Is all train travel included in the price?

Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris (Standard Premier), TGV from Paris to Montreux (First Class), EuroCity from Montreux to Venice (First Class), and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Amsterdam in a private sleeping compartment with all meals. Return Eurostar to London is also included.

What is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?

A legendary luxury train with historic Art Deco carriages in blue and gold. You sleep in a private twin sleeping compartment attended by a personal steward. Gourmet three-course meals are served in the restaurant cars, and the train travels through the Swiss Alps and across Europe en route to Amsterdam.

How many nights do I spend in hotels versus on the train?

You stay one night in Montreux (Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic), three nights in Venice, one night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and one night in Amsterdam (Kimpton De Witt). Total: six nights with one overnight train journey.

Is the tour escorted or independent?

Independent, except for the personal steward service aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You travel by rail independently, and in Venice and Amsterdam you are free to explore at your own pace.

When does this trip run?

Planet Rail lists one departure in April 2027; confirm details with the operator before booking.

What is not included in the package price?

Optional attractions in Venice (gondola rides, entry to the Doge's Palace), visits to Château de Chillon in Montreux, the Anne Frank House, and Dutch barge canal trips in Amsterdam. These are payable locally.

Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

Venice to Amsterdam on the Venice Simplon Orient Express (2027 Departures)

Venice to Amsterdam on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with Alpine rail

Planet Rail operates this seven-day luxury rail journey that departs London in April 2027 and ends in Amsterdam, traveling through five European countries aboard some of the continent's finest trains. The route combines First Class rail travel through the French and Swiss Alps with a legendary overnight journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a private sleeping compartment. You begin by Eurostar to Paris, then continue by TGV into Switzerland for one night in lakeside Montreux. Next, the EuroCity train carries you through Alpine scenery and into Italy, arriving at Venice for a three-day unguided stay where you explore the city's canals, squares, and islands at your own pace. On day five, you board the Orient Express and travel northward in Art Deco style, sleeping in your private cabin while enjoying gourmet three-course meals in the restaurant cars. The final day is spent in Amsterdam before your return Eurostar to London. This package suits luxury seekers and couples who value heritage rail travel, historic architecture, and the comfort of high-end hotels.

What to know before you look closer

Only one departure is currently listed: April 2027; confirm availability and book well ahead
The hotel in Venice is not named in the evidence; Planet Rail lists it as a top-quality 4 or 5-star option depending on your tier choice
Several attractions in Amsterdam and Montreux are payable locally (Château de Chillon, Anne Frank House, Dutch barge canal trips), not included in the package price

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Montreux
London to Montreux by First Class rail
Your holiday begins as you stroll into beautifully restored London St. Pancras station. Travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, enjoying the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at the Gare du Nord a private taxi will transfer you across the city to the Gare de Lyon, where you continue your journey by TGV through France into Switzerland, alongside sparkling Lake Geneva to the elegant lakeside town of Montreux. Your hotel for one night is the recently refurbished, belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) located right next to the station. You might like to stroll around Montreux or board the trolley bus for the short journey to the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally), considered to be one of the best-preserved castles in Europe.
Day 2railovernight: Venice
Through the Swiss Alps to Venice
This morning after breakfast make your way across to the station and board the Euro City train as it snakes its way through picturesque scenery, past soaring mountain peaks, up the spectacular Rhône Valley into Italy. You change trains in Milan and continue to Venice. On arrival at Venezia Santa Lucia station your water taxi will transfer you in the best possible style to your chosen hotel for the next three nights.
Day 3overnight: Venice
Incomparable Venice
Step out in Venice and allow this unique and captivating city to carry you where it will. From St. Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal to a visit inside the stunning Doges Palace, wander amid the myriad of canals along blissfully traffic-free alleyways and campi. A short boat ride will lead you to pretty islands on the lagoon, including Murano, home of glass-blowing, and colourful Burano, where lace and linen abound.
Day 4overnight: Venice
Incomparable Venice
Step out in Venice and allow this unique and captivating city to carry you where it will. From St. Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal to a visit inside the stunning Doges Palace, wander amid the myriad of canals along blissfully traffic-free alleyways and campi. A short boat ride will lead you to pretty islands on the lagoon, including Murano, home of glass-blowing, and colourful Burano, where lace and linen abound.
Day 5railovernight: On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Venice through to Switzerland aboard the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express
This morning after breakfast bid farewell to Venice as your water taxi transfers you across the lagoon to Venice Santa Lucia station. Board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and your historic twin compartment, attended throughout by your own personal Steward. Enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch in one of the beautiful restaurant cars, admire breath-taking views of the Dolomites, Brenner and Arlberg Passes, then dress for dinner: a delicious four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs. After dinner linger in the bar car listening to the baby grand piano before retiring to your compartment, now transformed into a cosy bedroom.
Day 6railovernight: Amsterdam
Arrival into Paris and onto Brussels and Amsterdam
Breakfast is served in your cabin at a time to suit you. Visit the on-board Boutique, while away the hours in conversation or admire the passing scenery as you travel northwards through Europe. Enjoy another leisurely three-course lunch in one of the beautiful restaurant cars, and later coffee and pastries served in your compartment. All too soon it is time to disembark as the train pulls into Amsterdam Centraal. From here you make your own arrangements to your overnight hotel, the elegant Kimpton De Witt (4 star), just 400 metres from the station.
Day 7rail
Free-time in Amsterdam and your own arrangements, homeward bound
Make the most of your time in this beautiful city. Explore Amsterdam on foot along the enchanting network of canals or take to the water on a Dutch barge (payable locally). Visit the flower market, the Vondelpark, the Anne Frank House (payable locally) or the Museum Quarter with the fabulous Van Gogh museum. Then make your way to Centraal station to join the Eurostar back to London, arriving into St Pancras International for the final leg of your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras at speeds up to 186 mph, then travel by TGV through France alongside Lake Geneva into Switzerland
Day 2EuroCity train snakes through the Swiss Alps and Rhône Valley, changes in Milan, then arrives at Venice Santa Lucia station for water taxi transfer
Day 5Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in its immaculate blue and gold carriages; settle into your private twin sleeping compartment with personal steward and enjoy a three-course lunch in the restaurant car
Day 6Travel northward through Europe on the Orient Express with breakfast in your cabin, leisurely lunch in the restaurant car, and afternoon coffee and pastries as you approach Amsterdam

Included

First Class rail travel from London to Venice
Overnight accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe lake view room in Montreux
3 nights’ accommodation at a top quality 4 or 5 star hotel in Venice
Water taxi transfer to/from Venice Santa Lucia station to your hotel
Rail travel in ultimate style on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Amsterdam with all meals included and overnight accommodation in a private sleeping compartment
Overnight stay in Amsterdam

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?: Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris (Standard Premier), TGV from Paris to Montreux (First Class), EuroCity from Montreux to Venice (First Class), and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Amsterdam in a private sleeping compartment with all meals. Return Eurostar to London is also included.
What is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?: A legendary luxury train with historic Art Deco carriages in blue and gold. You sleep in a private twin sleeping compartment attended by a personal steward. Gourmet three-course meals are served in the restaurant cars, and the train travels through the Swiss Alps and across Europe en route to Amsterdam.
How many nights do I spend in hotels versus on the train?: You stay one night in Montreux (Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic), three nights in Venice, one night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and one night in Amsterdam (Kimpton De Witt). Total: six nights with one overnight train journey.
Is the tour escorted or independent?: Independent, except for the personal steward service aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You travel by rail independently, and in Venice and Amsterdam you are free to explore at your own pace.
When does this trip run?: Planet Rail lists one departure in April 2027; confirm details with the operator before booking.
What is not included in the package price?: Optional attractions in Venice (gondola rides, entry to the Doge's Palace), visits to Château de Chillon in Montreux, the Anne Frank House, and Dutch barge canal trips in Amsterdam. These are payable locally.

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Planet Rail