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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Paris to Istanbul

Luxury train from Paris to Istanbul via Budapest, Romania, Bulgaria

Illustration of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Paris to Istanbul

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day luxury escorted journey departing London and concluding in Istanbul. You travel from London St Pancras to Paris via Eurostar Plus, then board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l'Est for a celebrated five-night passage through Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria to Istanbul. The itinerary balances time aboard the train, where you spend three nights in a Historic Cabin, with guided explorations of Budapest including its Parliament building and a coach visit to fairytale Peleș Castle in Romania. You stay four nights in four and five-star hotels. All meals, beverages, and onboard entertainment are included during your train journeys, and the experience ends with a return flight to London. This route retraces the steps of the Orient Express's first royal guests and suits luxury seekers, repeat rail travellers, couples, history enthusiasts, and those passionate about fine dining.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement pricing is not disclosed in the operator's materials; confirm the cost for travelling alone before booking
  • The journey concludes with a morning transfer to Istanbul airport on Day 8; no overnight stay in Istanbul is included despite the final destination

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Paris

    Arrival in Paris

    Your once-in-a-lifetime journey begins at London St Pancras as you board the Eurostar. Travelling in spacious Plus class, enjoy a light meal at your seat as you dash through northern France enroute to Paris. On arrival in the 'City of Lights', you are transferred to your hotel and can enjoy a day exploring this most romantic of cities.

    Meals: Light meal on Eurostar

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (en route through France/Germany)

    Boarding the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    Stepping aboard the gleaming blue-and-gold carriages of the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l'Est station, your unforgettable experience begins. Welcomed on the world's most famous luxury train by the dedicated crew, you can settle into your cabin as the train departs for the first leg of your historic journey across Europe to Istanbul. Dinner is a sumptuous affair, prepared onboard by skilled chefs and served in one of the beautifully restored dining cars. Your culinary experience is accompanied by soothing music played by the resident pianist. Later, you may wish to unwind in the famous Bar Car 3674. During the night, the train continues its course through France and Germany.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Budapest

    Travelling through Austria & Hungary – Arriving in Budapest

    Wake up at leisure to enjoy new views while savouring a continental breakfast, served in your cabin by your steward. Admire the changing landscapes through your window as the train winds its way through Austria and into Hungary. Enjoy a delicious three-course lunch prior to your arrival in Budapest. On arrival in the Hungarian capital, expert local guides escort you to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a wonderful cocktail reception and dinner on the beautiful blue Danube.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (en route to Romania)

    Exploring Budapest

    Discover some of the fascinating sights of historic Budapest with guides this morning, including Heroes Square and Fishermen's Bastion. After your tour, sit down to a lunch of Hungarian specialities. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the majestic neo-Gothic Parliament building beside the river Danube. Back onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express this evening, your journey continues towards Romania. Indulge in a carefully created dinner and relax with a cocktail or glass of champagne as the train glides across the great Hungarian plains.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Bucharest

    Visiting Fairytale Peleș Castle

    Savour a continental breakfast in your cabin as the train glides through Romania. Soak up vistas of forested Transylvanian hillsides and peaceful villages before a delicious brunch is served in the dining cars. Nestled beside the wild Bucegi mountains, your destination is the historic town of Sinaia. Board a coach for the short journey to Peleș Castle, the fairytale palace built by Romania's King Carol as his summer retreat. The very first Orient Express passengers visited this beautiful residence in October 1883 at the king's personal invitation. Comfortable shoes and a sweater are recommended. Rejoin the train and continue towards Bucharest. On arrival in Romania's capital, expert guides escort you to your hotel. Later, enjoy dinner with musical entertainment at a private venue.

    Meals: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (en route to Turkey)

    Along the Black Sea Coast to Turkey

    The final leg of your journey to Istanbul begins today. Relax and enjoy the views as you travel south across the mighty Danube and into Bulgaria. Savour lunch in the dining car while the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express approaches the Black Sea coast. During the afternoon, a stop is made in the famed resort of Varna, where you alight for an aperitif on a private estate. This evening, a final unforgettable dinner is served as the train crosses the ancient Thracian Plain. Celebrate your last night aboard with a glass of something special, and enjoy the music of the resident pianist.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Istanbul

    Disembarking in Istanbul

    A continental breakfast is served in your cabin as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express travels onwards to its final country. The train stops at the Turkish border in Kapıkule for customs formalities. Browse the boutique for an exclusive range of elegant gifts and mementos. Today's lunch is served in dining cars and introduces you to exquisite Turkish flavours. Your journey aboard this exceptional train draws to a close as the elegant carriages pull into Istanbul. You enjoy a private transfer to your city centre hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8

    Homeward Bound

    Your unforgettable journey from Paris to the very edge of Europe has taken you through Budapest and Romania to the shores of the Black Sea. This morning, this once-in-a-lifetime holiday draws to a close as you transfer to the airport for your flight back home to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Boarding the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l'Est and settling into your Historic Cabin as the train departs for Istanbul
  • Day 3Waking in your cabin to continental breakfast served by your steward while the train winds through Austrian and Hungarian landscapes before arriving in Budapest
  • Day 4Guided tour of the ornately designed Hungarian Parliament building overlooking the Danube River in Budapest
  • Day 5Coach journey from Sinaia to visit the fairytale Peleș Castle, built by Romania's King Carol as his summer residence, set beside the forested Bucegi mountains
  • Day 6Stop in Varna on the Black Sea coast for an aperitif on a private estate, followed by a final dinner aboard the train

Included

  • 3 nights in a Historic Cabin aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express luxury train
  • 4 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Paris
  • All rail, coach and private transfers throughout the journey
  • Flight from Istanbul to London
  • Eurostar light meal
  • All meals aboard the train
  • All beverages including alcoholic drinks aboard the train
  • 24-hour steward service
  • Onboard entertainment

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Paris, and three nights aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Istanbul in a Historic Cabin. All rail transfers are included.
What is the itinerary?
Day 1: London to Paris via Eurostar; overnight in Paris. Days 2 to 4: aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, arriving in Budapest on Day 3 with a guided tour on Day 4. Day 5: coach to Peleș Castle in Romania; overnight in Bucharest. Day 6: continue to Varna on the Black Sea coast; overnight on the train. Day 7: arrive Istanbul with breakfast, lunch, and hotel overnight. Day 8: transfer to airport for return flight to London.
What hotels are included?
One night in Paris (either Hotel La Lanterne, 4-star, or Mandarin Oriental, 5-star), one night in Budapest, one night in Bucharest, and one night at the Four Seasons Sultanahmet in Istanbul.
Are meals included?
Yes. All meals aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are included, with beverages and alcoholic drinks. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided during hotel nights as part of the guided tour days.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted tour with expert local guides in Budapest and for the visit to Peleș Castle. The train provides 24-hour steward service.
What is the price?
From GBP 19,535 per person (approximately USD 26,089). The reverse journey from Istanbul to Paris is available from GBP 20,755.

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