Is all the train travel included?

Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris in Standard Premier, TGV from Paris to Montreux in First Class, EuroCity from Montreux to Venice in First Class, 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.

What is included on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?

Your private double sleeping compartment, all meals (a three-course lunch is mentioned), and steward service throughout the night journey from Venice to Paris.

How many nights do I spend in hotels?

Four nights: one at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux and three at the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente in Venice, both four-star properties with breakfast included.

Is the tour escorted or independent?

It is independent except on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, where a personal steward attends you in your cabin. Private taxi and water taxi transfers are arranged for you.

What is not included?

Meals in Venice and Montreux beyond breakfast are not mentioned as included. Optional extras like a visit to Château de Chillon in Montreux are payable locally.

When does this trip run?

Planet Rail offers 24 departures in 2027 across March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December.

Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

Venice to London on the Venice Simplon Orient Express, outbound by First Class Rail (2027 Departures)

London to Venice and back on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in first class

Planet Rail's Venice to London journey is a six-day luxury rail holiday that bookends the world-famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with First Class rail on either end. You depart London St. Pancras on Eurostar, cross Paris by private taxi, then travel via TGV through the French countryside and into Switzerland, arriving in Montreux for a night at the four-star Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic. The next morning the EuroCity train carries you through Alpine scenery and past Milan into Venice, where you spend three nights exploring the city's canals, squares, and islands at your own pace, staying at the four-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente. The signature experience comes on Day 5: you board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a private sleeping compartment with restaurant-car meals and cabin steward service as the train carries you overnight to Paris. From there, First Class rail returns you to London. This itinerary suits luxury-seekers, repeat rail travellers, couples, and history enthusiasts who value both famous trains and celebrated cities.

What to know before you look closer

The return journey on the Orient Express occupies only one night (Day 5); the outbound journey uses standard rail services
The Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic is listed as four-star superior, and alternative Venice hotels are available at a supplement; confirm your final accommodation with Planet Rail when booking
A private taxi transfer in Paris is included, but the itinerary does not detail Paris sightseeing time or a hotel stay there

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 service. 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 belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) located right next to the station. 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 by First Class rail
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 pass 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, where your steward shows you to your private cabin and attends you throughout your journey. Enjoy a sumptuous three course lunch in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars, spend the afternoon gazing at the passing scenery of the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps or chatting with fellow travellers in the Bar Car, with afternoon tea served in your compartment. Later 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 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 you leave Paris to head to London by First Class rail, before your train draws into London for the final leg of your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Depart London St. Pancras on Eurostar at speeds up to 186mph through the Channel Tunnel to Paris
Day 2The EuroCity train climbs through the Rhône Valley and Alps into Italy, passing Milan before arriving in Venice
Day 5Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in your private sleeping compartment with a three-course lunch in the restored restaurant car as the train departs Venice for Paris

Included

Rail travel in ultimate style on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris with all meals included and overnight accommodation in a private sleeping compartment
3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast in a double room at the Hotel Ai Mori d’Oriente (4 star) in Venice
1 night’s accommodation with breakfast in a deluxe lake view double room at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
Overnight on the Orient Express for your return journey from Venice to Paris
A private taxi transfer in Paris, and private water taxi transfers between the station and your hotel in Venice
First Class rail from Paris back to London

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?: Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London to Paris in Standard Premier, TGV from Paris to Montreux in First Class, EuroCity from Montreux to Venice in First Class, 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.
What is included on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?: Your private double sleeping compartment, all meals (a three-course lunch is mentioned), and steward service throughout the night journey from Venice to Paris.
How many nights do I spend in hotels?: Four nights: one at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux and three at the Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente in Venice, both four-star properties with breakfast included.
Is the tour escorted or independent?: It is independent except on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, where a personal steward attends you in your cabin. Private taxi and water taxi transfers are arranged for you.
What is not included?: Meals in Venice and Montreux beyond breakfast are not mentioned as included. Optional extras like a visit to Château de Chillon in Montreux are payable locally.
When does this trip run?: Planet Rail offers 24 departures in 2027 across March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December.