Paris to Vienna & Budapest
Paris is the starting point of this special journey to two more cities of splendour — imperial Vienna and majestic Budapest. The train leaves Paris in the afternoon, crosses France and Germany overnight, and after a stop in Vienna the following midday continues through Austria and into Hungary to arrive in Budapest as evening falls.
The First Evening
You check in at Paris Gare d'Austerlitz and board the blue-and-gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Space in the cabins is limited, so pack a small case for the journey and check your main luggage through to Vienna or Budapest — or, if you have booked an inclusive package with us, straight through to your hotel.
Your dedicated steward welcomes you aboard with a glass of sparkling wine and shows you to your compartment. Before dinner, try the Bar Car's signature "Guilty Twelve" cocktail — its secret recipe known only to the bartender and inspired by Murder on the Orient Express — then head to one of the three restaurant cars for a four-course dinner prepared by the train's French chefs. Afterwards, linger in the Bar Car to the sound of the baby grand piano before retiring to your cabin, now transformed into a cosy bedroom.
The Second Day
As you wake, your steward brings a Continental breakfast to your cabin so you can enjoy the passing scenery — Alpine peaks, rolling meadows and pristine lakes — from your window. A leisurely three-course lunch follows as the views continue, and there is time to browse the onboard boutique for a keepsake before the train reaches Vienna around midday.
After Vienna, the train carries on through Austria and into Hungary. As the Hungarian countryside unfolds, pastries are served with tea and coffee before your evening arrival in Budapest.
What Is Included
Complimentary Transfer
A transfer from your Paris accommodation to Gare d'Austerlitz before departure.
Cabin Accommodation
Your private cabin throughout, made up as a lounge by day and a bedroom at night.
Four-Course Dinner
Dinner on the first evening in one of the restaurant cars, prepared fresh on board.
Three-Course Lunch
A leisurely lunch on the second day as the train approaches Vienna.
Breakfast in Your Cabin
Continental breakfast brought to your cabin by your steward on the second morning.
Afternoon Tea & Pastries
Served in your cabin as the train travels on through Austria into Hungary.
Timetable
Departure Dates
This journey runs on a small number of selected dates each year, from spring to winter, and some departures travel to Vienna only. For the current 2026 and 2027 departure dates and to check availability, call us on 0333 405 0192 or see our VSOE Timetables page.
2026 Fares: Paris to Vienna & Budapest
| Cabin Type | Paris to Vienna | Paris to Budapest |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Twin Cabin | from £3,885 | from £4,275 |
| Suite | from £8,785 | from £10,625 |
| Grand Suite | from £13,530 | from £13,530 |
All fares are per person, one way, based on two sharing, and include all meals and a transfer from your Paris accommodation. 2026 prices in pounds sterling; 2027 prices are in euros. See the full fare table for all routes and years.
Budapest & Vienna to Paris
The return journey departs Budapest in the morning, calls at Vienna in the late afternoon, and runs overnight to Paris. You have the whole of the first day on board in daylight, watching the Hungarian and Austrian countryside pass by, before dinner and a night on the rails brings you to Paris the following morning.
The First Day
You board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Budapest and, once settled into your cabin, make your way to one of the elegant dining cars for a sumptuous lunch as the Hungarian countryside slips by. The afternoon is yours to relax, with a selection of pastries served in the comfort of your cabin, as the train crosses into Austria and calls at Vienna in the late afternoon, where some guests join the journey. From Vienna the train continues westward: unwind in the Bar Car to the melodies of the baby grand piano before a four-course dinner in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars, then take a stroll through the carriages to admire their detail before retiring to your cabin, now made up for the night.
The Second Day
Continental breakfast is brought to your cabin by your steward as the train travels on towards Paris. The Orient Express draws into Paris Gare d'Austerlitz in the morning, where you bid farewell to your fellow passengers and disembark — perfectly placed to continue your travels, or to catch the Eurostar home to London.
What Is Included
Cabin Accommodation
Your private cabin throughout, made up as a lounge by day and a bedroom at night.
Three-Course Lunch
Lunch in the restaurant car on the first day as the train leaves Budapest.
Afternoon Tea & Pastries
Served in your cabin during the afternoon before the train reaches Vienna.
Four-Course Dinner
Dinner in one of the restaurant cars as the train travels on from Vienna.
Breakfast in Your Cabin
Continental breakfast brought to your cabin by your steward on the second morning.
Personal Steward
The attentive service of your own cabin steward throughout the journey.
Timetable
Departure Dates
Like the outbound journey, the return runs on a small number of selected dates each year, and some departures start from Vienna only. For the current 2026 and 2027 departure dates and to check availability, call us on 0333 405 0192 or see our VSOE Timetables page.
2026 Fares: Budapest & Vienna to Paris
| Cabin Type | Budapest to Paris | Vienna to Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Historic Twin Cabin | from £4,275 | from £4,275 |
| Suite | from £9,660 | from £9,660 |
| Grand Suite | from £13,530 | from £13,530 |
All fares are per person, one way, based on two sharing, and include all meals on board. 2026 prices in pounds sterling; 2027 prices are in euros. See the full fare table for all routes and years.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Paris, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express uses Gare d'Austerlitz for the Vienna and Budapest routes. In Vienna the train calls at Westbahnhof, and in Budapest at Nyugati (Western) station. If you are travelling from the UK, the simplest approach is Eurostar between London St Pancras and Paris, which we can arrange as part of your booking.
Yes. On selected departures the journey runs to Vienna only, or begins at Vienna rather than Budapest. These are marked on the timetable, and we are happy to advise which dates suit the journey you have in mind.
All fares include your cabin accommodation on board, all meals — breakfast and afternoon tea served in your cabin, lunch and dinner in the restaurant cars — and the services of a personal cabin steward throughout. Bathrobes, slippers and Temple Spa amenities are provided in all cabin types. The Paris departure also includes a transfer from your Paris accommodation to the station.
Suites and Grand Suites have private en suite bathrooms with toilet, shower and washbasin. Historic Twin Cabins have a washbasin inside the cabin and share toilets at the end of each carriage — part of the authentic 1920s character of the train.
For dinner, the minimum for gentlemen is a lounge suit and tie, though many guests choose black tie, which is warmly encouraged; ladies wear smart evening attire. Daytime dress is smart casual. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts and trainers are not acceptable on board at any time.
Yes. We can arrange the whole holiday around the train — flights or Eurostar, luxury hotels in Paris, Vienna or Budapest, and all private transfers. Call our specialists and we will build it around you.