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Planet Rail · Escorted tour

Fly to Venice & Return on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Fly to Venice, return to London by Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Illustration of Fly to Venice & Return on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Planet Rail operates this 5-day escorted trip pairing a flight to Venice with a return journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. After flying from London to Venice Marco Polo Airport on Day 1, travelers spend 3 nights at the 4-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, near the Rialto Bridge, with free days to see St. Mark's Square, take a gondola ride, and visit the lagoon islands of Murano and Burano. Day 4 boards the VSOE at Venice Santa Lucia station for a three-course lunch, afternoon tea, and a four-course dinner as the train crosses the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps via the Brenner Pass, sleeping overnight in a private compartment. Day 5 brings breakfast in the cabin before arrival in Paris, then First Class rail on to London Victoria. The outbound flight and free Venice days mean this is only partly guided, but the return journey is the centerpiece, a fully catered rail journey through the Alps that suits travelers marking a special occasion rather than seeking an everyday itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • The outbound London to Venice leg on Day 1 is by air (British Airways), not rail; only the return journey via Paris uses the train.
  • Days 2 and 3 in Venice are free time to explore independently, not guided, on what is otherwise sold as an escorted tour.
  • Only breakfast is included during the 3 nights in Venice; lunch and dinner there are not included, unlike the fully catered meals aboard the VSOE.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Venice

    London Gatwick or Heathrow to Venice

    Fly from London Gatwick or Heathrow to Venice Marco Polo airport, then take a private water taxi transfer to the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star) for a 3-night stay, a short walk from the Rialto Bridge.

  2. Day 2overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Free time to explore Venice, St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, and the Doges Palace.

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Further time to discover Venice and the lagoon islands including Murano and Burano.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Venice & Switzerland aboard the Orient Express

    Water taxi to Venice Santa Lucia station to board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Three-course lunch on board, an afternoon through the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps, afternoon tea, and a four-course dinner in the restaurant car.

  5. Day 5rail

    Arrival into Paris – Paris to London

    Breakfast served in your cabin. The train arrives into Paris Gare de l'Est, then transfer to head to London by First Class rail, arriving into London Victoria.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Fly from London to Venice Marco Polo Airport, then a private water taxi transfer to the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, a short walk from the Rialto Bridge.
  • Day 3Explore Venice's lagoon islands, including Murano and Burano.
  • Day 4Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Venice Santa Lucia station for a three-course lunch, an afternoon through the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps, afternoon tea, and a four-course dinner in the restaurant car.
  • Day 5Breakfast served in the cabin as the train arrives into Paris Gare de l'Est, then First Class rail on to London Victoria.

Included

  • Outbound British Airways flights from London to Marco Polo Airport in Venice
  • Rail travel 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
  • A private taxi transfer in Paris, and private water taxi transfers between the station/airport and your hotel in Venice
  • First Class rail from Paris back to London

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes, for the return journey: rail travel aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris, with all meals and a private sleeping compartment included, plus First Class rail from Paris to London.
Is the outbound journey by train too?
No. The outbound leg from London to Venice on Day 1 is by British Airways flight, not rail.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is sold as an escorted tour, but Venice sightseeing on Days 2 and 3 is free time to explore independently.
What is included?
Outbound flights, VSOE rail travel with all meals and a private sleeping compartment, 3 nights at the 4-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente with breakfast, private transfers, and First Class rail from Paris to London.
When does this tour run?
29 departures are listed between March and November 2026, all priced from GBP 4,795.
What hotel is used in Venice?
The 4-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, a short walk from the Rialto Bridge, for 3 nights in a double room with breakfast.

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