A Train Journey at the Price of an Apartment: A Luxury Tour from Turkey to France

A journey from Istanbul to Paris on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is one of the most expensive railway journeys in the world. In 2027, accommodation in a Grand Suite on this route starts at €75,270 per person based on double occupancy. In 2026, the operator lists prices for similar journeys in pounds, so it would be incorrect to compare them directly with the 2027 fares. At the same time, the price is explained by more than the train journey itself: this is a complete five-night experience with accommodation on board, meals, excursions and premium-level service.

The most expensive category is the Grand Suite, and there are only six of these apartments on the train. They are named after cities connected with the history of the route: Istanbul, Paris, Venice, Vienna, Budapest and Prague. Each suite has a separate bedroom with a double bed, a living area and a spacious marble bathroom with a shower and toilet. Passengers also have access to 24-hour butler service, meals served directly in their compartment and unlimited champagne.

However, the history of luxurious compartments on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express began long before the current Grand Suites appeared. As The Telegraph reported, in 2017 the operator introduced new compartments with private bathrooms — at the time, this was a notable change for the train, since most of its historic carriages traditionally had no individual lavatories. That accommodation then cost around £5,500 per person even on the relatively short London — Venice route.

The train’s main appeal, however, lies not only in the size of the compartment. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is made up of historic carriages, many of which were built in the first half of the 20th century and have retained their original interior features. The dining cars feature decorative panels and Art Deco glasswork, while one of the carriages is associated with the name of the famous French master René Lalique. The train itself creates the atmosphere of an era when railway travel was considered not merely a way to get from one city to another, but a social event in its own right.

The Istanbul — Paris route takes five nights. Along the way, passengers visit several European cities, including Bucharest and Budapest, while the programme includes excursions and stops beyond the train itself. These include Peleș Castle in Romania, which has a special connection to the history of the Orient Express: passengers on the first historic journey in 1883 visited the castle at the invitation of the Romanian king.

On board, there is a full restaurant programme featuring high-end dishes and wine pairings. In the evening, passengers can move to the bar car, where musicians perform, turning the journey into a kind of travelling society evening. The train deliberately preserves the atmosphere of the early 20th century: there is no sense of an ordinary modern high-speed train with minimalist interiors and functional compartments.

The train also offers another option for those for whom ordinary luxury is not enough: it can be chartered in its entirety. The Telegraph reported that a private charter of the classic Paris — Venice route cost around £340,000. Wealthy clients can also order bespoke routes, alter the travel programme, invite their own chefs and create personalised entertainment. Some such journeys require up to two years of preparation because of the complex railway logistics involved.

In other words, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is less an expensive way to get from Istanbul to Paris than a multi-day luxury tour in which the train itself is the main attraction. For tens of thousands of euros, passengers receive a historic carriage, a private bedroom and marble bathroom, a butler, restaurant-quality cuisine, champagne and a journey through Europe in the style of the golden age of railway travel. And the price of €75,270 per person for a Grand Suite on the Istanbul — Paris route in 2027 shows just how far the concept of “train travel” can go today for the wealthiest tourists.