Search

railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Paris - Istanbul

Luxury sleeper train Paris to Istanbul via Budapest, Bucharest, Varna

Illustration of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Paris - Istanbul

Railtour Suisse operates the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express route from Paris to Istanbul, one of the world's most luxurious train journeys. This 6-day, 5-night experience spans six European countries: France, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. You board at Paris Gare de l'Est and travel aboard the historic train for three nights, with two nights in hotels in Budapest and Bucharest. The journey includes opulent 4-course dinners and 3-course lunches in the dining car, all with wine included, plus dedicated steward service throughout. In Budapest you visit the Hungarian Parliament Building on a private city tour and dine on the Danube; in the Romanian Carpathians you tour Peles Castle, the 19th-century royal palace. The train descends to Varna on the Black Sea coast, where you step ashore for an aperitif on a private estate before the final dinner aboard. The route operates only twice yearly and fills up to a year in advance.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price (CHF 20,650) covers a Historic cabin in double occupancy; Suite and Grand Suite cabins are substantially more expensive.
  • Arrival and return journeys to and from Paris and Istanbul are not included; you arrange your own transport to these cities.
  • The route runs only in June, September, and October 2026, and May and June 2027; departures are fully booked up to a year in advance.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Paris

    You board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in the afternoon at Paris at Gare de l'Est and move into your cabin. In the evening, enjoy a 4-course meal in the dining car.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Hotel, Budapest

    Budapest

    Breakfast is served at the allocated time in your cabin. Admire the changing views as the train travels through Austria and Hungary. Enjoy a delicious three-course-lunch in the opulent dining cars prior to your arrival in Budapest. There, local guides escort you by coach to your hotel. Dinner on the Danube and overnight stay in Budapest.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Budapest

    Following breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the Hungarian capital on a private city tour. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant en route. Afterwards enjoy a guided tour of the majestic Hungarian Parliament Building, which was inspired by London's House of Parliament. Back on board the train in the late afternoon, you can enjoy an aperitif before the delectable four-course-dinner in the dining car as the train travels towards Romania.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Hotel, Bucharest

    Bucharest

    Savour continental breakfast in your cabin as the train glides into Romania. A delicious brunch is then served in the dining car. In the mountain town of Sinaia, you board a coach for a short journey to Peles Castle. Visit of the fairytale palace built by Romania's King Carol in the late 19th century. Back to the train, the journey continues towards Bucharest. Transfer to your hotel on arrival in Bucharest. Dinner with musical entertainment and overnight stay in Bucharest.

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

    Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    In the morning, you return to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You enjoy a three-course-lunch in the dining car as it travels along the Danube to Bulgaria. During the afternoon, a stop is made in Varna on the Black Sea coast where you alight for an aperitif on a private estate. A final unforgettable four-course-dinner is served on board the train. Enjoy your last night on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

  6. Day 6rail

    Istanbul

    You reach Turkey early in the morning. After breakfast in the cabin and a lunch of Turkish specialties, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express reaches Istanbul in the afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l'Est in the afternoon and settle into your cabin; a 4-course dinner is served in the dining car that evening.
  • Day 3Private city tour of Budapest followed by a guided visit to the Hungarian Parliament Building, inspired by London's House of Parliament; return to the train for a 4-course dinner in the dining car.
  • Day 4Coach excursion from the mountain town of Sinaia to Peles Castle, a late-19th-century royal palace built by King Carol of Romania.
  • Day 5The train travels along the Danube to Varna on the Black Sea coast, where you alight for an aperitif on a private estate before the final 4-course dinner aboard.

Included

  • Travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in the booked category; 3 nights aboard, 2 nights hotel accommodation in Budapest and Bucharest
  • Meals on board: all table d'hôtes menus and wine are included
  • Meals in Budapest and Bucharest as per itinerary
  • City tours and excursions as per itinerary
  • Travel documents

Not included

  • Arrival and return journey
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Drinks and meals not mentioned
  • Hotel accommodation on site
  • Cancellation and travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is included, covering three nights aboard the train. The from-price is CHF 20,650 for a Historic cabin in double occupancy.
Are meals included?
Yes. All meals aboard the train are included: 4-course dinners and 3-course lunches in the dining car, with table d'hôte menus and wines. Meals in Budapest and Bucharest hotels and the designated restaurants are also included.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is escorted. Railtour Suisse provides dedicated steward service on board and local guides for city tours and excursions in Budapest, Bucharest, and Varna.
When does this route operate?
The Paris-to-Istanbul route runs only twice yearly: June, September, and October 2026, and May and June 2027. It is highly popular and fully booked up to a year in advance.
What is included in the package?
Train travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, three nights aboard and two nights in hotels in Budapest and Bucharest, all meals on board and in hotels, city tours of Budapest and Bucharest, visits to the Hungarian Parliament Building and Peles Castle, and travel documents.
What is not included?
Arrival and return journeys, gratuities and personal expenses, drinks and meals not in the itinerary, hotel accommodation on site, and cancellation and travel insurance.

Similar journeys