The legendary luxury train Orient Express, which once connected Paris and Istanbul between 1883 and 1977, is set to return to the tracks in 2027 — nearly half a century after its last full journey across Europe.

While parts of the original 3,000-kilometer route continued to operate after 1977, the complete Paris–Istanbul line has remained dormant for almost 50 years. Now, the world’s most iconic train is preparing for a grand revival that promises to capture the romance, mystery, and elegance that made it a legend of the rails — and immortalized it in Agatha Christie’s 1933 detective classic Murder on the Orient Express.

Restoration work is already underway, with the train’s original 1920s carriages being meticulously renovated. These vintage Art Deco wagons have been modernized for contemporary comfort while preserving their historic craftsmanship and charm. The revival project is spearheaded by Accor, the company that owns the Orient Express brand, which describes the reborn train as “a stunning dialogue between heritage and modernity.”

Passengers will travel in lavish suites featuring full double beds, elegant woodwork, and Cartier clocks adorning the walls. Every inch of the interiors is handcrafted by skilled artisans to recreate the golden age of luxury rail travel.

The story of the restoration is as fascinating as the train itself: a team of historians discovered 17 abandoned carriages near the Poland–Belarus border, and each has since been painstakingly restored to its former glory.

Ticket prices have not yet been announced, but experts expect them to be premium. Before its return to service, travelers and design enthusiasts will have a chance to admire the restored carriages at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, where they will be on display until 2027 as part of the exhibition “1925–2025: A Century of Art Deco.”