Paris to Istanbul and Istanbul to Venice on the
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express embarks on its annual journey to Istanbul, recreating this iconic experience from an era of the golden age of travel.

PARIS - BUDAPEST - BUCHAREST - ISTANBUL

6 days / 5 night

Day 1 - Paris : Board the blue and gold carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l' Est, mid afternoon. Throughout your journey you will be attended by your own personal Steward. After you have settled into your comfortable private compartment it will soon be time for afternoon tea which is served in your cabin as you watch the French scenery glide by. As the train continues it journey across Europe, it is soon time to dress for dinner. Why not enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail before making your way to one of the Art Deco restaurant cars. Here you will be served a delicious four-course dinner, prepared by the train's skilled French chefs. After dinner you may want to mingle with fellow travellers in the Bar Car, listening to the sound of the baby grand piano. When you are ready, retire to your compartment, which has now been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

Day 2 - Budapest : Continental breakfast is served in your compartment as the train passes into Hungary. Spend the morning in the Bar Car chatting to fellow guests over coffee. Enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch served in one of the beautiful restaurant cars. While away the afternoon with a visit to the on board Boutique to purchase souvenirs, or relax in your compartment and admire passing scenery as the train travels through Hungary. Later, afternoon tea is served in your compartment as you approach Budapest. On arrival, transfer to your luxury hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight in Budapest.

Overnight : Gresham Four Seasons Hotel, Budapest or similar

Day 3 - Budapest : After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a private guided tour of Budapest and later visit a local restaurant for lunch. The remainder of the day is at leisure until you rejoin the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express late in the afternoon for your onward journey. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the Bar Car before heading to one of the opulent restaurant cars for a sumptuous dinner as the train heads into Romania.

Day 4 - Bucharest : Your cabin steward serves breakfast in your cabin as the train approaches the mountain town of Sinaia. Prior to arriving in the mountain town of Sinaia, a delicious brunch is served in the restaurant cars, You will be escorted by coach the short distance to Peleș Castle, the fairy tale palace that was built by King Charles I of Romania in the 1870's. Reboard the VSOE for the short journey to Bucharest where you will transfer to your hotel. Dinner this evening is served at a private venue.

Overnight : JW Marriott Bucharest Hotel or similar

Day 5 - Venice Simplon-Orient-Express : After breakfast at your hotel, rejoin your train and head south across the mighty Danube and into Bulgaria. After lunch in one of the restaurant cars, the train will make a stop at the delightful seaside resort of Varna on the Black Sea Coast. Rejoin the train and in the evening savour your final dinner and night on board this elegant and iconic train.

Day 6 - Istanbul : As breakfast is served in your cabin, the train passes into Turkey and crosses the beautiful Thracian Plain. Watch the scenery pass by from your cabin or the Bar Car before lunch on board. In the afternoon the VSOE pulls into Istanbul station where you disembark for the final time after experiencing one of the most iconic journeys in the world.

Departure 2021

Timetable : Paris - Budapest - Bucharest - Istanbul 2021

Istanbul - Bucharest - Budapest - Paris

6 days / 5 night

Day 1 - Istanbul : Check in at Istanbul's Sirkeci station in the afternoon to board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Your steward will show you to your private compartment and will attend you throughout your journey. Take in the magnificent views of the Sea of Marmara as the train leaves Istanbul station.

Time to get attired for dinner. Although not a prerequisite, a black-tie certainly adds to the sense of occasion and atmosphere on board. Join fellow travellers for an aperitif in the Bar Car, listening to the sounds of the baby grand piano before taking your seat in one of the elegant Art Deco restaurant cars. A leisurely four-course dinner is served, prepared on board by skilled French chefs. After dinner, wander back to the Bar and when you are ready, retire to your cabin which has now been transformed into a comfortable bedroom.

Day 2 - Bucharest : Breakfast is served in your compartment by your steward at a time to suit you. Watch the beautiful scenery pass by as you travel through Bulgaria and into Romania. After you enjoy lunch in one of the restaurant cars, the train pulls into Bucharest Nord station. Disembark here and transfer to the Athenée Palace Hilton Hotel. Join an afternoon tour of Bucharest this afternoon and later take dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 3 - Venice Simplon-Orient-Express : After breakfast at your hotel, rejoin the train for the short journey to the mountain town of Sinaia. Disembark here and transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch take a tour of Peleș Castle, the summer home of the former King Carol. Return to the train late in the afternoon and continue your journey on towards Hungary. Enjoy your dinner and overnight on board.

Day 4 - Budapest : Continental breakfast is served as the train approaches Budapest. Disembark here and take a tour of this fascinating city divided by the might Danube, with Buda on one side of the river and Pest on the other. The two sides were united in 1873 to become a single city - Budapest. Lunch is provided at a local restaurant before you transfer to the Sofitel Hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner is at your hotel tonight.

Day 5 - VSOE : After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the station to rejoin the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Relax and take in the spectacular scenery as the train journeys through Hungary. As you sit down for lunch, the train will be passing into Austria and on towards Paris. Enjoy dinner and your final night on board.

Day 6 - Paris : Breakfast is served in your cabin as you travel through Italy and shortly afterwards, you arrive at your final destination - the romantic city of Paris. Say farewells to fellow travellers and your staff and disembark after this spectacular journey.

Departure 2021

Timetable : Istanbul - Bucharest - Budapest - Paris 2021

Train Fares 2021 :

Prices shown are per person.

Cabin Suite : A Suite is made up of two interconnecting double cabins. At night, choose between single beds or keep one cabin as a lounge with upper and lower berths in the other cabin.

Please note : the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express route is subject to change without prior warning due to last minute railway engineering works or similar. Itinerary and timings shown are for guidance only. Confirmed timings will be supplied with your travel documents.