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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

The Bernina Express and Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Venice

Independent rail journey to Venice via the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Bernina Express

Illustration of The Bernina Express and Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Venice

Railbookers operates this 11-day, 10-night independent rail vacation from London to St. Moritz, with stops in Paris and Venice. After two nights each in London and Paris, travelers board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, spending a night onboard in a Private Historic Cabin with a four-course dinner in the restaurant cars, then breakfast and lunch as the train crosses the Swiss Alps and the Venetian Lagoon before arriving in Venice for a three-night stay. From Venice, the Bernina Express climbs through snow-covered mountain peaks from Tirano and Poschiavo to St. Moritz for a final two nights. Along the way, included sightseeing covers the Tower of London, the Eiffel Tower, a Seine dinner cruise, and a Venice walking tour with a gondola ride. Because it is independent rather than escorted, travelers follow the pre-booked trains, transfers, and activities at their own pace. The mix of a luxury named train and self-guided city time suits travelers who want a scenic rail journey without a group tour structure.

What to know before you look closer

  • The hotel list is a set of 23 accommodation options across cities and price tiers rather than one fixed itinerary, so the specific hotel booked in each city depends on the tier and dates chosen.
  • The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: London

    Your Journey Begins in London

    Welcome to London! On arrival head to your hotel for an overnight stay, then get out and enjoy the city that has so much to offer. Check out all the major sights, then perhaps enjoy a show in the West End.

  2. Day 2overnight: London

    London

    The morning is yours to explore before you meet your private expert guide for an afternoon exploring London's most famous sights and attractions! Start with a panoramic tour of the city before arriving at the Tower of London, then St. Paul's Cathedral.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Paris

    London to Paris

    After breakfast, your private transfer will collect you from your hotel and take you to St. Pancras station. Board the Eurostar southbound, and upon arrival in Paris, your private transfer will take you to your hotel for a two-night stay.

  4. Day 4overnight: Paris

    Paris

    Today enjoy the very best Paris has to offer with a skip-the-line tour to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, offering panoramic views of the city. Come evening, embark on a scenic cruise along the Seine, accompanied by a delicious dinner of local delicacies.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Venice

    Check out of your hotel this morning and your private transfer will take you to the train station. Board the gleaming blue and gold carriages of the Continental Wagons-Lits today. Dinner is a delicious four-course meal in the restaurant cars.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Venice

    Arrive in Venice

    Breakfast is served in your compartment this morning as the journey continues through the Swiss Alps. Lunch will be served in one of the opulent restored restaurant cars. The train crosses the Venetian Lagoon and arrives at Santa Lucia station. Check in at your hotel for a three-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Begin exploring this romantic city full of history and culture. Enjoy a ride on a Gondola and admire the city's architecture from the water. Marvel at the Basilica in the Piazza San Marco, including its iconic Clock Tower.

  8. Day 8overnight: Venice

    Venice

    After breakfast spend a full day discovering the gems of Venice with a small group tour of the ancient Doges Palace, then the priceless treasure that is the Golden Basilica.

  9. Day 9railovernight: St. Moritz

    Bernina Express to St. Moritz

    It's an early start from Venice to Milan and Tirano today, but the onwards connection onboard the world-famous Bernina Express is worth it. The famous red train will snake its way from Tirano and Poschiavo up through snow covered mountain peaks to St Moritz. Check in to your hotel here for a 2-night stay.

  10. Day 10overnight: St. Moritz

    St. Moritz

    After breakfast, why not take a ride on the local funicular and cable-car to Piz Nair (May-Oct only). This mountain peak rewards all visitors with some spectacular views of Graubünden and beyond.

  11. Day 11rail

    Your Journey Ends in St. Moritz

    Check out of your hotel this morning and catch a train from St. Moritz to Chur then onto Zurich and continue with your onward travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4A skip-the-line visit to the top of the Eiffel Tower, followed by an evening dinner cruise on the Seine.
  • Day 5Travelers board the blue and gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Paris and are served a four-course dinner in the restaurant cars.
  • Day 6Breakfast is served in the private compartment as the train crosses the Swiss Alps, and the train later crosses the Venetian Lagoon into Venice.
  • Day 7A gondola ride through Venice's canals, with views of the Basilica and Clock Tower in the Piazza San Marco.
  • Day 9The Bernina Express climbs from Tirano and Poschiavo through snow-covered mountain peaks to St. Moritz.

Included

  • Rail travel and reservations as per itinerary
  • 1 night onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a Private Historic Cabin
  • 2 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in London
  • 2 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Venice
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in St Moritz
  • Private sightseeing tour of London with the Crown Jewels and the Tower of London
  • Dinner cruise on the Seine
  • Skip-the-line tickets for the Eiffel Tower including Summit Access
  • Private transfers to and from train stations in London and Paris
  • Shared transfer from the station to your hotel in Venice
  • Walking tour in Venice including Doges Palace and Golden Basilica
  • Gondola tour in Venice

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Railbookers includes rail travel and reservations throughout the itinerary, including a night onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the Bernina Express to St. Moritz.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is an independent, self-guided rail vacation. Railbookers arranges the trains, transfers, and included sightseeing, but travelers move through the trip on their own.
Which trains does the trip use?
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice in a Private Historic Cabin, the Bernina Express from Tirano to St. Moritz, plus Swiss Railways and Trenitalia services and the Eurostar from London to Paris.
What hotels are included?
The evidence lists 23 accommodation options across the trip's cities and price tiers, including choices such as the Kimpton Fitzroy London and the Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera. Included stays are 2 nights in London, 2 in Paris, 3 in Venice, and 2 in St. Moritz, plus 1 night onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
How much does the trip cost?
It is priced from $10,369 per person, about $943 per day.
When does it run?
The evidence lists no current departure dates for this package.

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