Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Paris to Venice (Tour code: 12561)
Venice
Highlights
One night onboard Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a Historic Cabin
Take a seat in a dining carriage and time to dine
Stride through to Bar Car ‘3674’ for an evening of cocktails and conviviality
Relax to your private cabin, each lovingly restored to full 1920s grandeur
Overview
Your voyage begins on the platform of this famed European city, where historic carriages await your arrival. Meet the conductor, check your bags with our porters, and feel the excitement build. Then step aboard a world of timeless glamour.
Depart from Paris just before dinner for your overnight journey to Venice. Travel in style across the European landscape before arriving in the City of Water late afternoon the next day.
Life on board is elegant and indulgent. Dress to impress and head to one of the three restaurant cars for a sophisticated dinner. Mingle with like-minded travellers as a live pianist sets the scene in the Bar Car. Then, retreat to your inviting private cabin, looking forward to tomorrow’s adventures.
Inclusions
Itinerary
Day 1 Depart Paris
Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train in Paris. Settle into your private cabin, soon it will be time for dinner.
Make your way to one of the magnificent dining cars, where the imagination of celebrated chef Jean Imbert informs both the décor and every dish. Seasonal specialities, sourced from artisan producers along the route, are accompanied by exceptional wines. Later, you may wish to soak up the animated ambience in Bar Car ‘3674’, where the resident pianist plays the baby grand and our talented bartenders conjure up classic cocktails.
Day 2 Arrive Venice
Linger in your cabin as your steward serves a French breakfast, the perfect way to begin the day, especially combined with the scenery through your window: the soaring mountains and glacial lakes of Switzerland’s Gotthard route. Return to the Bar Car to chat to your fellow travellers or browse the onboard boutique for bespoke gifts and mementos.
A leisurely three-course lunch brings further gourmet indulgence, after which you can return to your cabin to read, reflect or simply gaze at the views. Before arriving in Venice, your steward serves a delicious French goûter. Be transfixed by the vistas as the train crosses the Venetian Lagoon and pulls into Santa Lucia Station, then disembark for your adventure in La Serenissima.
Accommodation
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Upgrade availableHistoric Cabins are a luxurious place to rest after a day’s adventure on the rails.
Whether it’s unwinding as Europe passes your window, or retreating after an evening in the bar car, even the most convivial traveller will require a quiet space to retire. And where better than your own private cabin.
Lay amid plush furnishings, fresh linens, and handcrafted furniture in our magnificently restored 1920s cabins. Order morning coffee to your bed, or a cocktail while you dress for dinner. Our stewards are only ever a short call away.
Take in Europe from the romantic setting it deserves with your own private historic twin cabin. Banquette seating offers the perfect vantage point to watch the landscape by day, while convertible sleeping berths — with soft, luxurious bedding — transform the cabin into an intimate retreat by night. Morning breakfast can even be served to your bed, should you desire.
- Day time sofa setting
- Small table and lamp next to the window
- Wash basin and mirror concealed inside a vanity unit (no ensuite shower)
- Plug sockets (European adaptor required) and razor point
- Complimentary leather amenity kit
- Complimentary bottled water
- Brass luggage rack to pop your overnight bag on
- Velvet hangers to hang your black tie and dress on
- Upper and lower berth bunk beds (night-time configuration)
- Wooden ladder for the upper berth occupant
- Robes and slippers
Room Upgrades
Suites
Each of our suites is inspired by a fusion of the landscape our train travels through and design from the Art Deco period.
Each will immerse guests in diverse European scenery through glorious colours, patterns and textures. Plush fabrics and furnishings channel famed Art Deco designers, such as Dufrene and Lalique.
These reimagined suites were fully restored by expert craftsmen in France and complement the existing Grand Suites and Historic Twins that make up our sumptuous on board experience.
- Double bed or twin beds
- Private marble en-suite bathroom with shower, basin and WC
- 24-hour steward service
- Lounge area by day, as your bed converts to seating area
- Complimentary amenities including a kimono and slippers to take home
Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.
Grand Suites
Encounter the decadent world of Grand Suites — where handcrafted interiors and free-flowing champagne are simply a way of life — and be swept away in an indulgence known only to the royalty of travel’s golden age.
Inside, the Grand Suites’ living quarters allow you to dine in private, should you wish. Meanwhile, marbled en-suite bathrooms mean you can refresh in style. For any craving that strikes, a 24-hour butler service is on hand to make your dreams a reality.
- Double queen-sized bed or Twin beds
- Private en-suite bathroom with shower, washbasin and WC
- Plush lounging area with sofa
- 24-hour steward service
- Guaranteed table for two at guest's chosen sitting time for lunch and dinner in preferred dininig car; option of private in-suite dining
- Champagne celebration breakfast in your suite and free-flowing champagne throughout
- Caviar on arrival
- Complimentary bathrobes and slippers
- Exclusive turndown gift
- Exclusive car or boat transfers between station and city centre accommodation (or v.v) at the start and end of your train journey
Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.
Additional information
- You can never be overdressed on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
For dinner, we ask for formal evening attire and many guests like to don black tie and wear their most glamorous finery for the occasion. Smart daywear is appropriate during the day. At lunch, for example, a jacket/tie or equivalent is suitable. Jeans are not acceptable at any time. - If a detailed request is made at the time of booking, special dietary needs such as vegetarian or vegan can be accommodated. If a special request has not been made, the chefs will endeavour to prepare a dish with the ingredients available on board. We do, however, regret that we are unable to provide meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation.
Excluded
- International airfares and taxes
- Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
- Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
- Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
- Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
- Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
- Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package
FAQs
What do I wear on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train?
There is no such thing as being too dressed up on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train! For dinner, we request formal evening wear, and many guests choose to wear black tie attire and their most elegant garments for the occasion. During the day, smart daywear is appropriate. For instance, a jacket with a tie or equivalent would be suitable for lunch. Please note that jeans are not permitted at any time.
Please note: Jeans are not permitted at any time. Our team can assist you with organising tuxedo hire (additional costs apply) – speak to our team at time of booking.
Are children permitted on board?
Children are welcome to join us on board, and infants under the age of two at the time of departure travel free. Parents must provide their own food and a bassinet for sleeping. Given the space constraints of a Twin Cabin, we highly recommend booking an interconnecting cabin (which should be reserved for no more than two adults) or a Grand Suite to ensure the comfort of our guests when traveling with a baby. Please let us know at the time of booking that you will be traveling with a baby so we can offer you the best advice and assistance. The ambiance aboard the train is geared towards our adult passengers. For this reason, it is at the Train Manager’s discretion that children may accompany their parents in the bar and restaurant cars.
Are pets permitted on board?
Unfortunately, the train is not suitable for accommodating pets. The carriages have limited space and infrequent stops, which do not provide sufficient opportunities for pets to exercise and attend to their needs. In consideration of their well-being, pets are not allowed on board.
Will I need travel insurance?
As with all holidays and trips abroad, we strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. Please consult our consultants at time of booking and we can assist you with this.
Can the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express accommodate special dietary preferences?
We will do our best to cater for special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan etc, provided a detailed request has been made at the time of booking. If a special request has not been made, the chefs will endeavour to prepare a dish with the ingredients available on board. We do, however, regret that we are unable to provide meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation.
Can someone with mobility limitations travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express?
There are some key factors to be aware of before making a booking if you or your guests have mobility issues. One of the key considerations is that wheelchairs cannot be used on board the train. The dimensions and layout do not allow wheelchair passage through the corridors.
Essentially, our guests would need to be able to make their way from their cabin to the bathroom at the end of the carriage and would also need to be able to embark and disembark the train on foot, using the two high steps and grab rail by the door of the carriage. It is not possible to fix a ramp from the platform to the train door.
Foldable Mobility Scooters can be taken on board, for use at the final destination. Requests for wheelchairs and assistance can be made with prior notice, to official railway station services at each station along the route, however, train staff cannot provide these services directly.
Should you or your guests have any special requirements, please do let us know in advance of travel.
Is there Wi-Fi on the train?
Wi-Fi is available throughout the train in all guest cabins. The service is however provided by a mobile device so signal can be intermittent in rural areas. To maintain the ambiance of the train for fellow passengers the use of mobile phones and electronic devices should be restricted to the cabin.
Is there air conditioning on board?
There is a centrally controlled cooling system on board, however individual cabins are not temperature controlled separately with cooling. Guests can control the flow and volume of cooled air into their cabins by opening or closing a vent.
How should I plan to pack?
Types of Luggage:
1. Hand luggage (Ex: Purse, Passports, Tickets, Cameras, Medication, Jewellery).
These items must be kept by the passenger at all times and not checked in.
2. Cabin luggage
We suggest that items required during the journey are packed separately in an overnight bag or suit carrier. This will also be taken from the passenger at check-in and delivered to their cabin by our staff.
3. Through luggage
We suggest items not required for the journey should be packed separately in sturdy baggage. At check-in this luggage will be labelled appropriately by our staff, stored in the baggage van and will not be accessible until the passengers reach their destination.
Skis/Golf Clubs/Bikes: These should be packed in their appropriate cover and checked in with through luggage. These must be advised in advance and are subject to approval. Only foldable bikes in a protective case can be stored on board.
Do the Historic cabins have ensuite facilities and lower beds for both guests?
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express cars are the original 1920s models. Each Historic Cabin has a washbasin, hot and cold water, towels, bathrobes and slippers – no shower facilities. WCs are located at either end of each sleeping carriage. For those looking for more room to relax, our Suites and Grand Suites, complete with private ensuite facilities, offer the ultimate escape.
Note: Historic cabins feature twin beds – with a lower and upper bunk. If a guest is unable to physically climb to the upper bunk then we suggest opting for one of our Suites.
Note: Journeys on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train can last from one to several days. The traditional and most popular route between London and Venice takes two days, with one night on board. For longer journeys – we will disembark the train for the 2nd night and this will allow guests the ability to shower in the comfort of their hotel room.
SOMEWHERE ELSE TO CONSIDER
Subscribe now for your chance to win
a $500 Travel Voucher
Be the first to hear about our new Holiday Packages