The new service, called La Dolce Vita Orient Express, will offer passengers a five-day and four-night luxury rail experience across Europe inspired by the glamour of the historic Orient Express and the elegance of Italian “dolce vita” culture.

First Journey Scheduled For October 2026

The inaugural departure is scheduled for 22 October 2026, with passengers travelling from Rome through Venice, Budapest and Romania before arriving in Istanbul.

The experience begins at the newly designed Orient Express Lounge inside Rome’s Roma Ostiense railway station.

The lounge, created by architect Hugo Toro, will welcome guests with Italian aperitivo, sparkling wine and live music before boarding.

1960s Italian Design Inspires Train Interiors

Milan-based studio Dimorestudio designed the train’s interiors and draw inspiration from 1960s Italian style and vintage luxury rail travel.

Passengers will stay in private cabins and suites featuring retro-inspired décor combined with modern luxury amenities.

Standard cabins measure approximately seven square metres, while larger suites offer around 11 square metres of space.

Michelin-Starred Dining Onboard

Dining onboard will be led by Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, whose cuisine will feature throughout the journey in the train’s luxury restaurant car.

Evening service will include aperitifs, multi-course dinners and live musical entertainment.

Journey Crosses Some Of Europe’s Most Historic Cities

After the first overnight journey, passengers will arrive in Venice, where optional curated experiences include lagoon boat excursions and themed city tours inspired by Casanova.

The route then continues to Budapest, offering travellers the chance to explore the Hungarian capital’s architecture, history and riverside dining culture.

On the following day, the train crosses the Carpathian Mountains before stopping in the Romanian towns of Brașov and Sinaia.

Final Destination Reaches Istanbul

The final stage of the route brings passengers to Istanbul, one of the original historic destinations associated with the legendary Orient Express.

Travellers will be able to continue exploring the city’s markets, mosques, palaces and historic districts after arrival.

Luxury Rail Tourism Continues Expanding

The revival of luxury rail travel has accelerated in recent years as high-end travellers increasingly seek slower, experience-focused journeys combining heritage, gastronomy and scenic travel.

Luxury train operators across Europe have continued investing in premium routes aimed at travellers seeking alternatives to conventional luxury tourism.

Tickets Start From €20,000 Per Person

The Rome-to-Istanbul journey is positioned firmly within the ultra-luxury travel segment, with ticket prices starting from approximately €20,000 per passenger.

The project reflects growing global demand for immersive luxury rail experiences inspired by the golden age of European train travel.