Search

Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Paris and Budapest with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Paris to Budapest with one overnight aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Illustration of Paris and Budapest with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Railbookers runs this 6-day, 5-night independent rail vacation between Paris and Budapest, built around one night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The trip opens with two nights in Paris, where a hop-on hop-off pass, a Eiffel Tower visit, a Seine river cruise, and Louvre Museum tickets are included. On day 3, a private car collects you from your Paris hotel in the afternoon and takes you to the station, where you board the Orient-Express, settle into your private cabin, and dine in a restored dining car. Day 4 is spent entirely onboard, with breakfast served in your cabin as the train passes Alpine peaks and lakes before a three-course lunch while crossing the Hungarian Plains into Budapest. Two nights in Budapest follow, including a 4-hour private guided tour of the Castle District and Fisherman's Bastion. This suits couples and history-minded travellers who want one luxury overnight rail experience bookended by independent city time, with Rail Experts support rather than a full escort.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are offered as a list of 12 accommodation options across Paris and Budapest rather than a fixed stay; the final property depends on the tier and city selected.
  • Only one of the trip's five nights is spent aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express; two nights are in a Paris hotel and two in a Budapest hotel.
  • The evidence does not list specific departure dates for this package; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to Paris! On arrival head to your hotel for a two-night stay, then get out to explore the city with your included hop-on, hop-off pass. In the evening why not speak to any of our knowledgeable Rail Experts about a night at the world-famous Moulin Rouge?

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    It's a day to remember today, as you explore the very best the city has to offer. Included for you is a skip-the-line tour to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, a one-hour scenic, seine cruise, and tickets to the world-famous Louvre Museum. You also have another day of exploring the city with your handy hop-on hop-off pass which gives you the best views of the beautiful boulevards and arrondissements that make Paris so famous.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Budapest

    Overnight Onboard The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Today perhaps enjoy a cruise along the river, or even take the metro out to the Palace of Versailles for a pre-booked tour, but in the afternoon make your way back to your hotel from where a private car will collect you and take you to the station for your departure. Once onboard and settled into your cabin, make your way to one of the beautifully restored dining cars for a sumptuous dinner, then perhaps a nightcap whilst listening to the pianist in the legendary bar car.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Budapest

    The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Budapest

    Your steward serves your Continental breakfast in your cabin, from where you can enjoy the gorgeous scenery passing by through the large window. Alpine peaks, rolling meadows and beautiful blue lakes can all be seen before you sit down for a leisurely three-course lunch. Relax and continue to enjoy the impressive scenery as the train rolls across the Hungarian Plains to Budapest. A private car will take you from the station to your hotel for a two-night stay.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Following breakfast at your hotel, you will be met by your own private guide for a 4-hour introduction to this great city. You can expect a tour of both parts of the city, Buda, and Pest, including World Heritage Sites such as the Castle district, and Andrassy Avenue with the Millennium Monument. The views from the prominent Fisherman's Bastion really are a true delight. Speak to any of our Rail Consultants for more details on a romantic evening with dinner on a Danube cruise for a celebratory final night.

  6. Day 6

    Your Journey Ends in Budapest

    A private car will collect you from your hotel for the drive to the airport and your flight home or to the river cruise terminal. Give us a call about extending your travels elsewhere, or any changes you might like to make to the itinerary.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrival in Paris for a two-night stay, with an included hop-on, hop-off pass to explore the city.
  • Day 2A skip-the-line visit to the top of the Eiffel Tower, a scenic Seine river cruise, and tickets to the Louvre Museum, all in one day.
  • Day 3A private car collects you from your Paris hotel in the afternoon and takes you to the station to board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, followed by dinner in a restored dining car.
  • Day 4Continental breakfast served in your cabin as the train passes Alpine peaks, rolling meadows, and blue lakes, then a three-course lunch as the train crosses the Hungarian Plains to Budapest.
  • Day 5A 4-hour private guided tour of Budapest covering the Castle District, Andrassy Avenue and the Millennium Monument, and the views from Fisherman's Bastion.

Included

  • 1 night on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express including all meals from Paris to Budapest
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Budapest
  • Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower tickets
  • 2 Day Paris hop-on hop-off pass
  • Scenic Paris River Cruise
  • Louvre Museum tickets (closed on Tuesdays)
  • A private walking tour in Budapest
  • Private transfers from hotel to station in Paris, station to hotel, and hotel to airport or river port in Budapest

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. One night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Budapest is included, along with all meals onboard.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is independent travel with Rail Experts support. You explore Paris on your own using the included hop-on hop-off pass, and a private guide leads the Budapest walking tour on day 5.
Which train is used for the overnight journey?
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, travelling from Paris to Budapest with a private cabin, dining-car meals, and access to the bar car.
What else is included besides the train?
Two nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris, two nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Budapest, skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets, a 2-day Paris hop-on hop-off pass, a scenic Paris river cruise, Louvre Museum tickets, a private walking tour in Budapest, and private transfers between hotel, station, and airport.
When does this tour run?
The evidence does not list specific departure dates for this package. Contact Railbookers to confirm availability.

Similar journeys