How Many Orient Express Trains Are There?

The name Orient Express is often used as though it refers to one train, but today it can mean several very different rail experiences. Some are historic, some are modern, and some carry the legacy of the original train in completely different ways.

If you are wondering whether the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Orient Express La Dolce Vita and Eastern & Oriental Express are the same thing, the short answer is no. They are distinct trains with different routes, styles and histories.

This guide explains how many Orient Express trains there are, what happened to the original service, and which luxury rail journey may be right for you.

At a glance

The original Orient Express: the historic train service launched in 1883
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Belmond’s iconic European luxury train
Orient Express La Dolce Vita: a modern Italy-focused luxury train
Eastern & Oriental Express: Belmond’s luxury train in Southeast Asia
They are not all the same train: each offers a different experience

So how many Orient Express trains are there?

There is not just one Orient Express train. Today, travellers usually mean one of three things when they use the name:

the historic original Orient Express
the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Europe
Orient Express La Dolce Vita in Italy

There is also the Eastern & Oriental Express, a separate Belmond luxury train in Southeast Asia. It is not the Orient Express itself, but it belongs to the same world of high-end heritage rail travel.

In other words, the answer depends on whether you mean the historic train service, the modern trains carrying the legacy, or the wider family of luxury trains often associated with the name.

The original Orient Express

The original Orient Express began in 1883 and became Europe’s most famous long-distance luxury train. It connected Paris with the East and is most closely associated with the classic route to Constantinople, now Istanbul.

Over time, the route and service evolved, but the original Orient Express became legendary for its elegance, international glamour and place in travel history.

The historic service no longer runs in its original form. That is why so many travellers now ask whether the modern trains using the name are the “real” Orient Express.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

For many travellers, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the closest modern equivalent to the original legend. Operated by Belmond, it uses restored 1920s and 1930s carriages and recreates the glamour of classic European rail travel.

This is the train most people picture when they imagine the romance of the Orient Express: Art Deco interiors, polished brass, elegant dining cars and iconic journeys such as Paris to Venice, as well as selected other European routes.

Style: historic Art Deco glamour
Region: Europe
Best for: heritage, romance and iconic rail journeys

If you want the most famous and nostalgic Orient Express-style experience, this is usually the train to choose.

Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Orient Express La Dolce Vita is a very different interpretation of the brand. Rather than recreating the 1920s, it celebrates Italian glamour, design and lifestyle, with journeys focused on Italy.

The train is positioned as a modern luxury experience with contemporary suites, private bathrooms and itineraries that showcase Italian culture, cuisine and landscapes.

Style: modern Italian luxury
Region: Italy
Best for: food, culture and contemporary comfort

It carries the Orient Express name, but the onboard experience is completely different from the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

If you are deciding between the two, see our guide: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express vs Orient Express La Dolce Vita.

Eastern & Oriental Express

The Eastern & Oriental Express, also operated by Belmond, is another luxury heritage-style train, but it is based in Southeast Asia rather than Europe. It offers journeys in the region including Malaysia and Singapore.

Although it is not the Orient Express itself, it is often mentioned in the same conversation because it shares a similar spirit of old-world rail glamour, attentive service and destination-led luxury travel.

Style: heritage luxury with Southeast Asian character
Region: Southeast Asia
Best for: travellers seeking luxury rail beyond Europe

Which Orient Express train is the “real” one?

This depends on what you mean by “real”.

If you mean the historic original service, that was the Orient Express launched in 1883.

If you mean the closest modern recreation of the classic legend, that is generally the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, thanks to its restored historic carriages and classic European atmosphere.

If you mean the newest train carrying the Orient Express name, that is Orient Express La Dolce Vita, which takes the brand in a more contemporary and Italian direction.

Which train should you choose?

Choose Venice Simplon-Orient-Express if you want:

the most iconic European luxury train
historic Art Deco carriages
a more formal and romantic atmosphere
a journey rooted in classic rail heritage

Choose Orient Express La Dolce Vita if you want:

modern suites and private bathrooms
a more contemporary onboard feel
Italian food, culture and regional journeys
a train that fits naturally into a wider Italy holiday

Choose Eastern & Oriental Express if you want:

a luxury rail journey outside Europe
Southeast Asian scenery and culture
a heritage-style Belmond rail experience in Asia

Our view

The confusion around the Orient Express name is understandable. It is one of the most famous names in travel, but it now covers more than one type of luxury rail experience.

For travellers dreaming of the classic legend, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is usually the closest match. For travellers drawn to Italy, design and modern comfort, Orient Express La Dolce Vita offers something quite different. And for those looking beyond Europe, the Eastern & Oriental Express opens up a separate world of luxury rail travel altogether.

Explore more Orient Express journeys

Plan your journey with Mulberry Travel

We help clients understand the differences between the world’s great luxury trains and choose the journey that best suits their style of travel, destination and priorities.

Whether you are looking for the romance of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Italian glamour of La Dolce Vita or a wider luxury rail itinerary, we can help you plan the right journey.

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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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I recently travelled to Vienna and stayed in a five star hotel San Souci. After spending two days in Vienna my son and myself boarded the famous Orient Express train back to Paris and then onto London with Eurostar premium. The whole trip was organised by Mulberry Travel who arranged everything to perfection. I would recommend Mulberry travel to anyone. They took great care to ensure that we did not have any problems with our itinerary. The train ride on the Orient Express was in my opinion one of the best experiences of my life.

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