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Planet Rail · Escorted rail holiday

Venice to London on the Venice Simplon Orient Express

London to Venice by rail, return on the Orient Express sleeper to Paris

Illustration of Venice to London on the Venice Simplon Orient Express

Planet Rail's Venice to London journey via the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers a rare glimpse of European rail travel at its most refined. Over six days and five nights, you travel from London through the Alps to Venice in First Class, spend three nights exploring the canals and squares of this singular city, then return to London aboard the legendary Orient Express in a private sleeping compartment with all meals included. The journey opens with a high-speed run across the Channel on Eurostar, continues by TGV through France alongside Lake Geneva, then descends via Euro City into the Italian Alps and Dolomites to reach Venice Santa Lucia station. After three days of independent wandering through Venice's St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, and the Murano glass islands, you board the ornate Wagons-Lits sleeper train on day 5, where your steward attends you in your cabin while the train carries you through the night toward Paris, your restaurant car tables set with silver and china for a four-course dinner.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of £4,645 per person includes all rail, hotels, and meals on the Orient Express, but Château de Chillon entry and gondola rides in Venice are payable locally.
  • Gondola rides and exploration of Venice are not guided; you explore at your own pace over three days.
  • Alternative hotels in Venice are available at a supplement; contact Planet Rail for details and pricing.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux

    London to Montreux by First Class Rail

    Your holiday begins at London St. Pancras station. Travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, enjoying a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier service. On arrival at Gare du Nord a private taxi transfers you to Gare de Lyon. Continue by TGV through France into Switzerland, alongside sparkling Lake Geneva to the elegant lakeside town of Montreux. Check in to the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) located right next to the station. Optional visit to the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally).

    Meals: Lunch (on Eurostar)

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice

    Through the Swiss Alps to Venice by First Class Rail

    After breakfast, board the Euro City train which snakes through picturesque scenery, past soaring mountain peaks, up the spectacular Rhône Valley into Italy, passing Milan and continuing to Venice. On arrival at Venezia Santa Lucia station, a private water taxi transfers you to your hotel for the next three nights.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Incomparable Venice

    Step out in Venice and allow this unique and captivating city to carry you where it will. Enjoy Venice at dusk and after dark. 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 (squares). A short boat ride leads to the lagoon islands of Murano (glass-blowing) and colourful Burano (lace and linen).

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Incomparable Venice (continued)

    Continue to explore Venice at your own pace. Experience the city's luminous quality which emanates from the colours of its painted palazzo, ornate stone bridges and Byzantine basilicas all reflected against the tapestry of canals and lagoons.

    Meals: Breakfast

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

    Venice through to Switzerland aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

    After breakfast, a water taxi transfers you across the lagoon to Venice Santa Lucia station. Board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward shows you to your private cabin and attends you throughout the journey. Enjoy a sumptuous three-course lunch in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your cabin gazing at the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps, or chatting in the Bar Car. Afternoon tea is served in your compartment. Dress for dinner and enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail before a delicious four-course dinner prepared by skilled French chefs. Linger in the bar car with the baby grand piano before retiring to your compartment, transformed into a cosy bedroom.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (3-course), Afternoon Tea, Dinner (4-course)

  6. Day 6rail

    Arrival into Paris – Paris to London – Homeward Bound

    Breakfast is served in your cabin by your steward at a time to suit you. The train pulls into Paris Gare de l'Est where you disembark the Orient Express. After a short transfer, depart Paris for London by First Class rail, arriving into London Victoria station.

    Meals: Breakfast (in cabin)

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St. Pancras at speeds of up to 186mph across the Channel, with light meal and drinks in Standard Premier service.
  • Day 2The Euro City train winds through the Swiss Alps and Rhône Valley past soaring mountain peaks into Italy, arriving at Venice Santa Lucia station.
  • Day 3Free exploration of Venice from St. Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge to the lagoon islands of Murano and Burano by boat.
  • Day 5Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice Santa Lucia in a private Wagons-Lits sleeping compartment; enjoy a three-course lunch and four-course dinner in the restored restaurant cars.
  • Day 6Breakfast served in your cabin before arrival in Paris; then First Class rail returns you to London Victoria.

Included

  • Rail travel on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris with all meals included
  • Overnight accommodation in a private sleeping compartment on the Orient Express
  • 3 nights' accommodation with breakfast in a double room at Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente (4 star) in Venice
  • 1 night's accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe lake view double room at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
  • First Class rail from London to Montreux (via Eurostar and TGV)
  • First Class rail from Paris to London
  • Private taxi transfer in Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon)
  • Private water taxi transfers between Venice station and hotel

Not included

  • Château de Chillon entry (payable locally)
  • Gondola rides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional fly to Venice (saving of up to £400 per person available if flying instead of first class rail)

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. Planet Rail includes First Class rail from London to Montreux via Eurostar and TGV, the Euro City to Venice, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris with a private sleeping compartment and all meals, and First Class rail from Paris back to London Victoria.
What is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and what is included?
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a legendary luxury train. Your package includes one night aboard in a private Wagons-Lits sleeping compartment with all meals: a three-course lunch, afternoon tea, and a four-course dinner in the restored restaurant cars, plus breakfast served in your cabin.
How much time do I have in Venice?
Three nights. The itinerary leaves days 3 and 4 completely free for independent exploration of St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, Doges Palace, and the lagoon islands. A private water taxi transfers you between the station and your hotel.
What hotels are included?
One night at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, a 4-star superior property in Montreux on Lake Geneva with a deluxe lake view double room and breakfast. Three nights at Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, a 4-star hotel in Venice with breakfast included. Both are double rooms.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Planet Rail classifies this as an escorted rail holiday. Days 1, 2, 5, and 6 involve guided travel on the trains. Days 3 and 4 in Venice are completely independent; you explore at your own pace.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included each morning at both hotels and in your cabin on the Orient Express. Lunch on the Eurostar (day 1) and a three-course lunch, afternoon tea, and four-course dinner on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (day 5) are included. Meals on days 3 and 4 in Venice are not included.

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