailor Made Rail's six-day Budapest and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express combines two sleeper journeys with a three-night stay in Hungary's capital. You depart London via Eurostar, board an ensuite double cabin on a sleeper train from Amsterdam to Vienna, then take a day train to Budapest, where you stay at the handpicked Mystery Hotel with breakfast included. Days three and four are yours to explore the parliament building, Fisherman's Bastion, castle, or relax in thermal spas such as Szechenyi or Gellert. On day five you board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express heritage cabin at Budapest Nyugati station, receiving a welcome glass of sparkling wine, three-course lunch, afternoon tea in your cabin, and four-course dinner en route to Vienna and Paris. You arrive in Paris the next morning and return to London aboard Eurostar Plus. This package suits luxury-seekers and repeat rail travellers, as well as couples seeking intimate first-class rail travel and historic European cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Budapest hotel is listed as 'Mystery Hotel (or similar)', meaning the final choice depends on availability and tier.
  • Upgrades aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are available but not included in the quoted price; check the VSOE website for options.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Sleeper train

    London to Amsterdam, overnight sleeper

    Take the direct Eurostar service to Amsterdam and connect onto a comfortable sleeper towards Vienna.

  2. Day 2overnight: Budapest

    Arrive Vienna, on to Budapest

    Arrive in Vienna the next morning, change trains to Budapest, and check in at the Mystery Hotel (or similar) for a 3-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Budapest blends history, culture, gastronomy and a modern vibe with walkable sights and a magnificent riverfront: the landmark parliament building, the historic hillside castle and the Fisherman's Bastion.

  4. Day 4overnight: Budapest

    Budapest

    A further free day in Budapest; time to unwind in one of the city's historic thermal spas such as the Szechenyi Baths or Gellert Spa.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sleeper train (VSOE)

    Depart Budapest aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Budapest Nyugati station with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, then a 3-course lunch en route to Vienna. Afternoon tea is served in your cabin, followed by a 4-course dinner in the evening.

  6. Day 6rail

    Arrive London

    Breakfast in your cabin before the train arrives at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz. Continue to Gare du Nord for the return Eurostar in Eurostar Plus class back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London for Amsterdam, then board an ensuite double cabin on the sleeper train heading toward Vienna.
  • Day 3Explore Budapest's parliament building, castle, and Fisherman's Bastion, or relax in the Szechenyi or Gellert thermal spas.
  • Day 5Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Budapest Nyugati station; enjoy a welcome glass of sparkling wine, three-course lunch, afternoon tea in your cabin, and four-course dinner.
  • Day 6Breakfast in your heritage cabin before arriving at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz; continue to Gare du Nord for Eurostar Plus return to London.

Included

  • First Class train travel from London to Budapest including an ensuite double cabin on the sleeper train from Amsterdam to Vienna
  • Return private transfer Budapest station to hotel
  • 3 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Heritage cabin aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Budapest to Paris, via Vienna
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes first-class Eurostar London to Amsterdam, an ensuite double sleeper cabin Amsterdam to Vienna, standard rail Vienna to Budapest, a heritage cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Budapest to Paris via Vienna, and Eurostar Plus Paris to London.
What meals are included?
Hotel breakfasts are included for all three nights in Budapest. Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a three-course lunch, afternoon tea in your cabin, and a four-course dinner are served.
Is this tour guided or independent?
This is an independent rail holiday. You receive easy-to-follow travel documentation and tickets by email. Days in Budapest are free; rail travel connects the cities on a set schedule.
When does this trip run?
Departures are in September 2026, April 2027, and October 2027, all priced from GBP 5,199 per person.
Can the itinerary be reversed?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail offers a reversed version starting in Paris and ending in London to coincide with southbound Venice Simplon-Orient-Express departures; contact the operator for details.

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