If you want the full, classic experience from Paris to Istanbul—the grand dame of train journeys—prices start around $3,500 per person for a historic cabin. That’s for the one-night leg from Paris to Venice, mind you. For the full three-night voyage to Istanbul? Prepare for a price tag that can hit $10,000 or more per person.
And yes, that includes champagne, but not the good stuff if you’re in a budget cabin. (Just kidding, mostly. You get amazing food either way.)
But wait—there are different Orient Expresses now
Here’s the tricky part: the name “Orient Express” has been franchised like a luxury sneaker brand. You’ve got the Belmond Orient Express (the historic one, the one in the movies), which runs specific seasonal routes. Then there’s the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which is basically the same thing but fancier. And now, a new company is launching La Dolce Vita trains in Italy, which start at €2,500 per night. Confused? Me too, honestly.
If you want the real deal—mahogany wood, Art Deco details, and a waiter who remembers your name after one glass of Bordeaux—stick with Belmond. Their shortest route, Paris to Verona, will set you back $3,800 per person in a twin cabin. That’s for one night, including dinner and breakfast. Not cheap, but hey, you’re paying for the memory, right?
Index of /wp-content/uploads/2026/02/
