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Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

Paris to Istanbul aboard the Venice Simplon Orient-Express

Nine-day luxury train journey Paris to Istanbul on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Illustration of Paris to Istanbul aboard the Venice Simplon Orient-Express

Planet Rail's Paris to Istanbul journey aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a nine-day luxury rail voyage spanning seven European countries. You board the legendary blue-and-gold train at Paris Gare de l'Est, settle into a private Historic Cabin, and spend five nights crossing Europe in timeless style. The journey calls at Budapest, where you tour the Parliament Building and dine on the Danube; Sinaia, home to the royal Peles Castle; Bucharest, where live music accompanies dinner; and Varna on the Black Sea, where an aperitif at a private estate precedes your farewell meal. Between train legs, you stay at Le Meurice in Paris and the Çırağan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul, both five-star properties. Every meal on board is prepared by chefs in restored 1920s dining cars, and the Bar Car invites evening conversation as the train glides through the European landscape. This itinerary suits luxury seekers, repeat rail travellers, couples, and history lovers drawn to royal castles and grand cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Planet Rail publishes no current departure schedule in the evidence; the operator states that departures are limited to a few each year. Confirm availability and dates directly with Planet Rail before committing.
  • The from-price of GBP 18,995 covers the Historic Cabins tier; Grand Suites and Suites cost more.
  • The itinerary shows six day anchors but refers to a nine-day, eight-night package; three days are accounted for in pre- or post-train hotel stays, and the precise schedule of city exploration time versus train time is not detailed.

Day by day

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

    Paris through Germany

    Step aboard the iconic blue-and-gold Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l'Est. Settle into your elegant cabin, savour a chef-prepared dinner in the dining car accompanied by piano melodies, and enjoy Bar Car '3674' before your cabin is transformed for the night as the train glides through France and Germany.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Budapest

    Exploring Budapest

    Awaken to a French breakfast served in your cabin with views of Austria. Enjoy a light three-course lunch as the train glides into Hungary, arriving in Budapest where local guides escort you to your hotel. This evening, a cocktail reception and dinner on the River Danube.

  3. Day 3railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Budapest to Bucharest

    Explore Budapest's historic sights, take lunch of Hungarian specialities and enjoy a guided tour of the Parliament Building. Re-board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for dinner as the train drifts into Romania, ending the evening with a classic cocktail in the Bar Car.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Bucharest

    Explore Bucharest

    French breakfast in your cabin as the train enters Romania. After a light brunch, travel to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle, once favoured by royalty. Rejoin the train to Bucharest, where local guides accompany you to your hotel; in the evening, dinner with live music in an intimate setting.

  5. Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Bulgaria to Istanbul

    The final leg: the train crosses the Danube into Bulgaria. Enjoy a light lunch, then an aperitif at a private estate in Varna by the Black Sea. Back on board, a farewell dinner as the train glides across the Thracian Plain, with music and conversation in the Bar Car.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Istanbul

    Arrival to Turkey

    A French breakfast in your cabin as the train enters Turkey. While customs are completed at Kapikule, relax in your suite or browse the onboard boutique. A light lunch of refined Turkish flavours precedes arrival in Istanbul, where a shared transfer takes you to your city centre hotel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Step aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l'Est and settle into your art deco cabin as a chef-prepared dinner is served in the restored 1920s dining car accompanied by piano melodies.
  • Day 2Enjoy a cocktail reception and dinner on the River Danube in Budapest.
  • Day 3Tour Budapest's Parliament Building and Hungarian specialities at lunch before re-boarding the train for dinner as it enters Romania.
  • Day 4Visit Peles Castle in Sinaia, once favoured by royalty, then return to the train for dinner with live music in Bucharest.
  • Day 5Enjoy an aperitif at a private estate in Varna on the Black Sea before a farewell dinner as the train crosses the Thracian Plain.

Included

  • 2 nights accommodation in Paris
  • 2 nights accommodation in Istanbul

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journey from Paris to Istanbul is included in the package price. All meals on board, cabin accommodation, and the shared transfer in Istanbul are part of the fare.
Is this tour escorted?
Local guides escort you to your hotel at each city stop and accompany some tours, such as Budapest's Parliament Building and Peles Castle in Sinaia. A shared transfer meets you in Istanbul. The train journey itself is not a group tour; you travel in a private cabin.
Which hotels are included?
Le Meurice in Paris (five nights total: two before or after the train journey), and the Çırağan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul (two nights). The itinerary shows you board in Paris and arrive in Istanbul, with hotel stays in Budapest and Bucharest during the journey.
What is a Historic Cabin like?
A private twin cabin with banquette seating by day and convertible sleeping berths with luxurious bedding by night. Morning breakfast can be served to your bed.
How many countries does the train cross?
Seven: France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail operates only a few departures each year. Contact Planet Rail directly for the current departure schedule.

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