Classic Orient Express

The legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers an overnight travel experience unlike any other. As you board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, you step back into a more gracious, elegant age where your personal steward, available to attend your every comfort, will show you to your comfortable compartment of gleaming wood, polished brass, soft towels and crisp linen. Your compartment provides a restful retreat offering panoramic views of ever changing landscapes as you travel through the Swiss, Austrian and Italian Alps. Dining on board is unforgettable, and divine. Start with an aperitif in Bar Car, famous for its delicious cocktails and welcoming atmosphere. Then on to one of the dining cars where softly muted lighting enhances the relaxed mood, and fine linen, French silverware and superb crystal set the scene for a gastronomic experience that you will always remember.

For truly romantic travel from London to Venice, via Paris and Verona, book an overnight journey on one of the world’s most famous and elegant trains, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Enjoy the ultimate in luxurious rail travel with sumptuous cuisine and highly professional personal service. This is the perfect journey to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary, or simply to make a holiday into an even more special and memorable occasion.

London to Venice

Normally, customers from the UK book the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice and return to the UK by air, but we can of course book this most luxurious of trains as a return journey, London-Venice-London. Or, you may prefer to start your holiday with a flight to Venice and end your holiday extravagantly by returning to the UK on the train. Whichever you prefer simply let our reservations team organise your itinerary for you.

Orient Express Itinerary

London to Venice

Depart London mid-morning on either a Thursday or Sunday and arrive in Venice in the late afternoon the next day (either Friday or Monday): in good time to settle in to your hotel and relax before your evening meal. As this brochure goes to print, trains are scheduled to depart from London Victoria station at 9.55am, and arrive at 5.46pm the following day at Santa Lucia station in Venice. However, timings may be subject to change and will be confirmed on your travel documents. As you board the gleaming carriages of the British Pullman train at London Victoria station, simply sit back and enjoy a glass of champagne and a three course lunch with wine as you make your way to the south coast. On arrival at Folkestone our hostesses escort you onto the coach transfer Shuttle Service through the Channel Tunnel to France.

Once in France, at Calais Ville, the immaculate Wagons-Lits carriages of the continental Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train await your arrival. After settling comfortably into your private compartment, you have time to relax and then dress for dinner. You’ll no doubt wish to sample an aperitif or two before making your way to one of the magnificent restaurant cars where you will be served a delicious four course evening meal prepared by one of the many skilled French chefs. Afterwards you may wish to linger in the Bar Car, enjoying a coffee or after-dinner drink and listening to the sounds of the baby grand piano. And when you are eventually ready to retire, you’ll be delighted to return to your compartment which will have been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

After a relaxing night, you’ll awake to the magnificent scenery of the Swiss Alps as breakfast is served to you in your compartment. Spend the morning in the Bar Car chatting to fellow guests over coffee before a leisurely three course lunch which is served in another of the beautiful restaurant cars. While away the afternoon with a visit to the onboard boutique to purchase souvenirs or simply relax in your compartment and admire the passing scenery as the train travels through the Italian Dolomites. Later, afternoon tea is served in your compartment as you travel through the spectacular Brenner Pass. All too soon it is time to prepare to disembark as the train crosses the Venetian Lagoon and pulls into Venice’s Santa Lucia station.

Venice to Rome

On occasional Sundays between April and October, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express runs a service between Venice and Rome. It leaves Santa Lucia station in Venice in the early morning and arrives at Ostiense station in Rome in the late afternoon, or departs from Rome in the evening, arriving in Venice the following morning. If you would like to book a twin centre city break to explore the sights of these two most remarkable cities, and transfer by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, it certainly would make for a very special and memorable holiday experience. Simply contact our reservations team for availability and prices.

Venice to Rome Itinerary

Board the immaculately restored carriages of the Venice Simplon- Orient-Express at Venice Santa Lucia station on Sunday morning. Visit the Bar Car for an aperitif before enjoying a delicious three course lunch which is served in one of the delightful restaurant cars. Afterwards you’ll no doubt wish to relax in the Bar Car, chatting to fellow travellers as the wonderful Italian scenery delights with its ever changing views. You’ll have time to visit the on board boutique for a gift or souvenir before afternoon tea is served. Later in the afternoon the train pulls into Rome Ostiense station, in good time for you to book into your hotel and relax before your evening meal.

When to go

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express operates between London and Venice via Paris and Verona between mid-March to mid-November; it is a delightful way to travel at any time of the year, and we’re happy to book either a return journey on the train for you, or the outbound or return journey combined with flights either from London to Venice, or Venice to London. We are happy to tailor-make your holiday to your own personal requirements, simply let us know the dates that you would like to travel and your choice of hotel/s. As a guide, a short four-night break to Venice travelling overnight from London to Venice on the train, staying in The Cipriani for 3 nights and returning by air to London costs from £2,778 per person in April, and from £2,989 per person in May, based on two adults sharing a compartment on the train.