The service
On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, there are three tiers of accommodations. The historic cabins (from £3,530 / approx. $4,500 per person) have daytime couchettes that become nighttime beds, and a personal washbasin; shared restrooms are located at the end of each sleeper carriage. The suites (from £7,260 / approx. $9,255 per person) offer more space, with sofas that become either a double bed or twin beds, a sitting area, and a small bathroom equipped with a toilet and a shower cubicle. The Grand Suites (from £10,165 / approx. $12,959 per person) are at the zenith of indulgence, offering everything the suites do, plus 24-hour butler service, free-flowing Champagne, the option for private in-cabin dining, and spacious marble en-suites bathrooms.
Best time to travel
Any time is the best time to travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Its journeys are scheduled from March to December annually. With various routes, origins, and termini tied to the seasons, you’d do well to pick not only a journey that works with your schedule, but also destinations that suit your tastes and interests. With stops at cultural capitals throughout Europe like Paris, Vienna, Prague, and Venice—and even Amsterdam and London—the options are plentiful. See the full schedule of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express here.
What to pack
For the one-night journeys on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, guests are permitted to keep in their cabins only one small suitcase and a bag per person. Think of it like a carry-on bag and a personal item when boarding a plane. Your larger items (big suitcases, trunks, ski gear, etc.) are checked into the luggage car and inaccessible during the trip, so be sure to keep all your essentials like medication, valuables, and travel documents with you. As far as the onboard dress code goes, “smart daywear” is the watchword. For dinner, black tie is not a requirement but certainly the norm.
What comes after
Depending on your destination, you can always extend the la douceur de vivre by checking into one of Belmond’s hotels, like the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Villa San Michele in Florence, and of course Splendido in Portofino. Transfers are covered by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Prices start from £7,920 / approx. $10,100 per person based on two guests sharing a Historic Cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and a Garden View Room at Splendido. The price includes an overnight journey on the train, two nights at the hotel and breakfast each day, a bespoke dinner by Chef Jean Imbert at La Terrazza, and transfers in Paris and Portofino. For more information, visit belmond.com.
