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Planet Rail · Escorted tour

London to Venice including the Venice Simplon Orient Express and return by air

London to Venice aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express luxury sleeper train

Illustration of London to Venice including the Venice Simplon Orient Express and return by air

Planet Rail's London to Venice tour is a luxury escape centred on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the legendary sleeper train that departs Paris with distinctive blue and gold carriages. Over five days and four nights, travellers travel First Class from London St. Pancras to Paris on Eurostar, then settle into a private sleeping compartment on the Orient Express. Day 1 unfolds with a four-course dinner served by skilled French chefs in the restaurant car, accompanied by a pre-dinner cocktail and evening drinks in the bar car. Day 2 is spent aboard as the train winds through the Swiss Alps, past Lake Lucerne and Lake Como, crossing the Venetian Lagoon into Venice. Days 3 and 4 offer leisure time in Venice, where you stay at the 4-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente. You may visit St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace, and St. Mark's Basilica, explore the Rialto Bridge and markets, or take an optional gondola ride. On day 5, a private water taxi takes you to Venice Marco Polo Airport for your return Economy Class flight to the UK. This package suits luxury-seekers and repeat rail travellers seeking the romance and elegance of one of the world's most storied trains.

What to know before you look closer

  • The return flight is Economy Class; only the London-Paris leg and the sleeper train are in premium cabins.
  • Gondola rides and most activities in Venice are optional extras, not included in the package.
  • The hotel offers alternative upgrades available at a supplement; the standard accommodation is the 4-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (on board)

    Travel to Paris & board the Venice Simplon Orient Express

    Your adventure begins at London St. Pancras, where you travel by First Class rail to Paris before boarding the world-famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with its distinctive blue and gold carriages. Your personal steward attends to you throughout. Settle into your private compartment, admire the elaborate marquetry and elegant interiors, then dress for dinner. Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail before a four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs in one of the magnificent restaurant cars. After dinner, enjoy a drink in the bar car to the sound of the baby grand piano before retiring to your compartment, which has been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, Venice

    The Venice Simplon Orient Express signature journey through the Swiss Alps to Venice

    Breakfast is served in your compartment at a time to suit you, with stunning views of the Swiss Alps. Spend the morning gazing at the scenery or chatting with fellow guests over coffee. Enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch in one of the beautiful restaurant cars. Visit the on-board boutique, admire views of Lake Lucerne and Lake Como, and enjoy afternoon tea in your compartment. The train crosses the Venetian Lagoon and arrives at Venice Santa Lucia station, where a water taxi transfers you to the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star).

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea

  3. Day 3overnight: Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, Venice

    At leisure in Venice

    Enjoy a full day in Venice. Visit St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, or explore the market and shops around the Rialto Bridge. Wander through hidden campi and over countless bridges, or take a romantic gondola ride to see a different side of Venice.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, Venice

    At leisure in Venice

    Another full day to explore Venice at your own pace. Make the most of the time to experience the uniqueness of this incredible city.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5

    Homeward bound

    Depending upon your flight schedule, you may have time to enjoy further exploration of Venice before your private water taxi transfer takes you to Venice Marco Polo Airport for your return Economy Class flight to the UK.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris in your private sleeping compartment; dress for dinner and enjoy a four-course meal in the restaurant car.
  • Day 2Wake to breakfast served in your compartment as the train passes through the Swiss Alps, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Como before arriving in Venice.
  • Day 3Explore Venice at leisure, visiting St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace, and St. Mark's Basilica, or take an optional gondola ride through the canals.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Paris
  • Rail travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice in a private sleeping compartment
  • All meals on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (dinner, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea)
  • Overnight accommodation on the Orient Express in a private sleeping compartment
  • 3 nights' accommodation with breakfast in a double room at the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star), Venice
  • Economy Class return flights from Venice to the UK
  • Private taxi transfer in Paris
  • Private water taxi transfers between Venice station and hotel

Not included

  • Personal spending and incidentals
  • Optional upgrades to alternative hotels (available at a supplement)
  • Gondola rides and optional activities in Venice

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class rail from London St. Pancras to Paris on Eurostar and the full Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journey from Paris to Venice in a private sleeping compartment, with all meals on board.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes, Planet Rail operates this as an escorted tour. You are assigned a personal steward on the Orient Express, and private transfers are arranged in Paris and Venice.
What meals are included?
On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: dinner, breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. At the hotel in Venice: breakfast only on days 3, 4, and 5.
What are the hotel accommodations?
Three nights in a double room at the 4-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente in Venice, located 10 to 15 minutes from the train station. One night is spent on the Orient Express in your private sleeping compartment.
How much walking is involved?
Days 3 and 4 in Venice are at leisure with optional sightseeing. St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace, and the Rialto Bridge involve walking and exploring the city's streets and bridges, but no itinerary specifies required hikes or strenuous activity.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail does not list specific departure dates in the available information; contact them directly to confirm scheduled departures.

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