Venice Simplon-Orient-Express alpine scenery.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) wait staff dining car
Dining staff on Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE)
Venice Venetian Lion
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) bedroom
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Overview

The Highlights

  • Spending the evening in the lovely Venice Simplon-Orient-Express bar car, sipping your favorite drink while listening to live piano music
  • Gourmet three-course lunch and four-course dinner prepared by French chefs, served in the train’s beautiful dining cars
  • Beautiful scenery of the Italian Dolomites and the Alps
  • Breakfast served in the privacy of your compartment
  • Pampering by your personal steward
  • Wine and champagne included with meals (top-shelf liquors and drinks in the bar car at additional cost)
  • Complimentary shared transfer from your Venice hotel to the train station.
  • Grand Suite passengers enjoy free-flowing champagne in their cabins and included private arrival and departure transfers to/from the train station, among several other special benefits
  • Afternoon tea on the Belmond British Pullman (select London arrivals only)

The Tour

Take a step back in time on this overnight trip aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The Venice-Verona-Paris-London route is the “Classic” journey on the VSOE, and its most frequently-run itinerary. See Dates & Prices section for more information about different routings offered, including Florence to Paris and Rome to Paris.

Beginning in 2024, this journey will end in Paris (guests will no longer have the option to disembark in London).

Depart Venice or Verona mid-day for your luxurious overnight journey to Paris (or on to London), where you arrive late afternoon the next day. Luxuriate in the train’s ambience, gourmet meals, and superior service while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps.

Though it’s possible to disembark in Paris, we recommend staying on through to London so you get to enjoy another of our World’s Top 25 Trains, the Belmond British Pullman. (Note: only select London arrivals will use the British Pullman. Alternate dates will be provided with a complimentary Paris train station transfer and Eurostar tickets from Paris to London.)

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This is the centerpiece of our wonderful Romantic Italian Holiday itinerary. If you’re celebrating an anniversary or any special occasion, IRT can customize your luxury rail journey with iconic hotels, special sightseeing, and private transfers. Call or email us for details. And if you’re thinking of the grandest celebration of all, check out the Grand Suites – info on our blog.

This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction: Southbound tour, beginning in London or Paris.

Map of the Venice, Paris, and London journey

Countries Visited

  • Italy
  • Switzerland
  • France
  • United Kingdom

Itinerary

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Day 1: Depart Venice or Verona

If you’re boarding in Venice, enjoy a complimentary shared transfer from your hotel to the train station. (Grand Suite guests will enjoy a private transfer.)

Board the splendid Wagons-Lits carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Venice Santa Lucia station late morning or Verona Station early afternoon.

Your steward will show you to your private compartment and will attend you throughout your journey. After you have settled in, enjoy a three-course lunch in one of the beautifully restored restaurant cars. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the comfort of your compartment gazing at the beautiful passing scenery of the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps, or chatting with fellow travelers in the Bar Car. Afternoon tea is served in your compartment.

The maitre d’ will take your reservations for dinner. Sip an aperitif in the Bar Car, listening to the sounds of the baby grand piano before taking your seat in another of the magnificent restaurant cars. A leisurely four-course dinner is served, prepared on board by French chefs who are not only skilled but friendly, too. After dinner you may want to linger in the Bar and when you are ready, retire to your compartment which has now been transformed into a cozy bedroom.

Day 2: Arrive Paris or London

Breakfast is served in your compartment by your steward at a time to suit you. (This is something we love.) The train pulls into Paris Gare de l’Est. You may end your journey here.

Or, for those continuing to London on select departures that utilize the Belmond British Pullman, take this opportunity to stretch your legs along the platform and watch the bustling activity: passengers boarding, chefs choosing produce for brunch, Parisians coming and going. The whistle will blow, and it’s time to hop back on board. A delicious brunch is served in the restaurant cars as you travel on towards the French coast for the Channel crossing.

Join the cream and umber carriages of the Belmond British Pullman for the journey to London. A traditional English afternoon tea accompanied by a glass of champagne is served to you at your table and you watch the gentle scenery of Kent pass by. Suddenly, you are drawing into London Victoria Station (arrival around 6 p.m.). It may be the end of your journey but the memories will last a lifetime.

(Note: for those departures that do not include the British Pullman but are set to disembark in London, you will be provided with a complimentary Paris train station transfer and Eurostar tickets from Paris to London.)

 

Dates & Prices

2023 Dates

September 23 - 24

September 27 - 28

October 7 - 8

October 11 - 12

October 17 - 18

October 25 - 26 *

October 29 - 30 *

November 1 - 2 *

November 8 - 9

November 21 - 22 *

November 28 - 29 *

December 5 - 6 *

December 13 - 14 *

December 16 - 17 *

December 22 - 23 *

* Starred journeys end in Paris and do not continue on to London.

The March 22-23 and March 29-30 departures do not have the option to disembark in Paris.

Note the following special routings:

  • Apr 19-20: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Apr 27-28: Venice or Rome to Paris
  • May 24-25: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • June 19-20: Venice to Paris (see our Amsterdam journey page for more info)
  • Sept 13-14: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Sept 20-21: Venice or Rome to Paris
  • Oct 25-26: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Nov 1-2: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Dec 16-17: Bourg St Maurice or Moutiers or Albertville to Paris
  • Dec 22-23: Bourg St Maurice or Moutiers or Albertville to Paris
  • Please note prices are in British Pounds. View approximate exchange rates
  • All prices are per person.
  • Pricing varies based on availability and date. Prices are subject to change daily. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure.

2024 Dates

March 5 - 6

March 12 - 13

March 19 - 20

March 26 - 27

April 2 - 3 *

April 9 - 10

April 15 - 16 *

April 23 - 24 *

April 27 - 28

May 3 - 4 *

May 10 - 11

May 29 - 30 *

June 29 - 30 *

July 16 - 17 *

July 22 - 23 *

July 28 - 29 *

August 1 - 2

August 6 - 7

August 12 - 13

August 20 - 21 *

September 10 - 11 *

September 14 - 15

September 20 - 21 *

September 24 - 25

October 1 - 2

October 10 - 11 *

October 15 - 16

October 20 - 21

October 30 - 31 *

November 5 - 6

November 17 - 18

November 21 - 22

November 26 - 27 *

December 3 - 4

December 10 - 11

Beginning in 2024, journeys will end in Paris only (ending in London will no longer be offered).

* Starred journeys indicate a special routing:

  • Apr 2-3: Venice or Rome to Paris
  • Apr 15-16: Venice to Paris (see our Amsterdam journey page for more info)
  • Apr 23-24: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • May 3-4: Venice or Rome to Paris
  • May 29-30: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • June 29-30: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • July 16-17: Venice or Rome to Paris
  • July 22-23: Venice to Paris (see our Amsterdam journey page for more info)
  • July 28-29: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Aug 20-21: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Sept 10-11: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Sept 20-21: Venice or Rome to Paris
  • Oct 10-11: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Oct 30-31: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Nov 26-27: Venice or Florence to Paris
  • Please note prices are in British Pounds. View approximate exchange rates
  • All prices are per person.
  • Pricing varies based on availability and date. Prices are subject to change daily. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure.

More

Southbound tour also available.

Please note: This journey can be extended with our fabulous hotel partners throughout Europe. Contact us for more information about this concierge service. And for departures that are not able to end in London via the British Pullman, contact us for information on how to extend your train time.

News: The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express now offers fully en-suite cabins. Six Grand Suites or eight Suites are now available on every departure. Read more about the train’s accommodations.

Special Report: Read the first-hand report by Society owners Owen & Eleanor Hardy, who celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Venice-Paris-London journey.