Luxury rail holidays on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

A journey on the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice has to be the ultimate train journey across Western Europe. It allows you to enjoy the luxury of rail holidays as it used to be, conjuring up the romance of the Twenties and Thirties, when rail travel flourished and was deemed to be the only civilised way to journey across Europe.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express continues that tradition of elegance and refinement and is a totally delightful and memorable experience. The London to Venice train journey allows you for almost a day and a half to breathe in the style and service of a by-gone age, whilst enjoying the changing landscape as you travel across some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery. Stay in a luxurious hotel in Venice to extend your holiday - click the tabs above for some sample packages to some of our favourite hotels in Venice.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express runs from London to Venice and from Venice to London on selected dates throughout the year.
Accommodation on board the luxury train is in private cabins with a washbasin cabinet. In the daytime your cabin is a seating area, then whilst you are at dinner it is transformed by the stewards to become a luxurious bedroom with one upper and one lower bed. It is also possible to stay in two interconnecting cabins, using one as a private lounge and the other as a bedroom. Meals (included in the price) are served in one of the three restaurant cars with gourmet dishes being freshly prepared by French chefs. Relax after dinner in the bar car where you can enjoy cocktails in glamorous surroundings.
 
Download our leaflet detailing our holidays on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express here 

 Your holiday
Combine a journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with a three night stay at a luxury hotel in Venice. You may choose to travel aboard the luxury train either on the outbound or homeward journey - the route varies slightly depending on which direction you travel. Click the tabs above for full details about the different variations.

Prices from £3,460 per person
This includes a one-way journey from Venice to London on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, 3 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at a hotel in Venice, private water taxi transfers, and flights to Venice.
Click the tabs above for full details.

Special offer for April 2019 - free night Venice and free night London
If you have been tempted by a trip on the Orient Express but never taken one, now is the time as there is an enticing offer for travelling in April with a free night at the Hotel Cipriani in Venice and a free night at the Cadogan Hotel in London.
Included in this special package
Midday flight with British Airways from London Gatwick to Venice
Private transfer by boat from Venice airport to your hotel
Two nights in a Double room with garden view and balcony/terrace at the Hotel Cipriani in Venice (including 1 free night)
Shared transfer from your hotel to the train station
Twin cabin on the VSOE from Venice to London
One free night at the Cadogan Hotel in London
Departure dates for start of the holiday and prices per person
1 April 2019 £4,090
8 April 2019 £3,460
22 April 2019 £3,540
25 April 2019 £3,540
Please note: the offer is subject to space being available at the time of booking.
 
Other information
On certain dates you may travel to Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Berlin.  Details on the tab above. We have extensive personal knowledge of these fascinating European cities and will be pleased to put together a tailor-made holiday involving a train journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and these cities.

Read about our Managing Director's experience on board the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express.  

Download our leaflet detailing our holidays on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express here  

London to Venice on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Beginyour rail holiday by travelling on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, spending one night on board the luxury train before staying for three nights in Venice with plenty of time to explore and soak up the atmosphere. Following your stay in Venice, you have a choice of returning to London by air, travelling overnight from Venice to Paris by sleeper train and then on by Eurostar, or travelling in the daytime from Venice to perhaps Milan, Turin or Switzerland to break the journey before continuing by train the next day.

The train journey - London to Venice
You depart from London Victoria railway station late morning on board the British Pullman train, having lunch on board before reaching the coast. You cross the Eurotunnel to Calais and then board the continental train. Dinner is taken en route to Paris and then by breakfast time you have reached the Alps. You travel through the astonishing Gotthard Pass in Switzerland, a masterpiece of railway engineering which offers stunning views of the mountains as well as picturesque towns on both sides of the Italian border. You enjoy lunch and tea on board before arriving at Santa Lucia station in Venice, reaching the Grand Canal in the late afternoon.
 
Our suggested holiday arrangements include:
• London to Venice on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train
• Private deluxe water taxi transfers in Venice from the station to your hotel and from your hotel back to the station or the airport
• Three nights’ bed and breakfast at your chosen hotel in Venice
• Then either return flight from Venice back to the UK (with British Airways to London or with another airline to a UK regional airport)
• Or train from Venice to Zurich via Milan with one night’s bed and breakfast in Zurich (for example at the Hotel Ambassador a l’Opera or other hotels on request) and then train from Zurich to Paris, and Paris to London by Eurostar

Prices
From £3,720 per person staying at the Hotel Flora, a gem of a 3- star hotel, in a very convenient location for both St Mark's and the Accademia.
From £3,750 per person staying at the Hotel Bisanzio, a charming, traditional, boutique-style 4-star hotel a few minutes’ walk from the Riva degli Schiavoni and St Mark’s Square.
From £3,780 per person staying at the Palazzo Giovanelli, a 4 star hotel with just 41 rooms enjoying a very convenient location on the banks of the Grand Canal ideally placed for Rialto and the Accademia.
From £3,950 per person staying at Ca'Sagredo, a luxurious five-star hotel in a central location which is perfect for those seeking an elegant ambience in an historic setting.
From £4,110 per person staying at Hotel Luna Baglioni, a popular five-star hotel in an outstandingly convenient yet charming location near St Mark's Square.
From £4,170 per person staying at the Kempinski San Clemente Palace, a unique 5-star hotel, on its own island with gardens and outdoor swimming pool.
From £5,370 per person staying at Belmond Hotel Cipriani, a legendary hotel in an exquisite location amid gardens on Giudecca Island, just across the lagoon from Venice.

Prices are based on travelling back by train with a night in Zurich. If you choose to fly back from Venice deduct £300 per person.
If you choose to do the holiday the other way round and travel out via Zurich and travel back from Venice to London on the Venice Simplon Orient Express, deduct £250 per person.
First class rail is available, at a supplement of about £220 per person, depending on the times of the trains you choose to take.

Departure dates - London to Venice
The 2019 London to Venice departure dates for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are:
March 21
April 4, 11, 14, 25, 28
May 5, 9, 12, 19, 23
June 2, 9, 13, 20, 23, 27
July 4, 11, 18, 25.
August 1, 8, 15
September 5, 12, 15, 19, 22, 29
October 3, 6, 13, 17, 27, 31
November 3
 
Click the tabs above to find out about holidays travelling from Venice to London on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Download our leaflet detailing our holidays on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express here
 
Our page featuring Venice can be found here.

Venice to London on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Begin your rail holiday on the Eurostar from London to Paris, where you transfer to a train bound for Zurich. Stay for one night in Zurich before continuing by train to Venice where you spend three nights. Following your stay in Venice, board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for the homeward journey, arriving into London the following day.

The train journey - Venice to London
You depart from Venice mid- morning, heading towards Verona, the Dolomites and then the Alps. On this journey you travel through the Brenner Pass and then the Arlberg Pass. You enjoy lunch and tea on board and then by dinner time you are heading west into the sunset. Stay overnight on board and then from Paris the train heads back to Calais and the Eurotunnel crossing. You reach London Victoria station in the late afternoon.

 Our suggested holiday arrangements include:
• Venice to London on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train
• Private deluxe water taxi transfers in Venice from the station to your hotel and from your hotel back to the station or the airport
• Three nights’ bed and breakfast at your chosen hotel in Venice
• Then either flight from London to Venice(with British Airways to London or with another airline to a UK regional airport)
• Or train from London to Venice via Zurich and Milan with one night’s bed and breakfast in Zurich (for example at the Hotel Ambassador a l’Opera or other hotels on request)
Prices
From £3,470 per person staying at the Hotel Flora, a gem of a 3-star hotel, in a very convenient location for both St Mark’s and the Accademia. 
From £3,500 per person staying at the Hotel Bisanzio, a charming, traditional, boutique-style 4-star hotel a few minutes’ walk from the Riva degli Schiavoni and St Mark’s Square.
From £3,530 per person staying at the Palazzo Giovanelli, a 4 star hotel with just 41 rooms enjoying a very convenient location on the banks of the Grand Canal ideally placed for Rialto and the Accademia.
From £3,700 per person staying at Ca'Sagredo, a luxurious five-star hotel in a central location which is perfect for those seeking an elegant ambience in an historic setting.
From £3,860 per person staying at Hotel Luna Baglioni, a popular five-star hotel in an outstandingly convenient yet charming location near St Mark's Square.
From £3,920 per person staying at the Kempinski San Clemente Palace, a unique 5-star hotel, on its own island with gardens and outdoor swimming pool.
From £5,120 per person staying at Belmond Hotel Cipriani, a legendary hotel in an exquisite location amid gardens on Giudecca Island, just across the lagoon from Venice.

Prices are based on travelling by train with a night in Zurich. If you choose to fly out to Venice deduct £300 per person.
If you choose to do the holiday the other way round and travel back from Venice to London, add £250 per person.
First class rail is available, at a supplement of about £220 per person, depending on the times of the trains you choose to take.

Departure dates - Venice to London
The 2019 Venice to London departure dates are:

March 20, 27
April 3, 10, 13, 24, 27
May 8, 11, 22, 26
June 1, 5, 12, 19, 22, 26
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
August 7, 14, 20
September 11, 14, 18, 21
October 2, 5, 16, 30

Download our leaflet detailing our holidays on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express here  

Our page featuring Venice can be found here.  

Hotels featured in our Venice Simplon-Orient-Express rail holiday
Here is a summary of each of the hotels we suggest staying at on this rail holiday including the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express.
Hotel Flora – 3 star
The family-owned, 3 star Hotel Flora, with just 44 rooms, is an oasis of Venetian charm and character, situated along a short narrow alleyway just off a stylish street in a less bustling part of the city between St Mark’s and the Accademia, yet only a short distance from the Grand Canal. The pretty reception area opens onto a shady courtyard, bordered by the creeper-clad, shuttered hotel building. Here you can enjoy a refreshing drink after a day’s sightseeing and breakfast in fine weather. The rooms vary in size and style, some of the larger ones being ornately furnished in a Venetian style and others being smaller and more typical of a traditional cosy hotel. Early booking is highly recommended.  
View more details on the Hotel Flora.
 
Hotel Bisanzio - 4 star
The Hotel Bisanzio is the perfect place from which to explore Venice, with comfortable rooms and excellent service. Situated just 300 metres from St Mark's Square, this 16th century palazzo is just the very beginning of your historic exploration of this magnificent city. The quirky Venetian style pervades throughout, with parquet floors, Murano glass lamps, walnut wainscoting, and antique furnishings that really set off this distinctive look.
View more details on the Hotel Bisanzio  

 
Palazzo Giovanelli – 4 star
A four-star superior hotel overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice, the Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli combines contemporary stylishness with the history of its setting: just a few minutes away from St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. A waterside gate also provides gondola access. Stone archways and marble floors are in keeping with the history of the building, and yet there is captivating modern and ancient sculpture and painting. Each of the guestrooms either has a view of the Grand Canal, the hotel’s pretty courtyard, the Ca’Pesaro, or the Church of San Stae.
View more details on the Palazzo Giovanelli

Ca’Sagredo – 5 star
This is a luxurious palazzo hotel which overlooks the Grand Canal, opposite the historical Rialto market. The 15th century palace has been declared as a National Monument, and is perfect for those seeking an elegant ambience in a historic setting. The hotel has 42 rooms and suites, each decorated in classic Venetian styling with antique furniture, gilt mirrors and Murano glass. Enjoy traditional Venetian cuisine on the splendid panoramic terrace of l’Alcova restaurant from where you can watch the gondolas and boats glide along the water.
View more details on Ca’Sagredo

Hotel Luna Baglioni– 5 star
A popular and very comfortable hotel in an outstandingly convenient location near the western edge of St Mark’s Square. While a hotel has occupied the site since the Middle Ages, the present building has recently been refurbished both inside and out. Bedrooms are home to plush carpets, high-quality furnishings, and elegant decoration, all offering a high level of general comfort. The hotel has its own landing stage for private water taxis.
View more details on Baglioni Hotel Luna

Kempinski San Clemente Palace – 5 star
The Kempinski San Clemente Palace is situated on its own island, in the Venetian lagoon, and it occupies a former monastery with 12th century church and historic courtyards. A complimentary shuttle boat takes you from the hotel to the Piazza San Marco. The hotel exterior is grand and majestic and from each room, a different view across the ancient spires, opulent palaces, and narrow canal ways of Venice is possible. The room types are numerous and the suites are, almost without exception, completely unique, with different furnishings, design styles, and space arrangements in each. There is a choice of dining, three bars, verdant grounds with tennis court and outdoor heated pool, and Merchant of Venice Spa.
View more details on the Kempinski San Clemente Palace
 
Belmond Hotel Cipriani – 5 star deluxe
The Belmond Hotel Cipriani is a legendary hotel in an exquisite location, set amid its own beautiful gardens on the island of Giudecca. Guests can take advantage of the private motorboat service which is on call 24 hours a day to ferry them across the lagoon to St Mark’s Square, a journey which takes just five minutes. Elegantly decorated bedrooms overlook San Giorgio Island, the Casanova Garden or the lagoon, while each of the three restaurants enjoy a lovely location. The hotel is an excellent option for those who don’t want to stay in the centre of Venice.
View more details on Belmond Hotel Cipriani

Visit other European cities by Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Here is a list of other European journeys made by the train. We can make bookings for you on any of these journeys, and also arrange hotel stays in the city with flights one way as required.

Venice to Vienna and Budapest – 1 May, 25 September, 23 October 2019
Budapest and Vienna to Paris and London – 4 May, 28 September, 26 October 2019
Venice to Vienna and Prague –9 October 2019
Prague to Paris and London – 12 October 2019
Paris to Istanbul – 23 August 2019
Istanbul to Paris – 30 August 2019
London and Paris to Berlin – 6 June 2019
Berlin to Paris and London – 8 June 2019

We know each of these cities personally. Just ask us for help in choosing the right hotel and other arrangements for you.