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Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

London to Verona including the Venice Simplon Orient Express - Signature Journey

London to Verona on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with Alpine rail

Illustration of London to Verona including the Venice Simplon Orient Express - Signature Journey

Planet Rail's London to Verona journey is a 6-day luxury rail experience centred on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the world's most celebrated sleeper train. The trip begins with First Class Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, where you board the legendary Orient Express with its distinctive blue and gold carriages for an overnight journey to Verona. A personal steward attends to you throughout, serving breakfast in your private compartment and leisurely three-course meals in the restaurant car as the train winds through the Swiss Alps. After arriving in Verona, you spend two full days exploring this classical Roman city, wandering the warm pastel-coloured streets of Piazza Brà, visiting San Zeno Maggiore church, and discovering Juliet's balcony. On day five, you travel onward through the Simplon Pass, stopping at Montreux for a night overlooking the sparkling lake before returning to London by high-speed train. This journey suits luxury-seekers and repeat rail travellers seeking the quintessential Orient Express experience, as well as couples and history enthusiasts drawn to Verona's Renaissance architecture and literary heritage.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Verona Opera festival (June to September) is an optional extra with supplements; the specific opera varies by departure date.
  • Hotel accommodation in Verona beyond the Hotel Accademia is available on request but the final choice depends on your preferences and budget.
  • A fly-back option is available on the return leg with savings up to £600 applied, but the default itinerary returns by rail throughout.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    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 own personal steward is on hand to attend to you throughout your Venice Simplon Orient Express holiday. Take the time to settle in to your comfortable private compartment, relax and admire the elaborate flourishes and spectacular marquetry of this elegant train, before dressing for dinner. Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail before making your way to one of the magnificent restaurant cars, where you will be served a delicious four-course dinner, prepared by skilled French chefs. Following dinner you may wish to enjoy a drink in the bar car, listening to the sound of the baby grand piano. By now your compartment has been transformed into a cosy bedroom, which you can retire to whenever you are ready.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Verona

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

    Breakfast is served in your compartment this morning at a time to suit you; be sure to admire the stunning views of the Swiss Alps as you start the day. You may wish to continue gazing out at the incredible scenery from your compartment, or perhaps spend the morning chatting to fellow guests over coffee. Later you enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch served in another of the beautiful restaurant cars. Perhaps visit the on-board boutique to purchase souvenirs, while away the hours in conversation or take it easy in your compartment and admire the superb views of Lake Lucerne and Lake Como. Afternoon tea is served in your compartment during the journey, then all too soon it is time to disembark as the train arrives at the Roman city of Verona. Here you have 3 nights’ accommodation at the Hotel Accademia located very close to Piazza Bra with its stylish and welcoming rooms and a friendly service.

  3. Day 3overnight: Verona

    The beautiful Roman city of Verona

    Make the most of two full days to explore this attractive walled city famous for the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, and soak up the warm pastel colours of Piazza Brà, surrounded by churches, monuments and fine palazzi, built from local pink limestone. Impressive churches, such as San Zeno Maggiore, contrast perfectly with the opulence of Piazza dei Signori and Piazza Erbe close to Juliet’s balcony.

  4. Day 4overnight: Verona

    The beautiful Roman city of Verona

    A second full day in Verona. Should you wish to venture further afield, you could head out to the Valpolicella vineyards, the Palladian delights of Vicenza or take to the waters of stunning Lake Garda. Optional extra: on certain dates between June and September it is possible to visit the world-famous Verona Opera during its annual festival (supplements apply). Savour the build up to the celebrated performance as crowds gather inside the city’s remarkable Roman amphitheatre and thousands of candles ensure the spectacle is illuminated.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montreux

    Verona to Montreux through the Swiss Alps by First Class Rail

    This morning head to Verona station. Here you are re-united with the rest of the world as you join the Eurostar Italia service for the First Class rail journey to Milan. In Milan you change trains and bid farewell to Italy as you connect with the Euro City service for the journey into Switzerland. This train takes you into the Alps on the spectacular journey through the Simplon Pass and on to the pretty lakeside town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. Here you spend tonight at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), a charming belle époque hotel ideally located right next to the station. Take a stroll alongside sparkling Lake Geneva and discover the attractions of Montreux.

  6. Day 6rail

    Montreux to London - Homeward bound

    This morning, after a leisurely breakfast overlooking the sparkling lake, you have more time to perhaps visit the beautiful Château de Chillon, one of the best-preserved castles in all of Europe. Later you return to the station and take the train to Lausanne, where you connect with the high-speed service to Paris. Watch the rolling hills flash past or reminisce on the wonders of the past few days. On arrival in the French capital, your private transfer takes you across the city to the Gare du Nord where you join the Eurostar to London. Let the train take the strain as you stretch out and savour the light meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service. At 186mph the landscape is a blur at times, though memories abide as you return to London St.Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Boarding the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris with its distinctive blue and gold carriages, settling into your private sleeping compartment with personal steward service.
  • Day 2Breakfast served in your compartment while admiring the Swiss Alps, followed by a leisurely three-course lunch in the restaurant car as the train descends into Verona.
  • Day 3Exploring Verona's Piazza Brà with its warm pastel-coloured buildings and churches, or visiting San Zeno Maggiore and Piazza dei Signori near Juliet's balcony.
  • Day 5Departing Verona on Eurostar Italia to Milan, then connecting to the EuroCity train for the spectacular journey through the Simplon Pass into Switzerland and on to Montreux.

Included

  • First Class Rail travel from London to Paris
  • Rail travel in ultimate style on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Verona with all meals included and overnight accommodation in a private sleeping compartment
  • 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in a double room at the Hotel Accademia (4 star) in Verona
  • 1 night’s accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe lake view double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
  • First Class rail travel for your return journey to London
  • A private taxi transfer in Paris

Not included

  • Verona Opera tickets (optional extra, supplements apply)
  • Château de Chillon at Montreux (optional visit)

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes First Class Eurostar London to Paris, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Paris to Verona with all meals and private compartment, Eurostar Italia Verona to Milan, EuroCity Milan to Montreux via the Simplon Pass, and TGV Lausanne to Paris on the return.
What is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?
It is the world-famous luxury sleeper train operating from Paris to Verona. You travel in a private sleeping compartment with a personal steward, and all meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served on board.
How many nights are in hotels and how many on the train?
One night is spent on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (night 1). You then have 3 nights at the Hotel Accademia in Verona and 1 night at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux.
What can I do in Verona?
You have two full days to explore the walled city. The itinerary highlights Piazza Brà, San Zeno Maggiore, Piazza dei Signori, and Juliet's balcony. Optional visits include the Valpolicella vineyards, Palladian Vicenza, Lake Garda, and the Verona Opera festival (June to September, supplements apply).
Is the tour escorted or independent?
You have a personal steward on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Otherwise, the tour is independent; you explore Verona and Montreux on your own, with optional activities available.
What is the price and what does it cover?
The price starts from GBP 5,195 (approximately USD 6,938). It includes all First Class rail travel, accommodation in 4-star hotels with breakfast, and all meals aboard the Orient Express. It excludes Verona Opera tickets and Château de Chillon visits.

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