The whistle blows steam across the platform as polished brass and deep blue velvet invite you into a world of timeless luxury and romance. The Orient Express is more than a train, it is a journey through the golden age of travel, a moving museum of art deco craftsmanship, and an experience that has captured the imagination of travellers and storytellers for over a century.
In This Article
The History of the World’s Most Famous Train
The Orient Express began its service in 1883, connecting Paris to Constantinople, now Istanbul, across the heart of Europe on a journey that took several days and covered more than 3,000 kilometres. It was the brainchild of Belgian engineer Georges Nagelmackers, who had been inspired by the luxury sleeping cars he saw in America and dreamed of creating a similar service that would rival the grand hotels of European capitals. The train quickly became synonymous with glamour, intrigue, and adventure, attracting wealthy travellers, diplomats, royalty, and spies who used its carriages as a neutral meeting ground between east and west.
The train’s most famous literary association is with Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel Murder on the Orient Express, which cemented its place in popular culture forever. During the golden age of rail travel, the Orient Express was considered the absolute pinnacle of sophistication, and its passenger list read like a who’s who of European aristocracy, celebrity, and political power. The service continued in various forms until 2009, when the original route was finally discontinued after more than 125 years of operation, though the name and the legend live on through the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which preserves the original carriages and spirit of the journey.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Experience Today
Today, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the most famous preserved luxury train in the world. Operated by Belmond, it runs seasonally between London, Paris, Venice, and other iconic European cities, offering passengers the chance to step back into the 1920s and 1930s. The restored carriages feature original marquetry, plush velvet seating in deep blues and golds, and art deco fixtures that have been meticulously maintained and restored by craftsmen who specialise in period rail restoration. Each compartment is a private sanctuary of polished wood, soft lighting, and elegant fabrics, designed for comfort and privacy during the journey.
The dining cars serve multi-course meals prepared by skilled chefs using the finest regional ingredients, presented on fine china with crystal glassware and silver cutlery that gleams in the candlelight. The bar car, with its baby grand piano and art deco fittings, is where passengers gather for cocktails and conversation as the European countryside rolls by outside the large windows. The classic journey runs from London to Venice, crossing through the countryside of France, Switzerland, and the Italian Alps, a route that offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. Other routes include the journey to Paris, the annual trip to Istanbul that revives the original destination, and special seasonal services to Innsbruck and Prague. The passage through the Swiss Alps is particularly breathtaking, with snow-capped peaks, deep forested valleys, and mountain lakes visible from the train’s observation car.
What to Expect On Board and How to Book
A journey on the Orient Express is an exercise in elegance and timelessness that demands participation from its passengers. Dress codes require eveningwear for dinner, and passengers rise to the occasion with cocktail dresses, tuxedos, and their finest jewellery, creating a moving party that could be taking place in any decade from the last century. Meals are served at set times in the dining cars, with sommeliers selecting wines to complement each course and stewards attending to every need with quiet professionalism. Between meals, passengers read in their compartments, socialise in the bar car over champagne, or simply watch the spectacular scenery pass by from the comfort of their armchair.
The cost of travelling on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is significant, with tickets starting at several thousand pounds per person for a one-way journey and rising steeply for the finest suites. Prices vary by route, season, and cabin category, with cabins ranging from standard twin compartments to grand suites that include ensuite bathrooms and double beds with the finest linens. Booking well in advance is absolutely essential, as the train has very limited capacity and the most popular journeys sell out months, sometimes a full year, ahead of departure. Packages often include accommodation before or after the journey and guided excursions at the destination. For many passengers, the experience is a once-in-a-lifetime journey worth saving for, offering a rare and precious chance to step back into the golden age of travel and experience the romance of the rails as it was meant to be.
Would you book a ticket on the Orient Express for the adventure of a lifetime?
Explore all our Europe travel guides, discover the best of the continent.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
- 3 Cheap Vacation Ideas – View all posts in Travel Tips
- Why Visit Hampshire, UK? – View all posts in Travel Tips
- 15 Tips for First Time Travelers to Italy – View all posts in Italy
