For British travellers, the Orient Express holds a particular romance. The idea of stepping aboard a beautifully restored 1920s carriage, crossing the Channel and the Alps, and waking to the shimmer of the Venetian lagoon is one of the great journeys still available today. The good news is that it remains entirely possible to travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from the UK, and the journey from London to Venice is the most celebrated route of all.
As specialists in luxury rail travel, we arrange this journey for UK guests throughout the season, from the first Eurostar out of London to the moment you arrive in Venice. This guide explains exactly how the trip works from the UK, what it costs, what to expect on board, and how to book, so you can plan your own once-in-a-lifetime adventure with confidence.
Can You Still Take the Orient Express from London?
Yes. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express runs regularly through the travel season, and London is one of the most popular starting points for the journey to Venice. There is sometimes confusion here, because the name "Orient Express" is now used by more than one operator, but the classic blue-and-gold train of restored vintage carriages, run by Belmond, continues to make its celebrated crossings of Europe.
From the UK, the journey begins with Eurostar. You travel from London St Pancras International to Paris, and there you join the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for the overnight journey onward to Venice. It is a wonderfully civilised way to begin, the whole trip stays on the rails, with no airports involved, and we coordinate the Eurostar timing with the train's departure so the connection is seamless.
How the Journey Works from the UK
The signature journey is London to Venice, and it unfolds over one glorious day and night. Understanding the shape of it helps explain why it feels less like a transfer and more like a destination in itself. The whole experience is built around the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express itself.
From London to Paris
Your journey begins at London St Pancras International, where you board Eurostar for the high-speed run beneath the Channel to Paris, arriving in a little over two hours. From Paris you transfer to join the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, we can arrange a night in Paris before you travel.
The Overnight Leg to Venice
The heart of the journey is the overnight run from Paris to Venice aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express itself. Through the afternoon and evening the train travels south and east across France and Switzerland, climbing into the Alps as dinner is served. You wake the next morning to the mountains giving way to the plains of northern Italy, and by late morning the train glides across the causeway into Venice Santa Lucia, with the city and its lagoon spread before you.
Arriving in Venice
Arrival in Venice is one of the most memorable moments of the whole trip. Rather than the anticlimax of an airport, you step from a vintage carriage directly into the heart of one of the world's most beautiful cities, with a private water taxi able to carry you onward to your hotel along the canals. Many guests choose to spend two or three nights in Venice afterwards, and we are happy to arrange hotels and transfers as part of the booking.
Getting There: Eurostar and Connections
For most UK guests, the practical starting point is Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris. It is a comfortable, civilised way to reach the continental train, and it keeps the whole journey on the rails rather than involving flights. When we arrange your trip, we coordinate the timing of your Eurostar with the departure of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, so there is no anxiety about connections, and we can arrange a hotel in Paris the night before for those who prefer to travel at a relaxed pace.
Luggage is worth a word. The vintage carriages are not built for large modern suitcases, so a degree of packing discipline is required, and we advise guests on the practicalities before they travel. Larger bags can usually be managed with the right arrangements, which again is something we handle as part of the service.
What the Journey Is Like On Board
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is not simply a means of getting to Venice; it is a moving celebration of a more elegant age. Every carriage is an original, restored to the standard of the 1920s and 1930s, with inlaid marquetry, polished brass, crisp linen and the craftsmanship of a period when travel was an occasion.
Cabins and Accommodation
Accommodation comes in several tiers. The Historic Twin cabins are beautifully restored and convert from a daytime sitting room to a night-time sleeping compartment; in keeping with the period, they have a washbasin in the cabin and share a WC at the end of each carriage. Guests seeking en-suite facilities choose a Suite or Grand Suite, or the exceptional L'Observatoire carriage, all of which offer private bathrooms and greater space. It is worth deciding early which level suits you, as the finest cabins are booked well in advance.
Dining
Dining is central to the experience. Meals are prepared fresh on board by French chefs and served in exquisitely restored 1920s restaurant cars, with fine wines and impeccable service. Dressing for dinner is very much part of the occasion; black tie is warmly encouraged in the evening, and the atmosphere is one of glamour and celebration. As the saying goes on the train, you can never be overdressed.
The Alpine Crossing
The scenery is a highlight in its own right. The train's route carries it through the mountains, and the crossing of the Alps, glimpsed from your cabin window or the bar car, is among the most beautiful stretches of rail travel anywhere in Europe. A pianist in the bar car, a cocktail before dinner and the passing landscape combine to make the evening unforgettable.
Orient Express Prices from the UK
Fares for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Paris to Venice journey start from £4,275 per person for the remainder of 2026. From 2027, fares are priced in euros, starting from €4,510 per person. Suites and the finest cabins carry a premium, and prices vary by date and availability, so the figures here are a guide rather than a quotation.
From the UK, you should also allow for Eurostar, an additional £400 per person to Paris, together with any hotel nights in Paris or Venice and transfers such as the private water taxi in Venice. Because these vary from trip to trip, we bring everything together into a single, clear price when we put your itinerary together, so there are no surprises. Fares and availability change through the year, so we always confirm current pricing before booking.
What is included on board is generous: your cabin, all meals and fine dining, the full on-board experience and service. Drinks and gratuities are typically additional, and we set out exactly what is and is not included when we quote.
When Does the Orient Express Run?
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express operates through the travel season, broadly from spring to late autumn, with departures on set dates rather than daily. The London to Venice journey is among the most frequent, but places are limited and the most popular dates sell out well ahead, so early booking is strongly advised, particularly for peak periods and for the finest cabins. If you have a specific date or occasion in mind, it is best to enquire early so we can secure your preferred departure.
Beyond Venice: Other Routes and Journeys
While London to Venice is the classic, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express also travels to other great European cities, including Vienna, Prague and Budapest, and each spring undertakes the celebrated journey all the way to Istanbul, recreating the original 1883 route across several extraordinary days. For UK guests who love the idea of arriving in style but want to stay closer to home, Belmond's British Pullman offers day journeys and short trips from London in the same vintage spirit. We arrange all of these, and can advise on which best suits the occasion you have in mind.
How to Book the Orient Express from the UK
Booking the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is not quite like booking an ordinary holiday. Cabins are limited, departures are on fixed dates, and the surrounding arrangements, Eurostar, hotels, transfers, need to fit together smoothly. This is where a specialist earns their place.
As independent luxury rail specialists based in the UK, we arrange the entire journey on your behalf: the train, your preferred cabin, the Eurostar connection from London, hotels in Paris and Venice, and every transfer in between. We know the train, we know the routes, and we handle the detail so that all you have to do is enjoy it. To start planning, simply get in touch and tell us your preferred dates and the experience you are looking for.
Call our specialists on 0333 405 0192 or send an enquiry, and we will help you plan the journey of a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You reach the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London by taking Eurostar from St Pancras International to Paris, then boarding the train there for the overnight journey on to Venice.
The classic London to Venice journey takes roughly a day and a night. You depart London in the morning, travel across France and the Alps through the afternoon and evening with dinner served on board, sleep in your cabin overnight, and arrive in Venice late the following morning.
Fares for the Paris to Venice journey start from £4,275 per person for the remainder of 2026, with Eurostar from London an additional £400 per person. From 2027, fares are priced in euros, from €4,510 per person. Suites cost more and prices vary by date, so we provide a full, confirmed quotation before booking.
Yes. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris is how UK guests reach the train, and we coordinate the timing so your connection is seamless. You then join the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Paris for the overnight journey to Venice.
Yes. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express continues to operate through the season, with the London to Venice route among its most popular. Departures are on set dates, and the busiest ones sell out well in advance.
On board, your cabin, all meals including fine dining, and the full on-board experience and service are included. Drinks and gratuities are usually additional, and connections such as Eurostar, hotels and transfers are arranged separately as part of your overall package.
Elegant daywear is appropriate during the day, and guests dress formally for dinner, with black tie warmly encouraged in the evening. Dressing for dinner is part of the experience and adds to the sense of occasion.
Absolutely, and most guests do. We can arrange hotels in Venice and a private water taxi from the station, as well as nights in Paris before you travel, so your journey becomes a complete holiday rather than a single train ride.