Travel aboard the Orient-Express

More than a train, it is a time machine and a muse. We give you the essentials for your trip aboard the Orient-Express

On October 4, 1883, he who became the most legendary train in railway history, was on track for the first time. The East Express. Departure Gare de Strasbourg, arrival Constantinople, the current city of Istanbul. Since then, the Orient Express has never been out of memory despite the current interruption of its initial travels. "This train of kings, the king of trains" is synonymous with greatness, luxury and refinement. His beauty and service on board were able to cross Europe and years, without losing anything from their fascinating characters. Each period car testifies to unique know-how and quality. Since 1930, his style and standing have passed to posterity.

We'll take you backstage, magic and splendour of this mythical train. To prepare your trip aboard the Orient-Express, we also present our mini guide.

The Orient-Express: a story of legend and romance

The blue and gold of the train split the landscape with shine. The mahogany woodwork is smooth and shiny. The gildings show perfect reflections. Champagne flies around the amuses. The damassed fabric benches invite to abandon with softness and volupty. The leather covers ceilings and short tapestry in the corridors. The velvet hangs on windows decorated with windows. The crystal and silver stick in the aisles.

The restaurant, he sees men in tuxedo and women in silky dress. The flowers are perfect for the tables. Caviar and truffle creams spread on porcelain plates. Piano notes accompany murmurs and cocktail parties. Bronze polished lamps project a light tamized in the confidential atmosphere. The lacquers, marbles and marquetry shine without any defects. The copper buttons sound and call the groom. The burglar walls see mythical characters scrolling. During a trip aboard the Orient Express, romantic stories take life at the pace of the locomotive and in the intimate cabins.

A train of inspiration

The famous politicians, writers, press houses are moving on the Strasbourg docks. In 1883, the crowd came to the start of the inaugural trip. The first round trip to the Orient Express is a success. The train too innovative , elegant only comfortable , unleashes enthusiasm and passions. Over time, the myth of the East Express train is built through the literature, cinema and celebrities it welcomes. It is of course the famous novel The crime of the East Express who will forever write the train in collective memory. But apart from Agatha Christie, many illustrious characters made a trip aboard the Orient-Express: Leon Tolstoy, Marlene Dietrich, Lawrence of Arabia, Ernest Hemingway, Coco Channel, Sean Connery or the signatories of the 1918 armistice.

Can we still travel on the Orient Express?

The railing of this railway myth interrupted in 1977. In 1982, another company, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, took over and relaunched a luxurious train on the footsteps of the original Orient-Express. This is not the original train, but the journey, service and decoration are identical.

However, the great return of the Orient-Express, for all and continuously, is planned in 2022 ! The SNCF and the Accor hotel group are working to restore the last cars found. They promise a perfect replica of the time train. Prepare yourself, the rebirth of the trip on the Orient Express will bring in ink and attract the crowds! In the meantime, do as well. At the sound of the whistle, board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

The bars/restaurants of the railway legend

The express trains of the crazy years laugh with elegance, adventure, changeover and tailor-made service. For ever and for ever, culinary experiences aboard the Orient Express and its heir are exhilarating!

No less than three restaurants put small dishes in the big ones for your taste buds! Everyone with their own personality. Throughout your trip to the Orient-Express, you will receive a lot of gourmet attention from your steward. Moreover, from the first minutes of your magical expedition, you are entitled to a cup of sparkling wine and mignardises. Here are the three famous restaurants:

• The Wagon Bar, with its intoxicating atmosphere and sound piano notes, car 3674 is a must-see place of the Venice Simplon Orient-Express. Taste evocative cocktails and luxurious small ovens;
• Les Wagons Restaurants (Côte d’azur, Etoile du Nord, Oriental), a gourmet meal in one of the three restaurants cars is an unforgettable sensory and taste experience. An exceptional chefs prepare sumptuous dishes every day. In the afternoon and in the morning, these gastronomers develop detonating teas, coffees and mignardises. The groom can even deliver them to your cabin;
• Champagne Bar, where the prestigious drink comes in all its forms. Cheers! On your trip aboard the Orient-Express!

Luxurious accommodation of the express train

The flourishing hours of the Orient Express are born of luxury and innovation that it embodies. Therefore, accommodation is no exception. The tedious fabrics and lush woodwork invite you to nights out of time. The tamized lighting gently drives you in Morphée’s arms. The damped sheets keep you warm. In the early morning, you wake up in front of the natural landscape that defies. Then, your cabin turns into a cozy living room as magic. Discover these exceptional feet:

• The Cabins: In the day, they become a living room with a small table, then at night, a cocooning room with two beds. The Cabines Suites consist of two interconnected double cabins;
• The Grandes Suites: luxury summum, the Grandes Suites have a private bathroom, a living room and a double bed, reflecting all the magnificence of the crazy years

The routes of the heir of the Orient-Express

Don't worry. Even if to date, and until 2022, you take the track with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the latter follows the steps of his eldest. For your trip aboard the Orient-Express, you can see the routes:

The flagship itinerary the company extends from Venice to Paris , or vice versa, and hard three days . You're leaving Venice, the romantic Sereneissime. You cross the majestic Dolomites, the great Austrian Alps, the emerald landscapes of Switzerland, to the City of Light. The journey includes one night in a prestigious palace of Venice.

But for your stay revisited with the Orient-Express, other drop points are also possible:

• London,
• Verona,
• Budapest,
• Vienna,
• Berlin,
• Istanbul,
• Bucharest,
• Prague

If you climb aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Turkey, you reproduce trait for the route initial King's train. Your journey will go from Paris to Istanbul, to Budapest, Sinaia and Bucharest. All these capitals have a historical, architectural and cultural heritage that fills their eyes.

The prices of the king of trains

We're not gonna lie. A trip aboard the Orient Express requires a certain budget. The prices below are for one person:

• A minimum of £3 000 (3 500€) for a two-day and one-night journey: Paris-Vérone, Paris-Venise, London-Venice, Paris-Innsbruck, London-Innsbruck, Paris-Berlin, London-Berlin. Possible path in one direction or another. On average, double the price for a Grand Suite or a return trip;
• Average £4 500 (5,200) for a journey of five days and three nights: from Venice to Paris via Budapest, Prague or Vienna. On average, double the price for a Grand Suite or a return trip;
• Come on. £3,400 (€4,000) and £3,900 (€4,600) for these journeys in "Party" mode. Including a night in a prestigious palace before departure and a unique immersive experience in the 1920s
• Count £15 000 (17 600€) minimum to make the iconic and wonderful Paris-Istanbul journey. This includes three nights aboard the train and city tour in the European capitals. If you want a trip on the Orient-Express of this scale, you should know that this mythical route takes place only once a year

You now have all the keys to prepare your adventure on the Orient Express. A journey in an iconic and timeless world awaits you, in order to write one of the most beautiful pages of your tourist adventures. Good road!