Is it still possible today to feel like a character from an Agatha Christie novel, sipping champagne in the dining car of a speeding train? It turns out you can—and it’s not just a dream reserved for wealthy retirees.
The Orient Express departed for the first time on October 4, 1883 from Gare de l’Est in Paris. The journey to Constantinople took 67 hours back then—today, that might seem like an eternity, but at the time it was revolutionary. Passengers dined on real porcelain, slept in luxurious compartments, and felt like aristocracy.
Ile kosztuje podróż Orient Expressem – od legendy do luksusu
I thought it was all in the past, a relic for history enthusiasts. But surprise—turns out reservations for 2025 are breaking popularity records. People genuinely want to take this train, even though prices start at around £3,500.
Interestingly, it was literature and film that brought the Orient Express back into vogue. “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie is not just a great book—it’s a brand that stirs emotions. Anyone who has read the novel or seen its adaptations has vivid images of an elegant, mysterious journey in their mind.
Today, we no longer take trains out of necessity—we have airplanes, which are faster and often cheaper. But the Orient Express isn’t about transportation; it’s an experience. It’s a journey where the destination doesn’t matter—it’s all about the ride itself.
I’ve seen photos of the interiors of the modern carriages—they look like palaces on wheels. Mahogany paneling, crystal chandeliers, staff in white gloves. It’s a level of luxury that’s almost nonexistent in everyday life now.
Maybe that’s why people are willing to pay so much? In a world where everything moves fast and digital, the Orient Express offers the opposite—slowness, elegance, and a touch of the past.
Transparent pricing: current rates and packages
A friend of mine recently returned from a trip on the Orient Express and showed me the bill. I thought he was joking—15,000 euros for two nights. It turned out that’s the standard price for a suite.
I checked the current rates for the 2025/2026 season and put them together in a simple table:
| Route | Cabin | Price range | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| VSOE London–Venice | Historical cabin | 3,500–7,200 EUR | Meals, 24/7 service |
| VSOE London-Venice | Suite | 12,000–20,000 EUR | as above + space, double bed |
| Orient Express Paris-Istanbul | Standard cabin | 4,800–9,500 EUR | All meals, service |
| Orient Express Paris-Istanbul | Suite Deluxe | 18,000–35,000 EUR | as above + private salon |
The differences between the cabins are huge. In the historic cabin, you have bunk beds that the steward unfolds from the seats in the evening. These are authentic carriages from the 1920s. The Suite is a whole different league—a real bed, a private bathroom with a bathtub, and sometimes even a balcony.
What’s included in the price? Pretty much all the basics—breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the dining car, 24/7 steward service, bedding, towels. Some people think it’s like a hotel —it’s not; here, you’re paying for the entire travel experience.
You’ll pay extra for premium alcohol, city tours during stops, spa massages (if the carriage has a spa), and laundry. Regular wine with dinner is included, but a bottle of Krug champagne isn’t.
Important note about currencies—the prices are listed in euros, but you can pay in various currencies. I checked the rates, and here’s the deal: if you have dollars, it’s better to use them when the EUR/USD rate is high. In Polish zloty, it’s about 80,000–150,000 PLN per person for a standard cabin. The British VSOE sometimes offers better rates if you pay in pounds.
I see these numbers and wonder—what am I actually paying so much for? After all, this isn’t just regular transportation.
What affects ticket prices: seasons, routes, and standards
I remember trying to figure out why a ticket for the Orient Express in December costs as much as my friend earns in a month. It turns out it’s no coincidence—the prices are shaped by several key factors that work together like clockwork.
Seasonality is the first and most important factor. During the holiday season and summer vacations, demand rises dramatically. The difference between high and low season can reach as much as 200-300%, which is standard in the case of luxury travel. In 2024-2025, we’re also seeing a price increase of 20-30% compared to the previous period—this is the result of inflation, which hits the premium sector especially hard.
The length of the route plays a huge role in shaping demand. A five-day Paris-Istanbul journey attracts a completely different clientele than a one-day London-Paris trip. The former is a true adventure, while the latter is more of an extravagant way to enjoy a short getaway. Demand for longer routes is lower, but much more stable.
Cabin class obviously affects the price, but not just because of the standard of amenities. It’s also a matter of prestige and exclusivity. The higher the class, the greater the impact on the overall atmosphere of the journey.
Limited supply is also crucial—the train has only 87 cabins and 14 suites, and operates just 50-60 journeys per year. This means that even with moderate demand, seats sell out quickly. The math is unforgiving.
The costs of the dining cars are a separate story. It’s not just about the food, but the entire experience—staff, porcelain, fresh ingredients delivered at every station. All of this must be reflected in the ticket price.
Each of these elements alone could raise costs by several dozen percent. Together, they create a price list that can make your head spin. But is it really worth paying that much?
Is it worth it? Calculating prestige for the future
Luxury trains are an investment in experiences, but is it really worth paying that much?
I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, especially after my friend came back from the Orient Express and spent a month describing every meal. The truth is, it’s not an easy decision.
| Plus | Minus |
|---|---|
| A unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience | Very high transport cost |
| No flight stress or security checks | Limited availability of seats |
| Eco-friendliness of travel | Long travel time |
| Luxury service and cuisine | Little flexibility in the plans |
The ecological aspect is something rarely discussed. A train emits 80% less CO₂ than a plane on a similar route. These are hard numbers, not marketing talk. If you care about the environment, that’s a strong argument.
What about the future? The outlook isn’t optimistic for your wallet. Experts predict prices will rise by another 10-20% by 2026. This means that a trip from London to Venice, which costs 3,000 euros today, could exceed 3,500 euros in two years.
Why will it be so expensive? Inflation, rising fuel costs, renovations of historic carriages. Plus, demand is growing faster than the number of available seats.
I have three concrete tips for those considering such a journey:
Book a year in advance. I’m not kidding— the best routes and cabins sell out exactly then. Prices are also lower with early booking.
Choose the low season. May and September are the sweet spot—good weather, but prices are 20-30% lower than during the summer peak.
Check alternative routes. Instead of the popular Paris-Istanbul, try a lesser-known route through the Alps. Often just as spectacular, but cheaper.
Honestly, this isn’t just transportation from point A to B. It’s more like buying a very expensive book you’ll remember for years. Or like a fine whisky—you don’t drink it every day, but when you do, it’s worth savoring.
If you’ve got the money and want something truly special—go now, because it’s only going to get more expensive later.
Mark
travel editor
Luxury News
