Part of the charm of travelling on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is that no two carriages on the train are identical. The original Orient Express was a service rather than a specific train and used different rolling stock throughout its lifetime from 1883. By the 1920s the Orient Express left Paris daily on a three-night journey to Istanbul, so there were at least six Orient Express trains in operation at any one time. By the 1930s the service expanded with a further five European routes in operation including services to Budapest, Bucharest, Athens, Zurich, Vienna and Brussels to name but a few.
When the train was lovingly brought back to life in the 1980s, from two original Orient Express carriages which the owner at the time, James Sherwood, had tracked down in an auction in 1977 – it took a further six years to find another 25 original cars and create the train we know as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express today.
Given the vintage of different carriages, each has a history of its own, which makes for a rather enjoyable meander down the train when you are en route to, or back from, the restaurant and bar cars. Every carriage displays a plaque with its history – from carriage 3309 believed to have been the original inspiration for Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ to carriage 3544 used as a brothel during World War II, and of course carriage 3674, otherwise known as the Bar Car. Each carriage has its own marquetry design, upholstery and fittings and finishings – many modelled on original vintage designs.
Carriage '3674' – the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express bar car
Looking along one of the Grand Suites carriages, no. 3425.
Officially it’s not possible to pre-select which carriage your cabin or suite will be in, unless you’re travelling in one of the six Grand Suites – Venice, Paris and Istanbul in one carriage and Vienna, Prague and Budapest in another carriage – with a particular suite reserved in your name at time of booking. However, if you’re travelling for a special occasion and have your heart set on a particular carriage, please mention this to your Luxury Holiday Company specialist who will certainly ask for a note to be added your reservation (which should increase your chances of being in the carriage of your dreams, but there’s no firm guarantee). That said, there’s no such thing as a bad carriage on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
There are three cabin types on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, namely Historic Cabins, Suites and of course the most luxurious of all – the Grand Suites.
The popular cabin choice is the historic cabin. When you board the train your historic cabin will be set as a daytime lounge, with a comfy banquette seat running the full length of your cabin with plenty of space for two with a small table and lamp next to the window. Both travellers can relax and enjoy the many and varied views whizzing by as the train wends its way across Europe. There’s a wash basin and mirror concealed inside a vanity unit, complete with plug sockets (pack a European plug adaptor) and razor point. Every cabin comes with a complimentary leather amenity kit, packed full of goodies and this is yours to take away with you when your journey on board comes to an end as well as an endless supply of complimentary bottled water. There’s also a brass luggage rack and faded velvet hangers to pop your overnight bag on and hang your black tie and dress up on so any creases have hung out well ahead of dinner time.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Historic Cabin in the daytime
Historic Cabin in the daytime
With a historic cabin, when you return after dinner and perhaps a night-cap in the Bar Car, your cabin will have been turned into upper and lower berth bunk beds, with a nifty wooden ladder for the upper berth occupant. Bedding is soft and luxurious, though with the cabins being heated by coal-fired radiators you may find little need for the VSOE monogrammed fluffy blanket. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express thoughtfully provides all guests with a fetching blue and white cotton kimono and matching blue slippers, so if you do need to pop to the loo at the end of each carriage in the middle of the night you’ll look suitably glamorous as you do. That said we do advise clients pack pyjamas for the modesty of your fellow travellers.
Historic Cabin, night-time configuration
Historic cabin, night-time configuration
Pairing elegant designs inspired by the train’s routes with those classic Art Deco flourishes for which the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is known, the all-new Suites – launched in 2023 – bridge the gap between the train’s historic cabins and the illustrious Grand Suites, detailed below. Each Suite features a private marble en-suite bathroom and a bedroom where you will specify a double bed or twin bed configuration at time of booking, which will convert to a lounge with comfy sofa or two large chairs by day. With plenty of space, a champagne table (the ultimate luxury train must-have) and elegant marquetry you can really enjoy your own private lounge space, no need for a fight for the top (or bottom bunk) and of course the added privacy of your own en-suite bathroom complete with loo, sink and even a shower and complimentary Guerlain toiletries.
Suite aboard Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a twin bed configuration
Champagne table in a Suite aboard Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Suite bathroom aboard Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
If you're celebrating a big birthday or anniversary, a Grand Suite is the ultimate way to travel in style. Introduced in March 2018, two of the original carriages were completely stripped down and redesigned to house just three Grand Suites each, making six in total. And grand they are indeed, with double queen-sized bed, separate sitting area complete with private bar and an en-suite shower room with brass piped shower, Murano glass sink and wooden seated toilet. It would be tempting to never leave, with a private steward, shared between your carriage, at your beck and call. In-suite dining is also possible and every amenity has been provided, from Lalique toiletries to Dyson hairdryers and Venice Simplon-Orient-Express branded cut-crystal glassware. There are even plush white waffle dressing gowns, exclusively designed and embroidered with the name of your Grand Suite, which are yours to keep as a souvenir as you disembark the train, or have posted to your home address to save on baggage.
The Venice Grand Suite shower room
The Venice Grand Suite
Each Grand Suite takes its unique design from the name of a European city – Paris, Venice, Istanbul, Vienna, Prague and Budapest. So, while identical in layout, furniture and amenities, each has a very different feel. In Venice, Italian blues dominate from the headboard to the Murano glass sink, while in Istanbul, Moorish fretwork and lamps recreate the mystery of the Ottoman period. Paris echoes Art-Deco design in every feature, from the fans carved into the wooden bedstead to the original 1930s Lalique lamps lovingly found and restored from a Parisian flea market. Vienna is shades of imperial green and delicate embroidery. Lastly, every suite has its very own key and keyring – a welcome addition in keeping with the history of the train. There are no electronic keycards here.
Spread across one complete carriage, this stunning suite blends artistry and timeless elegance to create a new level of luxury accommodation aboard the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Designed in collaboration with world-renowned artist JR, this single-carriage suite draws inspiration from celestial observatories, inviting guests to gaze through carefully positioned skylights, enjoy sweeping views, and revel in a space that marries exquisite craftsmanship with visionary design – a seamless blend of classical mastery and avant-garde artistry.
L'Observatoire guests will enjoy a range of exclusive amenities, including the services of a personal steward, all drinks from fine wines to world-leading champagne and private in-suite dining from a menu curated by Chef Jean Imbert. There's also a selection of complimentary luxury amenities, including fine loungewear and toiletries, as well as exclusive gifts specially curated by JR. And, L'Observatoire guests will enjoy private transfers from the train to their accommodation within a 300km radius.
L’Observatoire Suite
Dining area in L’Observatoire Suite
Freestanding bath in L’Observatoire Suite