Venice Simplon-Orient-Express vs Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Two extraordinary trains share the Orient Express name, but they offer very different journeys. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is all about Art Deco heritage, timeless glamour and classic European rail travel, while Orient Express La Dolce Vita brings a more contemporary vision of luxury, rooted in Italian style, cuisine and culture.

If you are deciding between them, this guide compares the onboard experience, cabins, routes and atmosphere to help you choose the right journey.

At Mulberry Travel we regularly help clients choose between the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the new Orient Express La Dolce Vita. While both are exceptional luxury trains, they offer very different styles of journey, and the right choice depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.

At a glance

VSOE: historic, formal, Art Deco and Europe-wide
La Dolce Vita: modern, Italian, relaxed and en-suite throughout
Best for romance: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Best for Italian culture: Orient Express La Dolce Vita
Best for heritage: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Best for modern comfort: Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Overview: what is the difference?

Feature	Venice Simplon-Orient-Express	Orient Express La Dolce Vita
Style	1920s and 1930s Art Deco heritage train	1960s-inspired Italian glamour
Geography	Journeys across Europe	Italy-focused itineraries
Atmosphere	Formal, theatrical and nostalgic	Stylish, contemporary and relaxed
Cabins	Historic cabins, suites and Grand Suites	Modern suites with private bathrooms
Dining	Classic European fine dining	Italian gastronomy and regional flavours
Ideal for	Romance, nostalgia and iconic rail journeys	Food, culture and modern luxury

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express experience

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the most iconic luxury train in Europe and remains the closest thing to the golden age of rail travel. Its beautifully restored carriages date from the 1920s and 1930s, with polished wood, brass details and Art Deco interiors that make the journey feel genuinely cinematic.

Atmosphere onboard

This is a train for travellers who want the full sense of occasion. Evenings are elegant, the dining cars are richly atmospheric, and there is a strong feeling that the train itself is the destination. Many guests dress for dinner, and the overall mood is classic, romantic and unmistakably glamorous.

Cabins and comfort

Accommodation aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express retains the charm of the original carriages. Historic cabins are intimate and characterful, while Suites and Grand Suites add more space and higher levels of privacy. Travellers who value heritage and atmosphere often find that this authentic vintage style is a major part of the appeal.

Who it suits best

Travellers drawn to heritage, glamour and classic rail romance
Couples celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary or special occasion
Guests who want the most iconic luxury train journey in Europe
Those who care more about atmosphere and history than ultra-modern cabin design

The Orient Express La Dolce Vita experience

Orient Express La Dolce Vita takes a very different approach. Rather than recreating the 1920s, it celebrates the style of post-war Italy, with a design language inspired by the glamour of the 1950s and 1960s. Instead of historic nostalgia, the emphasis is on contemporary comfort, Italian character and a more lifestyle-led travel experience.

Atmosphere onboard

La Dolce Vita feels more like a boutique hotel on rails. The aesthetic is sleek, polished and distinctly Italian, and the mood is more relaxed than the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. It still feels exclusive and luxurious, but in a more modern and less theatrical way.

Cabins and comfort

One of the biggest advantages of La Dolce Vita is that the accommodation is designed from the outset for modern expectations. Private en-suite bathrooms, contemporary layouts and more hotel-style comfort make it especially appealing to travellers who love luxury rail journeys but want a smoother, more modern cabin experience.

Who it suits best

Travellers who want modern suites and private bathrooms throughout
Guests interested in Italian food, wine and regional culture
Those who prefer contemporary luxury to heritage nostalgia
Clients planning a wider Italian journey around the train experience

Quick decision guide

Choose Venice Simplon-Orient-Express if you want a historic Art Deco train, formal glamour and the most iconic luxury rail journey in Europe.
Choose Orient Express La Dolce Vita if you want modern suites, private bathrooms and a journey focused on Italian culture and cuisine.
Still unsure? Speak to our specialists and we will help you choose the right train for your travel style.

Cabins: heritage charm or modern luxury?

The biggest practical difference between the two trains is accommodation.

On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, classic cabins are part of the story. They are elegant, atmospheric and beautifully restored, but they preserve the original spirit of historic rail travel. For some travellers, that is exactly what makes the train so special.

On Orient Express La Dolce Vita, the emphasis is firmly on comfort and modern expectations. The suites are better suited to travellers who want luxury rail travel without sacrificing the convenience of contemporary design.

In simple terms, if you want timeless character, choose the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. If you want modern ease, choose La Dolce Vita.

Dining and onboard style

Both trains promise exceptional dining, but the experience is framed differently.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Dining is formal, elegant and deeply tied to the old-world glamour of the train. Meals feel ceremonial, with the setting playing as important a role as the menu itself.

Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Dining is more rooted in Italian identity, regional produce and contemporary culinary style. The experience feels immersive and destination-led, making it especially attractive for clients who travel through food and culture.

Routes and overall journey style

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is designed around legendary European rail travel. Its appeal lies in the idea of crossing borders in extraordinary surroundings, often on routes that feel historic and iconic.

Orient Express La Dolce Vita, by contrast, is more focused on discovering Italy itself. The appeal is not just the train, but the wider sense of Italian place: landscapes, food, regional identity and curated experiences beyond the carriage.

Choose Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for a classic European rail journey
Choose Orient Express La Dolce Vita for an immersive luxury journey through Italy

Which train is right for you?

Choose Venice Simplon-Orient-Express if you want:

The iconic original luxury rail atmosphere
Art Deco interiors and vintage carriage design
A more formal, dressed-up experience
A journey defined by romance, nostalgia and rail history

Choose Orient Express La Dolce Vita if you want:

Modern luxury suites with en-suite comfort
A more contemporary and relaxed onboard atmosphere
An experience focused on Italy’s food, wine and culture
A train journey that feels like part of a wider Italian holiday

Our view

These are not competing versions of the same journey so much as two very different interpretations of luxury rail travel.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is best for travellers who want to step into the golden age of travel and enjoy one of Europe’s most iconic rail experiences.

Orient Express La Dolce Vita is best for travellers who want the prestige of the Orient Express name, but in a more modern, Italian and lifestyle-led format.

Neither is better in absolute terms. The right choice depends on whether you are looking for heritage and occasion or modern Italian luxury.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express the original Orient Express?

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the closest modern recreation of the historic Orient Express, using restored 1920s and 1930s carriages and recreating the glamour of the golden age of rail travel.

What is Orient Express La Dolce Vita?

Orient Express La Dolce Vita is a new luxury train inspired by Italian design and lifestyle. It focuses on journeys across Italy with modern suites and contemporary onboard comfort.

Which Orient Express train is better?

Neither train is objectively better. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express focuses on heritage and nostalgia, while La Dolce Vita focuses on modern Italian luxury.

Which train has private bathrooms?

Orient Express La Dolce Vita is designed around modern suite-style accommodation with private bathrooms. On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, private bathrooms are available in higher cabin categories such as Suites and Grand Suites.

Explore the journeys

Plan your journey with Mulberry Travel

We help clients choose the right luxury rail experience, secure the best available accommodation and build a wider itinerary around the journey, whether that means Venice, Paris, Tuscany, Portofino or beyond.

If you are deciding between the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Orient Express La Dolce Vita, we can help you match the train to your travel style, priorities and preferred route.

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Thank you, Mulberry Travel, for putting together an amazing trip to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary to Venice, returning to London via Paris on the iconic and timeless Venice-Simplon Orient Express. Big thanks to Mollie and Sasha in particular for all their efforts to make it such a memorable experience.

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Venice Simplon-Orient-Express vs Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Overview: what is the difference?

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express experience

Atmosphere onboard

Cabins and comfort

Who it suits best

The Orient Express La Dolce Vita experience

Atmosphere onboard

Cabins and comfort

Who it suits best

Cabins: heritage charm or modern luxury?

Dining and onboard style

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Routes and overall journey style

Which train is right for you?

Choose Venice Simplon-Orient-Express if you want:

Choose Orient Express La Dolce Vita if you want:

Our view

Frequently asked questions

Is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express the original Orient Express?

What is Orient Express La Dolce Vita?

Which Orient Express train is better?

Which train has private bathrooms?

Explore the journeys

Plan your journey with Mulberry Travel

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