Orient Express Prices and Routes 2026: The Complete Cost Breakdown

The Orient Express remains the gold standard of luxury travel, but the landscape has changed for the 2026–2027 season. Today, two distinct services carry the legendary name: the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) by Belmond, featuring restored 1920s carriages, and the newly launched La Dolce Vita by Accor, which began its full-scale Italian operations in 2025.

Below is the updated 2026 price breakdown, current route guide, and a fare comparison for both iconic trains.

Orient Express Ticket Prices: 2026 Comparison

Planning an Orient Express journey in 2026 can be confusing because the “original” route has evolved into two very different luxury experiences.

Whether you are chasing the 1920s Art Deco glamour of the Belmond carriages or the sleek, mid-century Italian style of the new La Dolce Vita by Accor, your starting price and onboard amenities will differ significantly.

Belmond vs. Accor: Which Orient Express is Right for You?

To be honest, even though the trains are coming under the same brand name, the experiences are completely different. While VSOE from Belmond is a reincarnation of the old CIWL service with a 1920s-1930s Art Deco vibe.

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La Dolce Vita is not a restoration, but a new making following 1960s posh trends. Their routes are quite different as well. Accor train provides a more in-depth exploration of Italy, while Belmond operates throughout the entire Europe, including the iconic Paris – Istanbul route.

Choosing between the two “Orient Express” trains is less about the price and more about the destination and the style of luxury. Because their routes rarely overlap, the best way to choose is by deciding whether you want a pan-European journey or a deep dive into Italy.

The pricing policy differences come from the accommodation: historic cabins at VSOE often have more affordable costs. On the contrary, La Dolce Vita only has suites, so the minimum is substantially higher.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) 2026-2027 Routes and Prices

The VSOE is a “Grand Tour” train. Its routes are mostly one-way, crossing borders between Europe’s most iconic cities. It operates primarily from March to November. Prices below are the starting rates per person based on double occupancy. These rates include accommodation, 4-course dinners, and steward service.

It’s worth noting that VSOE operations are paused in January and February, so no trips are available during these 2 months.

The VSOE remains the benchmark for cross-border luxury. While most journeys are 1-night “tasters,” the signature 5-night Istanbul expedition remains the ultimate bucket-list trip.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express 2026 Itineraries

Even though the brand name is associated with 1920s Art Deco, the interiors and vibe of the Accor train are taken after the 1960s Italian La Dolce Vita art style. The sleepers resemble boutique hotel rooms rather than train cabins.

Unlike VSOE, Accor’s train doesn’t offer historic compartments – only deluxe cabins and suites are available, each one with an ensuite bathroom and more space. Deluxe cabins are 7 m² / 75 sq ft, and Suites are 11 m² / 118 sq ft in area. Therefore, more upscale accommodation affects the starting price range.

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Initially, the routes were planned to cover 14 regions and 131 cities across Italy, France, Croatia, and more. However, as of 2026, La Dolce Vita offers 20+ itineraries, mostly within Italy, and recently extending to Istanbul. Some of the trips are round, and fewer of them are one-way.

Whispers at Midnight	Rome → Montalcino → Venice → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	Round trip	€8 ,880
Rome → Sicily via Naples	Rome → Naples → Taormina → Palermo; 3 days / 2 nights	One way	€7 ,880
Sicily → Rome via Naples	Palermo → Taormina → Naples → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	One way	€7 ,880
Rome, Portofino & Venice	Rome → Portofino → Venice; 2 days / 1 night	One way	€4 ,160
Jingle Route	Rome → Naples → Florence → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	Round trip	€8 ,320
Eternal Stones of Matera	Rome → Matera → Pescocostanzo → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	Round trip	€7,440
Venice & Tuscany	Rome → Venice → Siena → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	Round trip	€6,120
Tastes of Tuscan Vineyards	Rome → Montalcino → Rome; 2 days / 1 night	Round trip	€3 ,060
Italian Swing	Rome → Apulia → Siena → Tuscany → Rome; 4 days / 3 nights	Round trip	€14,160
Rome → Venice	Rome → Siena → Venice; 2 days / 1 night	One way	€3 ,500
Venice → Rome	Venice → Siena → Rome; 2 days / 1 night	One way	€3 ,500
Sicily → Rome	Palermo → Taormina → Maratea → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	One way	€7,880
Northern Greens	Rome → Brescia → Turin → Tuscany → Rome; 4 days / 3 nights	Round trip	€14 ,160
Venice & Portofino	Rome → Venice → Portofino → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	Round trip	€8,320
The Truffle Route	Rome → Nizza Monferrato → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	Round trip	€8 ,880
Rome → Sicily	Rome → Maratea → Taormina → Palermo; 3 days / 2 nights	One way	€7 ,880
Rome → Istanbul	Rome → Venice → Budapest → Transylvania → Istanbul	One way	€20,000
The Grand Tour	Rome → Venice → Matera → Taormina → Palermo → Rome	Round trip	€14,880
Istanbul → Rome	Istanbul → Plovdiv → Sofia → Timișoara → Vienna → Venice → Rome	One way	€16,640
Shores of Sicily	Palermo → Siracusa → Agrigento → Palermo; 2 days / 1 night	Round trip	€4 ,440
The Italian Wine Route	Rome → Montalcino → Verona → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	Round trip	€5,780
The Carnival Party	Rome → Siena → Venice; 2 days / 1 night	One way	€3,720
Siena & The Palio	Rome → Siena → Rome; 3 days / 2 nights	Round trip	€9,440

Understanding the Italian “Land Cruise”

Unlike the VSOE, which is primarily a point-to-point transport, La Dolce Vita operates like a cruise ship. Many routes are round trips from Rome.

The price typically includes “Off-board experiences,” such as private winery tours in Montalcino or guided walks through the Sassi of Matera. If you are looking for a deep-dive into Italy without unpacking your suitcase, this is the functional choice over the VSOE.

What is the “Nostalgie-Istanbul” Train?

You may see references to a 3rd train: the Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express. This is Accor’s second project using 17 original 1920s carriages found in Poland. Update for March 2026: While initially rumored for 2025, the full relaunch has been shifted to 2027.

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You can currently view the restored carriages at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris until April 2026, but you cannot book a ticket for this specific service just yet.

What is Included? The Modern Orient Express Experience

The 2026 ticket price is more than just a rail fare; it is an all-inclusive immersion into a “Golden Age” lifestyle. While the VSOE and La Dolce Vita differ in design, both prioritize Michelin-level gastronomy and 5-star service.

Five-Star Dining on the VSOE

VSOE has 3 restaurant cars: Cote d’Azur, Etoile du Nord, and L’Orientale. Each of them is styled in an Art Deco fashion, creating an opulent atmosphere.

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L’Orientale is themed in an Eastern vibe with Chinese laquer wall panels, and Côte d’Azur features ornate glass panels by René Lalique. All meals are included in the ticket, and passengers can pick the restaurant for each meal or choose breakfast to be served in their cabin.

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Unfortunately, all alcohol options come at an additional cost, and the decision to treat yourself with 50g or 1.7oz of caviar will incur a 670 EUR ~ 710 USD charge according to the Belmond website.

Piano bar

The bar car has a lounge for before and after relaxation and socializing, a cocktail bar, and a live mignon grand piano.

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The interior is done in Art Nouveau style. It’s worth mentioning that this elegant venue has nothing to do with the original Orient Express. Back then, it was much more frugal and didn’t have a designated bar or lounge.

Breathtaking sceneries

Gliding through the European countryside, you’ll see landscapes and cities unfold like scenes from a movie.

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From the rolling vineyards of France to the majestic Alps and the quaint villages of Eastern Europe, the scenery is constantly changing and always mesmerizing.

Luxury accommodation

VSOE offers 3 types of compartments: historic cabins, suites, and grand suites.

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1. Historic cabins are the original sleeping cars from the 1920s-30s used by CIWL on different routes. They were adjusted to include some modern-day facilities like air-conditioning and plug sockets. The sofa used in the daytime unfolds into a 2-storey sleeping berth.
2. Suites and Grand Suites are modern creations with modern facilities like bathrooms. Suites may have double or twin beds; therefore, they can be referred to as Double Suites or Twin Suites.
3. Grand suites have a lounge area on top of everything that suites have.

All compartments follow the Art Deco style, with intricate wooden work and plush upholstery; however, each Grand Suite has a country-inspired theme like Budapest, Prague, Istanbul, etc.

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Recently, Belmond announced the L’Observatoire carriage, which is entirely for single-customer use. The carriage is intended to host only 2 people, but will allow a lot more space: a bedroom, a bathroom, a dining room, a wardrobe, and a “secret tea room”.

What Is the Orient Express? Key Facts

The Orient Express began service in 1883, connecting Paris and Istanbul and creating a legend of luxury rail travel. Over the decades, the service evolved, adding branches and crossing different countries, until the original service stopped in 1977.

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Launch Year & Original Route

• 1883 maiden trip: Paris –> Constantinople (Istanbul) via Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, and Budapest. The journey covered ~1,700 mi/2,735 km and took about 80 hours
• Historical branches included the Simplon route through Switzerland and Italy, the Arlberg route via Austria, and the Ostend –> Vienna route
• Original service discontinued in 1977 due to competition from air travel and changing geopolitical conditions

From 1883 to 1977

The Orient Express was inaugurated by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL). CIWL was founded by Belgian businessman Georges Nagelmackers in 1876. Making many trips through North America and using the Pullman Company trains, he heard many complaints about comfort and privacy.

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While taking train rides, he took countless notes and sketches. This is how Nagelmackers envisioned a train that would span continents, offering unprecedented levels of comfort and luxury. Another prominent figure in the Orient Express operations was René Pechère, who served as a director at CIWL during its peak and helped expand its services across different routes.

How much did the Orient Express cost in 1920?

The cost of a first-class ticket was substantial. For example, a ticket could cost around 700 French francs in the early 1900s, roughly equivalent to about $4,000 today when adjusted for inflation.

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According to Sophie Basch in “Le voyage à Constantinople: l’Orient-express” Snoeck-Ducaju & Zoon, 1997:

A first-class ticket from Paris to Constantinople on the Orient Express cost 586 gold francs in 1913 (22 shillings London pounds), representing twenty-three times a servant’s wages

The train attracted royalty, celebrities, and aristocrats. Its reputation for luxury was matched only by the tales of espionage, diplomacy, and romance that unfolded in its carriages.

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Among the most famous passengers were Leo Tolstoy, Marlene Dietrich, King Carol II of Romania, and many more. King Boris III of Bulgaria frequently traveled on the Orient Express due to its strategic route through the Balkans.

Throughout its operation, the Orient Express had several changes to its route and service, mainly due to geopolitical changes such as wars and the shifting borders of countries.

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For instance, during World War I and World War II, the service was interrupted and routes were altered. After World War II, the original route was no longer viable due to the Iron Curtain and changes in the political landscape of Europe.

The decline of the Orient Express came after World War II, primarily due to the advent of affordable air travel and the disruption caused by the war. The original service ceased in 1977.

Orient Express Routes Retrospetive

The original route ran from Paris to Istanbul, then known as Constantinople, passing through Munich, Vienna, Budapest, and Bucharest. Later on, certain branches extended the service to Athens, Brussels, and London.

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The Orient Express, beyond its famous Paris to Istanbul route, included several other routes over its history due to changes in geopolitical boundaries, demands of travelers, and the expansion of the rail network. Some of these additional routes included:

Simplon Orient Express (1919)

Introduced in 1919, this route took a southern path through Switzerland via the Simplon Tunnel, going through Italy, and then into the Balkans, reaching Istanbul.

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It was introduced partly as a response to geopolitical changes after World War I.

Arlberg Orient Express (1919)

This route provided service from Calais, Basel, and Zurich through Austria to Budapest, Bucharest, and eventually to Istanbul. It started operating in 1919 and provided an alternative through the scenic Arlberg Pass.

Ostend-Vienna Orient Express (1932)

Beginning service in 1932, this train ran from Ostend in Belgium to Vienna, Austria. It was a connection primarily serving travelers from the United Kingdom to Vienna without needing to go through Paris.

Taurus Express: The Middle East Connection

Starting in 1930, this train connected Istanbul with Baghdad and later extended to Cairo, providing a link across the Middle East, which was crucial for both local travelers and British colonial interests in the region.

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These routes reflected the CIWL’s strategy to adapt to changing travel patterns and political landscapes, offering luxurious rail travel across a wider network in Europe and extending into Asia and the Middle East.

Each route catered to different regional demands while maintaining the high standard of service associated with the Orient Express name.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

When CIWL seized the service in 1977, some of the carriages ended up at auction. James Sherwood, a businessman from Kentucky, US, purchased them. Later on, he bought some more Pullman carriages. So in May 1982, the first route was made from London to Venice via the Simplon tunnel, thus the name.

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Over the years, they expanded their operations, adding more and more routes. The name ‘Belmond’ was adopted in 2014; previously, the company had the name Orient-Express Hotels Ltd, sticking closely to the iconic train name. In 2019, the company was acquired by LVMH.

Beyond the Mainline: Other Iconic Luxury Trains

While the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and La Dolce Vita capture most of the headlines, the legacy of luxury rail travel extends to several other legendary services. Some of these, like the British Pullman, are direct “day-trip” extensions of the Orient Express brand, while others offer a similar level of 1920s-style opulence in different parts of the world.

British Pullman (A Belmond Train)

British Pullman is another restoration from Belmond. It recreates the atmosphere of the 1920s, using the old Pullman carriages. All departures are made from London Victoria Station, towards numerous destinations across the entire England: York, Kent, Liverpool, Bath, Bristol, etc.

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All trips are short as the train has no sleeping facilities. Every carriage has a unique name like Audrey, Munerva, Cygnus, and so on. Every ride includes a champagne reception, a gastronomic five-course lunch, wine, coffee, tea, and petit fours.

But the highlight is, of course, the entertainment: Murder Mystery, cabaret, private guided tours, and masterclasses. Prices start at £350/€412/$445 per passenger.

Maharajas’ Express

Maharajas’ Express is a relatively new luxury train service. It has been operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) since 2010. The train has 14 sleeper carriages, a bar, a lounge, and storage.

All cabins, from Deluxe cabins to Suites, have an individual bathroom. Maharajas’ Express operates from October to April and offers 4 routes, with 3 of them lasting 7 days/ 6 nights and 1 with a 4-day/ 3-night duration.

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“Heritage of India” goes from Mumbai to Delhi, passing through Bikaner, Jaipur, and Agra. “Indian Panorama” is a round trip starting and ending in Delhi, the highlight on the route is Varanasi.

“The Indian Splendour” is a reverse route for “Heritage of India”. The last shortest route, “Treasures of India,” is another round trip from Delhi, passing through Agra and Jaipur. The prices for the 2026 season start from $4890, according to the official website.

Northern Belle

Northern Belle is referred to as “Britain’s most luxurious train”, but compared to all listed above, that might be a questionable statement. It has been in operation since 2010 and is a recreation of Northern Belle running in the 1930s.

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It offers a wide variety of routes throughout northern Britain at an affordable price starting from £295/€347/$375. The trips are usually short, all within a single day. Northern Belle is recognized for its fine dining. The highlight is a reception of champagne, caviar, and blinis offered free of charge.

Rocky Mountaineer

A Canadian The Rocky Mountaineer company based in Vancouver, provides this luxury train service. It has been in operation since the beginning of the 1990s. Since then, it has transported over 2 million guests, making it the biggest privately operated train network. The highlights of this train are its glass-dome carriages, providing views from various angles. Rocky Mountaineer operates from April to October.

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There are no sleeping carriages, so the passengers stay in the hotels across the route (included in the package). The Rocky Mountaineer offers 2 levels of service: SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. The major difference between SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf is that the latter has a bi-level glass dome and an outdoor viewing platform.

Currently, Rocky Mountaineer offers 4 routes:

1. Rockies To The Red Rocks (Moab → Denver)
2. First Passage to the West (Vancouver → Banff)
3. Journey Through The Clouds (Vancouver → Jasper)
4. Rainforest to Gold Rush (Vancouver → Jasper)

The prices for the 2026 season start at £1,255/€1,473/$1,592.

Hiram Bingham by Belmond

Hiram Bingham is another luxury train operated by the Belmond Group. It was established in 1999 in cooperation with PeruRail. The main route is from Cusco to the entrance to Machu Picchu. No wonder it is named after its rediscoverer.

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The route offers iconic views over the Sacred Valley, as well as a lavish atmosphere and fine dining. The distance is short – about 3.5 hours. The price is £450/€527/$570 according to the official website. Of course, the obvious highlight of this ride is getting to see Machu Picchu.

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