Why is the Paris to Istanbul journey so special?

This is the closest modern recreation of the original Orient Express route to Constantinople. It is not simply a train journey between two cities; it is a rare, multi-day experience combining vintage carriages, fine dining, guided stops, grand hotels and a true sense of railway history.

Is the Paris to Istanbul route better than a shorter Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journey?

It depends what you want from the experience. Shorter journeys are ideal for a first taste of the train, while Paris to Istanbul is much more immersive. With several days on board, hotel stays and cultural visits along the way, it feels more like a complete travel event.

Why does this journey sell out so quickly?

The route only operates on very limited dates and demand is extremely high. Many travellers see Paris to Istanbul as the definitive Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journey, so cabins and suites can be booked far in advance.

Is three nights on board enough to fully enjoy the train?

Yes. Three nights gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the train, enjoy several meals in the dining cars, experience your cabin by day and night, and appreciate the service without feeling the journey is over too quickly.

What should I consider before booking this route?

Availability, cabin choice and travel dates are the key considerations. It is also worth thinking about pre- and post-journey stays in Paris and Istanbul, as the route is rare enough to deserve a carefully planned wider itinerary.

Are the hotel stays an important part of the journey?

Yes. The Budapest and Bucharest stays give the journey more depth, breaking up the rail experience with guided touring, dining and time in two historic cities. They help make the route feel like a grand European itinerary rather than only a train journey.

Is the Paris to Istanbul journey suitable for a special occasion?

Absolutely. This route is especially suited to milestone birthdays, anniversaries, retirement celebrations and once-in-a-lifetime trips. The limited departures, historic route and multi-day format give it a strong sense of occasion.

Can Mulberry Travel help build the journey around the train?

Yes. Mulberry Travel can help with cabin choice, availability, pre- and post-train hotel stays, flights, private transfers and extensions in Paris, Istanbul or elsewhere in Europe.

Paris to Istanbul on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Travel from Paris to Istanbul via Budapest and Bucharest aboard Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. This six-day, five-night journey combines three nights on the train with two hotel nights, one in Budapest and one in Bucharest.

2027 departures: Monday 31 May and Friday 1 October. Contact Mulberry Travel for current cabin availability and prices for your preferred departure.

The iconic rail journey from Paris to Constantinople is faithfully recreated aboard beautifully restored vintage carriages. You need only glimpse the gleaming train and meet your steward to sense the occasion ahead.

Fine dining, time to explore Budapest and Bucharest, and a journey through Central and Eastern Europe make this one of the train’s most distinctive itineraries. Mulberry Travel can help you choose a cabin or suite and arrange a wider holiday with stays in Paris and Istanbul.

Journey at a glance

Paris to Istanbul via Budapest and Bucharest
Six days and five nights
Three nights aboard the train
One hotel night in Budapest and one in Bucharest
Fine dining and guided visits
Cabins and suites, subject to availability
2027 departures: 31 May and 1 October

Price on request

SEE 2027 DEPARTURE DATES

Please contact us for the current journey fare and any additional hotel, flight, Eurostar or transfer arrangements.

Paris to Istanbul departure dates for 2027

Monday 31 May 2027
Friday 1 October 2027

Both departures travel from Paris to Istanbul. Dates and cabin availability are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Ask us about your preferred departure or browse the full 2027 Venice Simplon-Orient-Express departure schedule.

Map & Timing Guide
Detailed Itinerary

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express route from Paris to Istanbul via Budapest and Bucharest

Paris to Istanbul: route and journey summary

Trip Summary & Highlights

Depart Paris Gare de l’Est and travel to Istanbul via Budapest and Bucharest
Three nights aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Two hotel nights: one in Budapest and one in Bucharest
Day 1: depart Paris at approximately 11:00*
Day 6: arrive in Istanbul at approximately 17:30*

*Times are a guide and may vary by departure. Confirmed timings will be provided for your journey.

Six-day Paris to Istanbul itinerary

The following itinerary is a guide to the journey, including meals, hotel stays and visits. Hotels, excursions and timings may vary; we will confirm the arrangements applicable to your chosen departure.

Day One: depart Paris aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at Paris Gare de l’Est. After being greeted by your steward, settle into your cabin and enjoy afternoon tea.
Enjoy a gourmet dinner, prepared by the train’s chefs.
After dinner, retire to your cabin, which has been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

Day Two: arrive in Budapest

Enjoy the scenery as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express travels into Hungary.
Continental breakfast is served in your cabin, followed by lunch in one of the dining cars.
On arrival in Budapest, transfer to your luxury hotel.
A cocktail reception and dinner on the River Danube complete the evening.

Day Three: explore Budapest and rejoin the train

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a private guided tour of Budapest, with lunch at a local restaurant.
Visit the Hungarian Parliament Building, inspired by London’s Houses of Parliament.
Re-board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and continue your journey.
Dinner is served in one of the restaurant cars.

Day Four: Sinaia and Bucharest, Romania

After breakfast, arrive in the mountain town of Sinaia and disembark to visit Peleș Castle.
Rejoin the train for the journey to Bucharest.
Transfer to your luxury hotel for an overnight stay.
Enjoy dinner with musical entertainment at a private venue.

Day Five: cross the Danube and travel through Bulgaria

Rejoin the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express as the train travels south across the Danube and into Bulgaria.
An afternoon stop offers an opportunity to explore the rural surroundings.
Lunch and dinner are served aboard as your journey continues.
Spend your final night aboard the train.

Day Six: arrive in Istanbul, Turkey

Early in the morning, the train enters Turkey and crosses the Thracian Plain.
After breakfast and lunch aboard, arrive in Istanbul in the afternoon.

The itinerary is subject to change. Hotels may vary but will be of a similar standard to those described.

Plan your Paris to Istanbul rail holiday

Mulberry Travel can help with cabin choice, current availability and arrangements before and after the train. Add hotel stays in Paris or Istanbul, flights, Eurostar connections and private transfers to suit your plans.

Request a Paris to Istanbul quotation. For other journeys, explore our Venice Simplon-Orient-Express routes and holidays or the Istanbul to Paris itinerary.

FAQs about the Paris to Istanbul Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Journey

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Teresa Schirmer

Well, to say the least... It was a dream come true!!!! Loved it! The professionalism is outstanding!!! Mulberry team/office was prompt in feedback and executions!! Travel arrangements: They took care of everything!!! ~Door to door car service... A+ ~Hotel was perfect... We felt like royalty! We loved the luxurious rooms. WEll worth the price!!!(and front desk service and restaurant/bar very convenient.)Very centrally located. WE walked everywhere! ~ Pre-concert dinner was romantic, delicious, and the view overlooking the Tuscany fields,... well, a perfect mood set for the Concert. The owner and his children were present to greet us and tell us a little about the site. ~ Andrea Bocelli concert. Well, I was moved beyond words! Of course! I had to stop myself from sobbing!! I would have loved to been closer?.. and I wouldn't have minded paying extra for that. (We were in the yellow section.) One can see what is happening from all of the giant screens. The sound systems are the best ever! ~We met some very nice people... made some business connections and the weather could not have been better. Summer in July in the Tuscany region... well worth it!!! I thank Mulberry travel and its fantastic team so much for their efforts, their kindness! ...They made three ladies extremely happy to have fulfilled one more dream from their bucket list.

Posted 2 months ago

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Attended a Andre Bocceli concert in Florence. Mollie was involved in the coordinated the hotel and seats to the event. Everything was well organized and flawless. I would use Mollie again .

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We had a wonderful holiday. The organisation by Mulberry was impeccable. Everything was perfect.

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Dear Mollie (and Team at Mulberry Travel), I just wanted to send you a quick message to say an enormous thank you for organising our Trip to Florence / Tuscany for Andrea Bocelli. Everything went without a hitch the event and our all our drivers were truly amazing, the hotel was in a fabulous location, they couldn’t have been more accommodating and helpful during our stay. A truly stress free experience and I would have no hesitation in booking with you again and recommending Mulberry Travel to friends / colleagues.

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A weekend in Italy: flying into Pisa, staying in Florence..... Andrea Boccelli Concert Saturday evening. The whole package prepared by Sasha at "Mulberry Travel" along with Mollie made a lifetime experience ✨️ from flights, drivers and the concert package the organisation was spot on! Timings, transport everything went to clockwork. I firmly recommend this company and staff for fantastic travel experience.

Anonymous

An incredible trip to Venice to see Andrea Bocelli all arranged by Mollie. Everything as planned, flights, water taxis & accommodation couldn’t ask for more. A magical time. Thank you

Posted 3 months ago

Mulberry Travel, especially Sasha, has been an incredibly helpful partner in creating wonderful journeys for us. Despite the fact that we are in the United States and they are in the UK, Sasha and team have been exceptionally accessible, patient, professional, and knowledgeable. Last year when a luxury train journey in England was cancelled at 4 am on the day we were set to fly to England, she helped us plan an alternative trip at the very last minute. She planned another trip for us this summer. Kudos to Sasha and her team. They are great!

Mike and Paula Clark

Back form a fantastic holiday organised by Sasha at Mulberry Travel on a Med Cruise with the Monaco Grand Prix. Sasha sent hard copies of all paperwork which made it much easier than looking on our phones. We had a 1 day / night in Nice before the Cruise, - he hotel was very nice and central for going out in the day / night and then only a 10 mins walk to the port to pick up our cruise. I asked for an end of aisle seat at the Grand Prix as my husband has a bad left knee and easier to sit at the end of aisle. - This request was delivered. We will definitely use Mulberry Travel again. Paula and Mike Clark

Posted 4 months ago

Mark Aston

Sasha, our agent, compiled a wonderful and exceptionally well thought out trip to Paris to catch the Venice Simplon Orient Express to Istanbul and a short stay in Istanbul afterwards. Everything was perfect; from the proposed hotels in Paris and Istanbul, to the transfers between airports and hotels. Sasha listened to everything we wanted to experience and delivered above our expectations, with exemplary and timely communications. Altogether, we thoroughly recommend Mulberry Travel.

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Posted 6 months ago

Maggie

Dear Lee and all the Mulberry Travel Team, We just wanted to thank you for organising such a wonderful trip to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Everything ran so smoothly from start to finish. The Hotel Mayfair was absolutely perfect for us, comfortable, elegant, and ideally located. The drivers throughout the weekend and for our airport transfers were excellent, especially Riswan, who drove us to and from the races. He was not only professional but also a wonderful guide, sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge of Paris and France, which really added to the experience. Attending the Arc itself was something we had wanted to do for many years, and we’re so glad to have finally experienced it. Thank you again to you and your team for arranging everything so beautifully. You took all the stress out of the trip for us and we are very grateful. It truly was a memorable weekend. Warm regards, Maggie, Richard & Eleanor

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I cannot recommend Sasha at Mulberry Travel highly enough. Her exemplary service, talent at curating trips and attention to detail as well as support while you travel is unsurpassed. I continue to use Sasha for my travel and have recommended her to friends and colleagues.

Sasha and her colleagues did a fantastic job helping organising our honeymoon, arranging everything; sorting the flights and transfers and picking the hotels for the two centre trip to Verona and Lake Garda that we wanted. Everything went smoothly from the flights, the transfers from Verona airport to the hotel in Verona, between Verona and Sirmione and the return to the airport, the hotels and the Opera (which was a highlight).

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Dear Sasha thank you for organising our trip to Florence to take in the Andrea Bocelli Teatro del Silenzio concert at Lajatico it was amazing as was your organisation of the trip. We had a wonderful time all thanks to you Andrea, Placido and the other guests. I would have no hesitation in booking with you in the future. Kind regards Thiona

This was our first trip with a tour group It was a wonderful experience The hotel accommodations were perfect The dinner experience was wonderful Our driver to the event was great We can’t say enough about this wonderful trip Very organized

Mr & Mrs Gray

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We have just returned from seeing Andrea Bocelli in Italy. The whole trip was organised by Mulberry Travel. I cant recommend them highly enough. They organised everything from flights to transfers to accommodation and also tickets for the concert. Everything ran seamlessly. The Hotel L'Orologia in Florence was one if their recommendations. It was beautiful and centrally situated on a lovely piazza. Transfers to and from the airport and the concert ran like clockwork. I will certainly be booking with Mulberry Travel again for any trips. It took the worry out of organising myself which I would normally do.

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Sasha and Mollie were fantastic from the initial enquiry to the final plans . Every aspect of the trip was amazing and the Concert was truly amazing ! I cannot praise Mulberry Travel enough . A wonderful trip ! Thank you 😊

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I recently booked a cruise to include tickets to Monaco Grand Prix for a special birthday surprise. Sasha contacted me via email so as not to spoil the surprise. This attention to detail continued along with timely correspondance throughout the whole planning period. The cruise was a great success but the hotel recommendations and even private hire transfers from airport, hotel and cruise port were all part of the very professional service and nothing was too much trouble. I would happily recommend Mulberry Travel to friends and family and will definitely use their services again. Thank you.

Paris to Istanbul on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Price on request

Paris to Istanbul departure dates for 2027

Paris to Istanbul: route and journey summary

Six-day Paris to Istanbul itinerary