Is train travel included in the price?

Yes. The price from £21,995 includes three nights aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Istanbul to Paris, all meals on the train, and a return Eurostar journey from Paris to London in Standard Premier Class.

What is the accommodation like?

You stay three nights in a deluxe room at the Sultania Hotel (4-star) in Istanbul, one night at the Athenée Palace Hilton Hotel (5-star) in Bucharest, one night at a five-star hotel in Budapest, and three nights in a historic twin or double compartment on the train. Suite upgrades are available on the train.

Yes. All meals from Istanbul to Paris are included: four-course dinners and three-course lunches on the train, continental breakfasts served in your cabin, private dinners in Bucharest and Budapest, and a Danube cruise lunch in Budapest.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

It is a mix. Planet Rail provides a dedicated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express steward service on the train, with escorted city tours and private transfers in Bucharest and Budapest. Your time in Istanbul is independent, and you arrange your own journey to Gare du Nord for Eurostar.

How much walking and physical activity is involved?

You enjoy city walking tours in Bucharest and Budapest, a visit to Peles Castle in Sinaia, a Danube cruise with lunch, and sunset aperitifs at Lake Balaton. There is standard luggage handling at stations and hotels.

Which trains am I travelling on?

The main journey is aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a historic twin or double compartment from Istanbul to Paris over three nights. You also travel on Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from Paris to London. The journey begins with a British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Istanbul.

Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

Istanbul to Paris aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Nine-day London to Paris journey via Istanbul on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Planet Rail's nine-day journey from London to Paris combines luxury train travel with the romance of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You fly from London Heathrow to Istanbul, where you spend three nights at the four-star Sultania Hotel exploring landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar. On day four, you board the legendary Orient Express at Sirkeci station and travel through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, and France over five days. Nights alternate between the train and five-star hotels in Bucharest and Budapest, each accompanied by escorted city tours, private dinners, and experiences such as a Danube cruise and a visit to Peles Castle. Throughout your time aboard, a dedicated steward attends to your needs while French chefs prepare four-course dinners nightly. You return to London on Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord. This journey suits luxury-seekers, couples, food-and-wine enthusiasts, and experienced rail travellers drawn to the historic allure of the original Orient Express route.

What to know before you look closer

The journey begins in London but includes a flight to Istanbul; the bulk of the train travel spans three nights on the Orient Express, with two additional nights in five-star hotels in Bucharest and Budapest.
Suite upgrades on the Orient Express are available at additional cost; the base price is for a twin compartment on the main train.
Escorted tours and transfers are provided in Bucharest and Budapest only; other days in Istanbul and the Eurostar segment are independent.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Istanbul
London to Istanbul
Your holiday begins as you take to the skies and fly from London to Istanbul with British Airways. On arrival, make your way to the highly-rated Sultania Hotel (4 star) for a three-night stay.
Day 2overnight: Istanbul
Exploring Istanbul
Enjoy two full days to take in the many attractions of Istanbul, the Turkish metropolis which marks the meeting point of Europe and Asia, and actually sprawls across both continents. Highlights of this fascinating city include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Day 3overnight: Istanbul
Exploring Istanbul
A second full day to take in the many attractions of Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Day 4railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Board the Venice Simplon Orient Express in Istanbul
Check in at Istanbul’s Sirecki station and board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train. Dinner is served in one of the luxurious restaurant cars. Choose to enjoy a nightcap in the Bar Car, set to the sound of the resident pianist, before retiring to your cabin for the evening.
Day 5railovernight: Bucharest
The Venice Simplon Orient Express to Bucharest
Delicious continental breakfast is served in your cabin as the train travels through Bulgaria and onwards into Romania. After lunch on board, you will arrive in historic Bucharest. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city on the way to your hotel. Dinner this evening will be at a private venue, after which you’ll return to the Athenée Palace Hilton Hotel for your overnight stay.
Day 6railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
The Venice Simplon Orient Express towards Hungary
Rejoin the train for the short journey to the mountain town of Sinaia, enjoy a delicious three-course lunch en route. Visit Peles Castle, the summer home of the former King Carol. Return to the station late afternoon as your journey continues towards Hungary. A leisurely four-course dinner is served, prepared on board by skilled French chefs. Enjoy a liqueur with convivial company in the Bar Car before retiring for the night.
Day 7overnight: Budapest
Arrival in Budapest
Continental breakfast is brought to you by your steward in the comfort of your private cabin before arrival in Budapest this morning. Spend time enjoying a sightseeing tour of this city, split into two parts by the Danube river. Later relax on a Danube cruise with lunch, before transferring to your hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner will be taken at a private venue in the city.
Day 8railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
The Venice Simplon Orient Express through Hungary
Transfer to the station mid-morning to rejoin the train. Lunch is served as the train makes its way to Lake Balaton in the Transdanubian region of Hungary, through vineyards and forests. Later this afternoon, you are invited to disembark for an aperitif by the lake at sunset before re-joining the train for dinner and your final night on board.
Day 9rail
Travelling Through Austria, Germany & homeward bound
Enjoy your final breakfast in your cabin while the train travels through Austria and Germany before entering France. A delicious farewell lunch is prepared by your skilled chefs before all too soon the train arrives into Paris Gare de l’Est. From here it is a short change to the Gare du Nord for your onward arrangements on Eurostar in Standard Premier Class to London and the end of your iconic Orient Express adventure.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Istanbul's Sirkeci station, enjoy dinner in a luxurious restaurant car, and retire to your historic twin compartment.
Day 5Continental breakfast in your cabin as the train travels through Bulgaria and Romania, followed by an orientation tour of Bucharest and a private dinner at a venue in the city.
Day 6Visit Peles Castle, the summer home of former King Carol, during a stop in the mountain town of Sinaia, then rejoin the train for a four-course dinner prepared on board by French chefs.
Day 7Sightseeing tour of Budapest split by the Danube River, followed by a leisurely Danube cruise with lunch and a private dinner in the city.
Day 8The train passes through vineyards and forests toward Lake Balaton; disembark for sunset aperitifs by the lake before returning to the train for your final dinner on board.

Included

Economy-class flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Istanbul
3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe room at the top-rated Sultania Hotel (4 star) in Istanbul
An historic twin compartment on the Orient Express from Istanbul to Paris (3 nights aboard)
Overnight stays at 5 star hotels in Bucharest and Budapest
All meals from Istanbul to Paris (either on the train or at hotels/restaurants)
Sightseeing and transfers in Bucharest and Budapest
Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from Paris to London
Dedicated Venice Simplon Orient Express steward service
Welcome glass of champagne
Exquisite four-course dinner each night whilst aboard the train: seasonal table d’hôte menu, including cheeseboard, coffee, tea and petits fours
Continental breakfasts served in your cabin
Delicious three-course lunch each day aboard the train
Bucharest city tour, private dinner and overnight hotel accommodation
Delightful three-course brunch
Visit to Peles Castle
Budapest city tour, Danube cruise with lunch, private dinner and overnight hotel accommodation
Sunset aperitifs at Lake Balaton

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?: Yes. The price from £21,995 includes three nights aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Istanbul to Paris, all meals on the train, and a return Eurostar journey from Paris to London in Standard Premier Class.
What is the accommodation like?: You stay three nights in a deluxe room at the Sultania Hotel (4-star) in Istanbul, one night at the Athenée Palace Hilton Hotel (5-star) in Bucharest, one night at a five-star hotel in Budapest, and three nights in a historic twin or double compartment on the train. Suite upgrades are available on the train.
Are meals included?: Yes. All meals from Istanbul to Paris are included: four-course dinners and three-course lunches on the train, continental breakfasts served in your cabin, private dinners in Bucharest and Budapest, and a Danube cruise lunch in Budapest.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: It is a mix. Planet Rail provides a dedicated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express steward service on the train, with escorted city tours and private transfers in Bucharest and Budapest. Your time in Istanbul is independent, and you arrange your own journey to Gare du Nord for Eurostar.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?: You enjoy city walking tours in Bucharest and Budapest, a visit to Peles Castle in Sinaia, a Danube cruise with lunch, and sunset aperitifs at Lake Balaton. There is standard luggage handling at stations and hotels.
Which trains am I travelling on?: The main journey is aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a historic twin or double compartment from Istanbul to Paris over three nights. You also travel on Eurostar in Standard Premier Class from Paris to London. The journey begins with a British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Istanbul.