The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Is the Luxury Experience Worth It?
Let’s cut to the chase: The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) costs more than most people’s monthly rent.
But here’s the thing—I’ve sipped champagne in its Art Deco dining cars, slept in mahogany-paneled cabins, and watched the Swiss Alps glide by like a living painting.
Was it worth emptying my savings? Let’s break it down, Agatha Christie-style. Clue: You’ll want to bookmark the booking page by the end.
1. A Time Machine on Rails: History Meets Glamour
The Legend Lives On
The VSOE isn’t just a train—it’s a relic of the 1920s, when spies, royalty, and artists like Hemingway clinked glasses under crystal chandeliers.
The original carriages? Restored to perfection, with marquetry floors, Lalique glass, and brass fittings polished by hand. Riding it feels like stepping into Murder on the Orient Express, minus the fictional corpses.
Famous Footsteps
Princess Diana, JFK, and Marlene Dietrich once rode these rails. Today, you might share a bar car with CEOs or a novelist scribbling their next bestseller.
The vibe? Old-world opulence with a dash of mystery.
Pro Tip:
Book the Historic Cabins for the full Great Gatsby experience. Yes, they’re smaller than modern suites, but the nostalgia is priceless.
2. The Route: Europe’s Most Iconic Landscapes, Unfurled
Classic Journeys
The flagship route: Paris to Venice (or vice versa). You’ll glide through the Alps, past Lake Geneva, and into Italy’s Dolomites.
But newer routes like London to Istanbul or Paris to Prague let you chase autumn foliage or spring blossoms.
Scenery That Steals the Show
Imagine waking up to snow-capped peaks outside your window, then watching vineyards and medieval villages blur past as you sip espresso.
The train slows at Brenner Pass, the highest point, so you can gawk at valleys without spilling your drink.
Seasonal Magic
Winter transforms the journey into a snow globe fantasy. Summer? Golden light bathes the Austrian countryside. There’s no bad time—just different shades of wow.
3. The Cabins: Small but Stunning (Like a Luxury Closet)
Historic vs. Grand Suites
The Historic Cabins are cozy—think 40 sq. ft. with fold-down beds and a tiny sink. But the damask curtains, fresh roses, and steward service make it feel like a palace.
For more space, splurge on a Grand Suite (150 sq. ft.) with a private bathroom and 24-hour butler.
Nighttime Rituals
Your steward converts your seat into a plush bed while you’re at dinner. You’ll drift off to the rhythm of the rails, wrapped in Egyptian cotton.
Pro tip: Pack light—there’s no room for a steamer trunk.
Quirky Detail:
The cabins have no TVs or Wi-Fi. Instead, you get a leather-bound journal. Write your novel, sketch the views, or just savor the disconnect.
4. Dining: Michelin-Starred Meals at 60 MPH
Breakfast in Bed
Start your day with croissants, fresh fruit, and coffee delivered to your cabin. The china? Bernardaud—the same used by the French president.
Lunch & Dinner: Theater on a Plate
The restaurant cars are the train’s beating heart. Menus, crafted by French chef Jean Imbert, include dishes like lobster thermidor and duck à l’orange.
Pair them with wines from Bordeaux or Burgundy. Dessert? A chocolate tart so rich, you’ll need a nap.
Dress Code Drama
Black tie is required at dinner. Yes, it’s extra luggage, but swishing through the corridor in a gown or tux? Pure magic.
5. The Bar Car: Where the Party (Quietly) Happens
Live Jazz and Liquid Gold
After dinner, the bar car buzzes with piano melodies and clinking coupes of champagne. Order a Vesper Martini (shaken, not stirred) and swap stories with fellow travelers.
Midnight Secrets
Stick around late, and the staff might share tales of ghostly passengers or hidden compartments. Or maybe that’s the cognac talking.
6. Service: They Anticipate Your Whims (Yes, All of Them)
Butlers, Not Staff
Need a shirt pressed at 2 AM? Done. Want a midnight snack? A silver tray of truffled cheese appears. The crew’s attention to detail is borderline psychic.
Languages Spoken
French, English, Italian, German—the staff switches effortlessly. Lost in translation? Not here.
7. The Price Tag: Let’s Talk Numbers
What You’ll Pay
- Historic Cabin (Paris-Venice): From €4,500 per person.
- Grand Suite: From €7,500 per person.
- Extras: Champagne, excursions, and spa treatments add up.
What’s Included
- All meals (except alcohol).
- Butler service.
- A front-row seat to history.
The Competition
Yes, you could book a five-star hotel and private tours for less. But can a hotel replicate the thrill of rolling into Venice as the sun rises over the Grand Canal? Nope.
8. The “Worth It” Factor: My Final Verdict
For Bucket-Listers: Absolutely
This isn’t a train ride—it’s a living museum, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a time capsule rolled into one. If you crave storytelling moments (“Remember that night on the Orient Express?”), this delivers.
For Budget Travelers: Maybe Not
If you’d rather spend €4,5k on three months in Bali, skip it. But if you view travel as art, this is your Louvre.
The Magic Ingredient: Exclusivity
Only 170 passengers ride at a time. No crowds, no selfie sticks—just you, the clinking crystal, and the Alps.
How to Book (Without Buyer’s Remorse)
Official Site: Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Timing: Book 6–12 months ahead for best cabin options.
Hack: Travel offseason (November–March) for lower prices and festive themes like Christmas markets.
Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?
Let’s be real: The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a once-in-a-lifetime splurge.
But as I stepped onto the Venice platform, watching porters in white gloves unload my suitcase, I realized something: Life’s too short for “maybe next year.” If you can swing it, book the damn ticket.
Some experiences don’t need a price justification—they are the justification.
