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Tailor Made Rail · Luxury rail journey

Iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: London to Istanbul

Luxury train from London to Istanbul on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Illustration of Iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: London to Istanbul

This 10-day luxury rail journey, operated by Tailor Made Rail, begins in London and ends in Istanbul aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The itinerary starts with Eurostar Plus service to Paris and one night in a five-star hotel, followed by three nights on the historic VSOE with all meals, from Paris through Budapest and Bucharest to Istanbul. Each city stop includes guided tours and hosted dinners: Budapest offers a morning of sightseeing around the Hungarian Parliament Building and an evening Danube river cruise, while Bucharest adds a coach excursion to Peleș Castle in Sinaia and dinner with live music. The train travels through France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, crossing the Danube and the Black Sea coast. Days 8 and 9 in Istanbul are yours to explore the Old City independently before flying home. The journey suits luxury-seekers and couples who prize elegant dining, cultural immersion, and the experience of one of the world's most celebrated heritage trains.

What to know before you look closer

  • The return flight from Istanbul to London on Day 10 is in Economy Class; cabin and flight upgrades are optional extras at additional cost.
  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', so the final accommodation may vary by tier and availability.
  • Day 8 and 9 in Istanbul are independent exploration; no guided activities are provided on those days.
  • Only two departures are scheduled: September 2026 and May 2027.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in its blue-and-gold carriages at Paris's Gare de l'Est and dine in the restored dining cars with a resident pianist as the train travels overnight through France and Germany.
  • Day 3Arrive in Budapest with breakfast served in your cabin; enjoy a three-course lunch onboard before a cocktail reception and dinner on the River Danube in the evening.
  • Day 5Travel by coach to Peleș Castle in Sinaia, Romania, the former royal summer residence, before continuing to Bucharest for dinner with live music.
  • Day 6The train runs along the Danube into Bulgaria; stop at Varna on the Black Sea coast for an aperitif on a private estate.
  • Day 7Cross the Kapikule border into Turkey and arrive in Istanbul; lunch showcases Turkish cuisine before transfer to your city-centre hotel.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar Plus from London to Paris and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Istanbul, including 3 nights onboard the train with all meals and dedicated steward service.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is a hosted journey. A dedicated steward serves onboard the train, and local guides join for city tours in Budapest, Bucharest, and Istanbul. Days 8 and 9 in Istanbul are at leisure for independent exploration.
What is included in the price?
Eurostar Plus, 3 nights on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with all meals, 6 nights in five-star hotels with breakfast, city tours in Budapest and Bucharest, a visit to Peleș Castle in Romania, a Danube river cruise and dinner in Budapest, dinner in Bucharest, all transfers, and a return flight from Istanbul to London in Economy Class.
What hotels are used?
The itinerary includes the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand (or similar) in Paris, the Gresham Four Seasons Hotel (or similar) in Budapest, the Marriott Bucharest Grand (or similar) in Bucharest, and the Pera Palace Hotel (or similar) in Istanbul, where you stay three nights.
How much walking is involved?
Expect moderate walking for guided sightseeing in Budapest and Bucharest, a coach excursion to Peleș Castle, and independent city walking in Istanbul, including visits to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Spice Market.
When does this trip run?
Two departures are scheduled: September 2026 and May 2027, both priced from £19,999 per person.

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