Luxury rail holiday on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express returning by air or rail
This 4-night luxury rail holiday with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and 3 nights in Venice is a dream combination of classic, luxury train and time spent in the magical city of Venice. A journey on the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Venice or back from Venice is considered 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 train journey allows you 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. 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.
For 2024 your journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will start in Paris with an evening departure in time for dinner. There is plenty of time to reach Paris by Eurostar or by air.
There are three types of cabin accommodation on board: Historic cabin, Suite and Grand Suite.
Highlights
Travel on the Orient Express • Three nights in Venice • Optional extra nights • Optional return journey by train with night in Zurich
On-board the Venice Simplon-Orient Express
Chef Imbert blends this iconic train's gastronomic heritage with his own passion for fresh seasonal produce, prepared classically and with precision. The restaurant cars offer a magical dining ambience. The Etoile du Nord (24 seats) is resplendent with floral marquetry, the Cote d'Azur (20 seats) features Lalique glass panels and L'Oriental (24 seats) has exotic black lacquer decoration. 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.
Visit other 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. Paris to Istanbul (5 nights, with 3 nights on the train) Istanbul to Paris (5 nights with 3 nights on train) Paris to Istanbul to Paris (12 nights, with 6 nights on the train) London or Paris to Budapest London or Paris to Vienna Budapest to London or Paris Vienna to Paris or London Rome or Florence to Paris Paris to Florence or Rome Amsterdam to Venice or vice versa Brussels to Venice or vice versa Paris to Cannes Paris to Venice via Cannes Geneva to Innsbruck (1 night) Geneva to Venice (1 night) Geneva to Verona (1 night) Paris to Verona and vice versa (1 night) Amsterdam to Innsbruck (1 night) Amsterdam to Verona and vice versa (1 night) Brussels to Innsbruck (1 night) Brussels to Verona and vice versa (1 night) Paris to Innsbruck and vice versa (1 night) We know each of these cities personally. Just ask us for help in choosing the right hotel and other arrangements for you.
Cabins
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express cars are the 1920s original models. There are three types of cabin: Historic cabin, Suite and Grand Suite.
Historic cabin
There are 40 Historic cabins, and each has a washbasin with hot and cold water, towels, bathrobes and slippers. WCs are located at either end of each sleeping carriage. In the daytime your cabin is a seating area, then whilst you are at dinner it is transformed by the stewards to become a 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.
Suite
There are eight suites of four different designs influenced by the landscapes the train travels through: countryside, mountains, lakes and forest. The Suites have private ensuite facilities. They have fixed double or twin beds, private marble ensuite bathroom with shower, basin and WC, 24-hour steward service, lounging area by day (the bed converts to a banquette sitting area), complimentary kimono, amenities and slippers.
Grand suite
There are six grand suites named Paris, Istanbul, Vienna, Venice, Budapest and Prague. Each grand suite comes complete with either a double or twin beds and includes a living area. The sofa in the living area can be converted into a smaller bed for a child. There is a private ensuite bathroom with shower, washbasin and WC, 24-hour steward service, exclusive car or boat transfers between station and city centre accommodation at the start and end of the train journey, free-flowing champagne throughout the journey in your suite, caviar on arrival, guaranteed table for two at guests' chosen sitting time for lunch and dinner in preferred dining car or option of en suite dining, champagne breakfast celebration in your suite, complimentary bathrobes and slippers as memento of your journey, exclusive turndown gift, private transfers in London on departure or arrival.
I would like to thank you for all your help and planning for our trip - everything worked like clockwork. The Orient Expresswas unbelievable.Mr and Mrs T, October 2017
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a 2-berth Historic cabin on the train for 1 night and a double or twin room at the Hotel Bisanzio in Venice for 3 nights.
From about
£4,960 London to Paris and Venice, return by air
Holiday Code FHIT20
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury rail holiday on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express returning by air or rail
Expressions Holidays can arrange for you to travel to Paris by Eurostar or by air on the day of departure of the train, or you can spend the night before in Paris.The train departs from Paris in the evening and you have dinner on board before retiring to your cabin for the night as the train journeys across France and through the Alps.
By breakfast time you are in Switzerland and depending on the route, may watch Lake Zurich pass as the train continues on its journey towards the Arlberg and Innsbruck. This is a spectacular journey and lunch is enjoyed before you cross the Brenner into Italy before descending towards Verona. There is time for tea on board before you reach Venice Santa Lucia station in the late afternoon. Upon arrival in Venice you are transferred to your hotel in the city, by private deluxe transfer.
You have two full days in Venice to enjoy this magical city. More than a city, Venice “La Serenissima” is an enchantress. Take the time to discover her winding streets, canals, quiet squares and lively waterfronts. To make the most of your time in Venice, it’s worth dividing the city into areas or themes. The obvious place to start is at St Mark’s Square, best appreciated whilst sipping a Venetian coffee at Florian’s. St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Campanile can all be visited. The magnificent churches of Venice are worth seeking out: Santa Maria della Salute, Ss Giovanni e Paolo, and Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (with works by Titian), Santa Maria dei Miracoli and the Gesuiti. The Jewish quarter can be found just off the Strada Nova to the north of the city and gives you a rare insight into the history of the Jewish community in Venice. There is a clutch of art galleries to be enjoyed including the Ca’ Pesaro, the Ca’ d’Oro, the Galleria dell’Accademia, the Scuola di San Rocco and for modern art, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The streets of Venice also contain a treasure trove of tiny artisan shops selling glassware, masks, lace and silk, and shoes. To absorb the magic of Venice from the water, treat yourself to a ride in a gondola. Across the lagoon, and reached by vaporetto, are the islands of Burano, home to lace-making and fishermen, and Murano, where master craftsmen offer demonstrations of glass-making before you enter their shops.
You may choose to return on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris to end your holiday there or we can arrange for you to return to London by Eurostar or by air. There are also a number of other options for your journey home from Venice. We can include a one-way flight with British Airways from Venice Marco Polo to London or to a regional airport of your choice, or we can arrange for you to travel back to London by train, breaking the journey with an overnight stop in Zurich before the last leg with the fast Lyria service to Paris and on to London St Pancras by Eurostar. This option adds another night and day to the holiday.
I would like to thank you for all your help and planning for our trip - everything worked like clockwork. The Orient Expresswas unbelievable.Mr and Mrs T, October 2017
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a 2-berth Historic cabin on the train for 1 night and a double or twin room at the Hotel Bisanzio in Venice for 3 nights.
From about
£4,960 London to Paris and Venice, return by air
Holiday Code FHIT20
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Our prices include
● Paris to Venice on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train
● London to Paris by Eurostar (standard premier one way)
● 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
● Either flight from Venice to London with British Airways
● Or train from Venice to Zurich via Milan with one night’s bed and breakfast in Zurich (for example at the Hotel St Gotthard or the Romantik Hotel Europe or other hotels on request) and then train from Zurich to Paris, and Paris to London by Eurostar
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Call us on 01392 441245
Timetable for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
2026 Paris to Venice departures
March 16 | April 2, 9, 13, 25 | May 19 | June 7, 15, 25, 29 | July 9, 16 | August 17, 22, 29 | September 4, 14 | October 15, 20 | November 12, 23, 28, December 20
2026 Venice to Paris depatures
March 7, 19, 24, 31 | April 11, 23, 28 | May 8, 13, 18, 23 | June 13, 18, 23, 27 | July 4, 14, 28 | August 15, 20, 27 | September 2, 8, 19, 23 | October 12, 29 | November 3, 17, 26 | December 12
2025 Paris to Venice departures
10, 18, 31 July | 7, 13, 27 August | 1, 14, 19 September | 16, 21 October | 17, 22, 27 November | 19 December
2025 Venice to Paris departures
24, 30 June | 5, 16, 29 July | 5, 11, 19, 25 August | 4, 9, 17, 23 September | 14, 23, 28 October | 3, 15, 20 November | 2, 13 December
2025 VSOE other journeys
Other routes are from Paris to Portofino, Paris to Budapest, Paris to Istanbul, Amsterdam to Venice, Brussels to Venice, Venice to Amsterdam, Venice to Brussels, Geneva to Innsbruck, Geneva to Venice, Rome to Paris, Paris to Rome, Budapest to Paris, Paris to Florence, Istanbul to Paris, Florence to Paris, Paris to Prague, Paris to Verona, Verona to Paris, Lyon to Venice, Paris to Vienna, Amsterdam to Verona, Brussels to Verona, Verona to Amsterdam, Verona to Brussels, Geneva to Verona, Paris to Innsbruck,Paris to Verona, Vienna to Paris, Verona to Paris, Paris to Verona, Paris to Vienna, Paris to Budapest, Paris to Prague, Paris to Cannes
I would like to thank you for all your help and planning for our trip - everything worked like clockwork. The Orient Expresswas unbelievable.Mr and Mrs T, October 2017
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a 2-berth Historic cabin on the train for 1 night and a double or twin room at the Hotel Bisanzio in Venice for 3 nights.
From about
£4,960 London to Paris and Venice, return by air
Holiday Code FHIT20
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Our prices include
• Paris to Venice on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train
• London to Paris by Eurostar (standard premier one way)
• 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
• Either flight from Venice to London with British Airways
• Or train from Venice to Zurich via Milan with one night’s bed and breakfast in Zurich (for example at the Hotel St Gotthard or the Romantik Hotel Europe or other hotels on request) and then train from Zurich to Paris, and Paris to London by Eurostar
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
The journey and how you get there The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express starts in Paris just before dinner which is a four-course menu. Overnight on board as the train travels through the French countryside. A continental breakfast is served in your cabin. Lunch generally takes place south of Innsbruck as you cross the Brenner (three courses) and later pastries are served in your cabin before you cross the Venetian lagoon and the train pulls into Venice Santa Lucia station.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury rail holiday on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express returning by air or rail
Hotel Bisanzio is an elegant 4-star hotel, which exudes historical charm, in an excellent position for exploring the main sights of Venice.
Classic double room
Ca'Sagredo is a grand 5-star palazzo hotel overlooking Venice's Grand Canal. The delicious cuisine, art gallery and museum afford guests a unique city stay that reflects the culture of the surrounding city.
Classic double room
Baglioni Hotel Luna is an award-winning, 5-star boutique hotel in an outstandingly convenient yet charming location. The award-winning restaurant and opulent Venetian style afford guests a luxurious retreat after a day soaking up the cultural and historical delights of Venice.
Superior double room
The Belmond Hotel Cipriani is a 5-star deluxe, legendary hotel in an exquisite location in Venice. The excellent spa facilities, tranquil gardens and waterfront dining offer guests an indulgent retreat after a day spent enjoying Venice's sights.
Garden view room with balcony or terrace
I would like to thank you for all your help and planning for our trip - everything worked like clockwork. The Orient Expresswas unbelievable.Mr and Mrs T, October 2017
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a 2-berth Historic cabin on the train for 1 night and a double or twin room at the Hotel Bisanzio in Venice for 3 nights.
From about
£4,960 London to Paris and Venice, return by air
Holiday Code FHIT20
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Our prices include
• Paris to Venice on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train
• London to Paris by Eurostar (standard premier one way)
• 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
• Either flight from Venice to London with British Airways
• Or train from Venice to Zurich via Milan with one night’s bed and breakfast in Zurich (for example at the Hotel St Gotthard or the Romantik Hotel Europe or other hotels on request) and then train from Zurich to Paris, and Paris to London by Eurostar
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
The journey and how you get there The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express starts in Paris just before dinner which is a four-course menu. Overnight on board as the train travels through the French countryside. A continental breakfast is served in your cabin. Lunch generally takes place south of Innsbruck as you cross the Brenner (three courses) and later pastries are served in your cabin before you cross the Venetian lagoon and the train pulls into Venice Santa Lucia station.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury rail holiday on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express returning by air or rail
About Venice
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Venice is the chance to visit an enchanting and historical city. Venice, or ‘La Serenissima’ as it has been known for centuries, is truly unique and must be visited at least once in a lifetime. It is essentially a floating museum and was the main centre of trade for the north of Italy from the 13th century right through until the 17th century. The Venetian Republic was one of the richest in Europe and was presided over by the Doge who was elected by the Council of Ten, or the most powerful members of the governing families. The art and architecture that can be seen throughout the city is really a tribute to centuries of patronage and wealth. The Venetian lagoon also has numerous other islands, inhabited and uninhabited which used to grow crops and produce to feed Venice itself and which also used to house some of the city's industries such as glass making and lace making.
Cultural highlights of Venice
St Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs, The Grand Canal, Accademia, Museo Correr, Rialto Bridge, La Fenice theatre, The Church of the Redentore, The Church of Santa Maria della Salute.
Festivals in Venice
Venice’s most famous festival is the Carnevale in February, the actual dates of Carnevale vary from year to year, but it generally spans three to four weeks ending on Shrove Tuesday. Costumed and masked people parade around the streets of Venice and there are numerous private parties and dances, but the atmosphere on the final night of Carnevale itself is electric. Alternatively, there is the Regata Storica on the first Sunday in September, when boats and gondolas race against each other along the Grand Canal, or the Feast of the Redentore in mid-July to celebrate the end of the plague in the 16th century. A makeshift bridge is constructed to link the Giudecca island with the Dorsodouro island and there is a huge firework display.
Gastronomy in Venice
Venetian food is naturally fish and sea food orientated and popular dishes include the sweet and sour ‘sardee in saor’ or sardine salad, cuttlefish risotto with its black ink and ‘caparossoi a scota deo’, which are large clams cooked with lemon and pepper. Liver is also popular as are several sweet fried delicacies or ‘fritole’, popular particularly around festival time. This area is famous for its Prosecco and is the home of the ‘Bellini’ cocktail.
Travel around Venice
Gondola rides are always popular, but are expensive. The vaporetto and motoscafo services are good and will take you from A to B and are essential to reach the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello in the lagoon unless you hire a private water taxi. The services can be disrupted at high tide or ‘Aqua Alta’, which usually occurs in the autumn, or if the lagoon is particularly choppy. To cross the Grand Canal the precarious ‘traghetti’ are like large Gondolas, but you are expected to stand up in order for the maximum number of passengers to board, so it is an art, as well as an experience to remember!
