Newsletters
The legendary Orient Express is preparing to return to Istanbul with a new luxury train service departing from Rome this October, reviving one of Europe’s most iconic railway routes more than a century after its original launch.
Operating under the name “La Dolce Vita Orient Express,” the five-day journey will begin on Oct. 22 in Rome and conclude in Istanbul after passing through Italy, Hungary and Romania.
Passengers will be welcomed at Rome Ostiense Station in the newly designed Orient Express Lounge created by architect Hugo Toro.
The train’s interiors draw inspiration from 1960s Italian design, featuring luxury suites and cabins. Guests will also be served menus prepared by three-Michelin-star chef Heinz Beck throughout the journey.
The route includes stops in Venice and Budapest before continuing across the Carpathian Mountains into Romania, with scheduled visits to the medieval city of Brașov and the mountain resort town of Sinaia. The train will then follow the historic Orient Express line to Istanbul.
Ticket prices for the exclusive journey start at €20,000, depending on cabin selection.
First launched in 1883, the Orient Express became one of the most famous luxury trains in the world, earning nicknames such as the “king of trains” for its lavish interiors and elite passengers.
Over the decades, the train hosted diplomats, royalty, and internationally known figures, including Agatha Christie and Mata Hari.
The historic railway also became a major source of inspiration for literature and cinema, most notably Murder on the Orient Express.
Istanbul’s historic Pera Palace Hotel remains closely linked to the legacy of the train and its place in European cultural history.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
