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Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Classic Venice Simplon Orient Express, Paris to Venice

Luxury sleeper train from London to Venice via Paris and the Alps

Illustration of Classic Venice Simplon Orient Express, Paris to Venice

This 5-day independent journey operated by Great Rail Journeys takes you from London to Venice aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, one of the world's most celebrated luxury trains. You depart London by Eurostar to Paris, where you board the legendary 1920s-era train and settle into a Historic Cabin for a single night of pure indulgence. During your overnight passage from Paris toward Venice, you enjoy a four-course dinner and three-course lunch with sommelier-paired wines in the restored restaurant cars, while a live pianist plays in the bar car. On day 2, you awaken to breakfast in your cabin or the dining car and watch the Alpine scenery unfold before arriving in Venice, where a boat transfer takes you to a 4-star hotel. The remainder of your stay, days 3 and 4, is free to explore Venice at your own pace: walk the bridges, photograph gondolas, visit museums, and sip Italian coffee in historic cafes. You return to London by flight on day 5, or upgrade to a two-day rail journey homeward at extra cost.

What to know before you look closer

  • The return to London on day 5 is by flight; the two-day rail return via Milan, Montreux, and Paris is available but costs extra.
  • Three hotel options are listed (Hotel American Dinesen, Monaco & Grand Canal, and Hotel Baglioni Luna), but the evidence does not confirm which one you will receive or how selection works.
  • Optional excursions in Venice, London hotels, and flight upgrades are available at additional cost; the from-price covers only the train, Eurostar, boat transfers, three hotel nights, and flights back to the UK.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Venice Simplon Orient Express

    The Venice Simplon Orient Express

    Your journey begins when you take the Eurostar from St Pancras Station in London to Paris. On arrival in Paris, make your way across the city to join the Venice Simplon Orient Express. Relax in your luxury cabin and watch the stunning scenery, enjoy a four course dinner in one of the restored 1920s restaurant cars, and get to know fellow passengers while a live pianist plays in the bar car. Settle into your cosy cabin for your first night aboard.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Arriving in Venice

    As the lull of locomotion gently wakes you, start your morning with pastries and coffee in your cabin, or take your seat in one of the restaurant cars for smoked salmon and eggs, and maybe a morning bellini. Enjoy a leisurely three course lunch in one of the restaurant cars, complete with wine paired by your sommelier. As you travel through the Alps, relax before arriving in Venice, where you'll transfer by boat to your hotel. Choose between 4* or 5* hotels on a B&B basis.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Enjoy a free day in Venice. Walk over the city's ornate and historic bridges, photograph gondolas on the canals, admire the gothic architecture, and visit a museum or two. Alternatively, choose one of the optional excursions bookable at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Enjoy a second free day in Venice. Enjoy an Italian coffee in one of the city's historic cafes, sip an Aperol spritz, shop for souvenirs, zip around by water taxi, or simply sit in one of the city's squares and watch the world go by. Alternatively, choose one of the optional excursions bookable at a supplement.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5rail

    Getting to London

    Your journey comes to its end today. You'll be transferred by boat to Marco Polo Airport, enjoying the waterways one last time, for your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, take the train all the way back home on a two-day rail journey via Bologna, Milan, Montreux (overnight), Lausanne, Paris, and London St Pancras. Upgrades to First Class available.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Paris; enjoy a four-course dinner in a restored 1920s restaurant car while a live pianist plays in the bar car, then settle into your Historic Cabin for the night.
  • Day 2Wake to pastries and coffee in your cabin or a full breakfast in the restaurant car, then enjoy a three-course lunch with sommelier-paired wine as the train travels through the Alps before arriving in Venice by boat.
  • Day 3Explore Venice at leisure, walking over the city's historic bridges, photographing gondolas on the canals, and admiring gothic architecture, or book an optional excursion to Murano and Burano.

Included

  • 1 night onboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express in a Historic Cabin (fully inclusive)
  • 3 nights in 4-star hotel accommodation (Bed and Breakfast)
  • Plus Class Eurostar between London and Paris
  • Boat transfer to chosen hotel in Venice on arrival
  • Flight from Venice to London

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice in a Historic Cabin (with meals), Plus Class Eurostar from London to Paris, and a flight from Venice back to the UK. A two-day rail return journey is available as an optional upgrade.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Great Rail Journeys describes this as an independent tour. You travel on your own pace, with two full free days in Venice to explore at leisure or book optional excursions.
What is included in the cabin and meals?
Your Historic Cabin aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express includes a four-course dinner and three-course lunch with sommelier-paired wine, plus breakfast in your cabin or the restaurant car. Your three nights in Venice are bed and breakfast only in a 4-star hotel.
What happens on arrival in Venice?
You are transferred from the train to your hotel by boat on day 2, then have days 3 and 4 free to explore Venice or book optional excursions at a supplement (such as a gondola ride, cooking class, or excursion to nearby islands).
How much walking is involved?
Day 2 is largely onboard the train. Days 3 and 4 in Venice involve walking over the city's bridges and through streets to reach squares, museums, and cafes. The itinerary does not describe strenuous hiking or high-altitude challenges.
What is the single supplement?
The evidence does not state a single supplement price.

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