Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul
 

Has anyone done the Venice/Simplon Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul lately? They are currently advertising it (or something) for $9100 P/P 1-way. They surely make it sound wonderful. Anyone know anything about it? Thanks as always.

Shrink.

Before I plunked down $9100 I'd make sure I'd want to be on a train for 6 days and 5 nights! Actually that's the trip duration but there are a couple of stops along the way so you're not on the train the entire time.

What do you want to know that you can't find on the web site?

I was hoping that someone had actually done it. Web sites can make something sound a lot better than it actually is. It also would take more convincing than just what is on the web site. Just wondering.
Shrink

My longest train ride was 18 hours, mostly at night, and that was enough. You can take a shorter Orient Express ride to get the feel of the train and its opulence.

The web site does make it look wonderful but it is a lot of time on a train.

Have you looked at these threads?

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-express.cfm?7

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-express.cfm?2

It's been a few years but we took it from Venice to London (haven't taken it to Istanbul). We thought it was everything it was advertised to be and more (me being a train buff didn't hurt!).

Very luxurious accommodations. Impeccable service. Superb meals. The lounge car with grand piano was clearly the center of activity with an elegant but very relaxed atmosphere.

The craftsmanship performed on the resoration work was very evident. We were a little concerned that it might be too stuffy, but wasn't in the least. Meant some wonderful people from all over the world in the dining car.

It was an unforgetable trip and we thought it was worth every penny.

See also:
seat61.com/Turkey.htm
seat61.com/Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express.htm

I travel a few years ago on the Orient-Express from Prague to London and loved it. Really was one of the most amazing trips I have ever done. I would say if you are worried about spending a long amount of time on the train then choose a shorter trip - Two days and one night is just perfect...

http://www.orient-express.com/web/vs...nt_express.jsp

i traveled from venice to paris years ago on the orient-express and it was well worth it.bach then every male wore black tie!it was the only time i ever brought a tux.to europe.3 dining cars of entirely differant motif.try to eat in all of them.i would agree with some of the above that 6 days on the train is a bit much.if they allow you to stay 2-3 days in venice then reboard train then i would sign on.also during my trip my companion was a bit hungry so i summoned the porter and asked if we could get wine,fruit,cheese.we received it in 5 minutes.definetly a "bucket list" trip!

I detect quite some confusion in this thread. There is a "real" train called the Orient Express that has run for 126 years (barring a couple of wartime interludes) and which actually runs for the last time this weekend. Last time I used it in early 2007, I paid €29 for a Paris to Vienna ticket.

Then there is a newcomer, just started in 1982 called the Venice-Simplon Orient Express (VSOE), run as a tourist venture (and probably used mainly by folk who have heaps of money and probably never usually travel by train). That train will continue.

But although the 'real' Orient Express hits the buffers this weekend, there are plenty of regular scheduled overnight services in Europe, the best of them offering fine compartments (or even suites with double beds) for overnight travel.

Before splashing out on VSOE, you might just consider if you really do like long-distance train travel, and evaluate too what would be the regular first class fare for the route in question. If you think it is worth paying twenty times the regular fare for the VSOE experience, go for it and enjoy the ride. If not, think about using regular scheduled services, stopping off here and there along the way. It may turn out to be a whole lot more fun.

Nicky Gardner
editor / hidden europe
www.hiddeneurope.co.uk

Nicky- so sorry to hear the 'real' Orient Express finishes its run this weekend. I love long-distance train travel. But thanks for the information about 'hidden europe' - looking forward to checking it out.

Friends of mine did it from Paris to Venice and said it was definitely not worth the money. They are used to luxury travel - and they said while the people on the train tried - sleeping on a train can never really be "luxurious" - just too crowded, loud and uncomftable.

"sleeping on a train can never really be "luxurious" - just too crowded, loud and uncomftable" - depends on the train. I've slept very well on some trains, and very badly on others. But I wouldn't expect it to be "luxurious".

>I detect quite some confusion in this thread.<

I don't see the confusion. THE OP asked specifically about the pricey VSOE and not the inexpensive "real" Orient Express runs. Those responding all seem to be indicating the VSOE as well as they mention luxury, price and formalwear.