Tailor Made Rail · Luxury rail journey

Iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: London to Istanbul

Iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: London to Istanbul, a rail journey with Tailor Made Rail

Take the Eurostar to Paris and stay overnight, then board the unrivalled Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for a journey to Istanbul, stopping in Budapest and Bucharest with tours included, before two days at leisure in Istanbul.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Paris

    London to Paris

    Travel in Eurostar Plus to Paris; a transfer driver takes you to your overnight hotel for an evening at leisure in the city.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    A free morning in Paris, then transfer to the Gare de l'Est to board the VSOE's blue-and-gold carriages; a lavish dinner is served in the restored dining cars with a resident pianist in Bar Car '3674'. The train continues overnight through France and Germany.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Budapest

    Arrive Budapest

    Breakfast served in your cabin as the train passes through Austria into Hungary, with a three-course lunch onboard before arrival in Budapest; a cocktail reception and dinner on the River Danube in the evening.

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

    Depart Budapest for Romania

    A morning of guided sightseeing including the Hungarian Parliament Building, then re-board the VSOE for a sumptuous dinner onboard as the train heads towards Romania.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Bucharest

    Arrive Bucharest

    Breakfast in your cabin as the train crosses into Romania, brunch onboard, then a coach excursion to Peleș Castle in Sinaia before continuing to Bucharest for a dinner with live music.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Depart Bucharest

    Re-board the VSOE along the Danube into Bulgaria, with lunch onboard and an afternoon stop at Varna on the Black Sea for an aperitif on a private estate, followed by a final dinner as the train crosses the Thracian Plain.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Istanbul

    Arrive Istanbul

    Breakfast in your cabin as the train crosses into Turkey via the Kapikule border, lunch onboard showcasing Turkish cuisine, then arrival into Istanbul and a transfer to your city-centre hotel.

  8. Day 8overnight: Istanbul

    Istanbul

    Independent exploration of Istanbul's Old City, including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market.

  9. Day 9overnight: Istanbul

    Istanbul

    A further day at leisure in Istanbul, perhaps with dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus.

  10. Day 10

    Istanbul to London

    Transfer to Istanbul's main airport for the return flight to London.

Included

  • Eurostar Plus Class service from London to Paris
  • Historic cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Istanbul with 3 nights onboard
  • All table d'hôte meals onboard the train
  • Dedicated steward service on board
  • 6 nights 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • A city tour in Bucharest and Budapest, a Danube cruise and a visit to Peleș Castle in Romania
  • Lunch and dinner in Budapest and dinner in Bucharest
  • All transfers in Paris, Budapest, Bucharest and Istanbul
  • Return flight from Istanbul to London in Economy Class
  • Despatch of tickets by email

Not included

  • Single supplement for sole occupancy
  • Cabin and flight upgrades

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