Venice Simplon-Orient-Express:
Geneva to Venice, Innsbruck & Verona

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a A Belmond Train. But it’s also a time capsule from the 1920s and ’30s, dressed in polished wood, plush velvet and enough Art Deco to make Gatsby weep with envy.

But before we get too carried away sipping martinis in the bar car, here’s a little history. The original Orient Express first steamed out of Paris in 1883, a marvel of European engineering and elegance that linked the West to the East with destinations as far as Istanbul. Fast forward to the late 1970s: the golden age of luxury rail travel had dimmed, and the original Orient Express had taken its final bow. But British rail enthusiast and collector of fancy things, James Sherwood, wasn’t having it. He spent $16 million rescuing, restoring and reviving vintage 1920s carriages, and in 1982, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express made its debut. Today, the VSOE operates between iconic European cities like Geneva, Innsbruck, Verona and Venice.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Carriages

The carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are walking (well, rolling) biography: born in the golden age of travel with bits of history. The train has 17 lovingly restored carriages, many of which date back to the 1920s and 1930s. These are the original Art Deco icons that once whisked around royalty and the kind of people who wore hats unironically.

L’Oriental (Dining Car No. 4095)

Born in 1927 and originally dubbed “Voiture Chinoise,” this dining car is all lacquer panels and subtle exotic flair. It was recently restored and it serves as one of the train’s three gastronomic hubs, offering multi-course meals that taste like they should come with their own orchestra. It’s dimly lit, sultry and chic.

Etoile du Nord (Dining Car 4110) 

Built in 1926, Etoile du Nord is less a dining car and more a rolling love letter to the golden age of travel. The name translates to “Star of the North,” and trust us, it lives up to the celestial hype. Once gracing routes between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, this carriage now shines as a dining venue known for its polished wood marquetry and plush furnishings. Under the creative direction of Chef Jean Imbert, this car now serves dishes that feel like Parisian poetry on porcelain plates. Think foie gras, filet de boeuf and flambéed cherries.

Côte d’Azur (Dining Car 4141)

Built in 1929, this dazzling belle of the rails features original René Lalique glass panels. Yes, that Lalique, the French master of Art Nouveau sparkle. The frosted glass details give the carriage a glow that could rival a Mediterranean sunset, while the blue color palette nods to the luxury of its seaside namesake. Formerly used on the glamorous Côte d'Azur Pullman Express, it now plays host to gourmet dinners with a side of silver service. When you dine here, you’ll feel like you’ve gatecrashed a 1930s Monaco garden party.

Bar Car 3674

Originally a restaurant car built in 1931, it was transformed into the Bar Car we know (and adore) today during the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express's revival in the 1980s. It is now cloaked in navy and gold, with velvet seats, mirrored ceilings and its very own baby grand piano. Fancy a negroni at 10 am? No judgment here. With live music, white-gloved bartenders and an atmosphere that hums with cocktail hour, this is where tuxedos loosen their bowties.

L’Observatoire (Private Carriage 3553)

L’Observatoire, launching in 2025, is a design-forward fever dream crafted by French artist JR. This artist is known for his large-scale public art and penchant for the unexpected. This is an immersive art installation that happens to move. Featuring nearly 10,000 scalloped wooden tiles, a secret tearoom, a reading nook, a lounge with a telescope, a fireplace (yes, a fireplace) and a bathtub, it’s rolling luxury. Designed for just two guests, this private suite on rails is priced like a five-star penthouse.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Itineraries

Geneva to Innsbruck (1 night)

Day 1 - Geneva

Your adventure begins in the elegant city of Geneva, where you board the legendary midnight-blue carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Departure is estimated at 21:50, but let’s be honest, once you step aboard, time becomes a charming illusion. As the train glides away from the Gare Cornavin station, you’ll head straight into the glamour of a four-course dinner.

Day 2 - Innsbruck

Rise to a continental breakfast served in your cabin by your steward. No lines, no fuss, just flaky pastries, fresh coffee, and an ever-changing alpine panorama outside your window. As the sun rises over snow-capped peaks and forested valleys, the train makes its final approach to Innsbruck. Estimated arrival in Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof station: 08:45, just in time for a full day of sightseeing, après-sleep, or maybe a few schnitzel-fueled adventures.

Prices:

Contact us for pricing

Inclusions:

• One night in a luxurious historic cabin aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
• Four-course table d’hôte dinner with seasonal specialities
• Sommelier-selected wines and complimentary tea, coffee, biscuits and cheeseboard
• Continental French breakfast served in your cabin
• Access to the glamorous Bar Car 3674
• Dedicated steward service throughout your journey
• Option to shop in the exclusive onboard boutique

Geneva to Verona (1 night)

Day 1 - Geneva

Your evening begins at 21:50 in the Gare Cornavin station. Slip into your private Venice Simplon-Orient-Express cabin, then make your way to one of the three glamorous Restaurant Cars: will it be the elegant Lalique panels of Cote d’Azur, the rich marquetry of Étoile du Nord, or the exotic lacquered tones of L’Oriental? No wrong choices here, just four courses of fine dining.

Day 2 - Verona

Wake up slowly to the soft rattle of the rails and continental breakfast served in your cabin. Take your seat once more for a three-course lunch. Spend your final onboard hours browsing the onboard boutique. By 16:00, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express arrives in Verona Porta Nuova station and you will get a glimpse of the city of Romeo and Juliet.

Prices:

Contact us for pricing

Inclusions:

• One night aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in a luxurious historic cabin
• A four-course gourmet dinner with biscuits, chutney, cheese, coffee and petit fours
• Sommelier-selected wines during all table d’hôte meals
• Continental French breakfast served in your cabin
• A three-course lunch on Day Two
• Afternoon pastries in your cabin
• Full dedicated steward service throughout your journey
• Access to Bar Car 3674 and the onboard boutique

Geneva to Venice (1 night)

Day 1 - Geneva

The station clock strikes 21:50 in the Gare Cornavin station. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express pulls in with all the swagger of a cinematic icon and departs from Geneva. Once you step aboard, you’ll experience luxury. Dinner is no afterthought. Settle into one of the lavish Restaurant Cars, where the tables are crisp, the wine is flowing, and the seasonal four-course menu is plated like art. Outside: mountains. Inside: pure magic.

Day 2 - Venice

You will wake up to the rhythm of the rails and a knock at your cabin door with your steward handing you a continental breakfast. By late morning, it’s time for another culinary act: a three-course lunch served in one of the exquisite dining cars. As you dine, the train rolls onward through northern Italy. Somewhere along the route, you pass Verona, the famed city of star-crossed lovers. As the train crosses the Venetian Lagoon, the air changes and by 19:07, you pull into Santa Lucia Station. Welcome to Venice.

Prices:

Contact us for pricing

Inclusions:

• One night aboard the Venice Simplon‑Orient‑Express in a luxurious private cabin
• Four‑course gourmet dinner with all the trimmings and sommelier‑selected wines
• Continental French breakfast served in your cabin
• Three‑course lunch aboard
• Afternoon goûter pastries in your cabin
• Dedicated steward service throughout the voyage
• Access to Bar Car 3674 and the onboard boutique
• Complimentary transfer from Venice Santa Lucia to your accommodation

Where to Stay

Geneva

• Beau-Rivage Genève (5 stars): If you want to wake up where royalty once did, this is your spot. Since 1865, Beau-Rivage Genève has been the grand dame of Lake Geneva. This five-star icon has hosted everyone from empresses to Einstein.

• Hôtel Bristol Genève (4 stars): Tucked between the lake and the city’s heartbeat, Hôtel Bristol Genève blends Belle Époque charm with modern comfort. The rooms are bright and stylish, and the spa? A hidden gem.

• Stay KooooK Geneva City (3 stars): Want a fresh, fun base in Geneva that feels more like your own stylish apartment than a hotel? Stay KooooK nails it with clever design, kitchenettes, and a super central location that’s perfect for both work and play.

Innsbruck

• Schwarzer Adler Innsbruck (5 stars): Looking for Tyrolean luxury with a side of history? Schwarzer Adler is your answer. This 500-year-old boutique hotel has rooms that blend old-world charm with modern elegance. There is also a rooftop spa and panoramic whirlpool.

• Hotel Grauer Bär (4 stars): Right in the heart of Innsbruck, Hotel Grauer Bär is the perfect mix of comfort and cool. The rooms are sleek and contemporary and the hotel is just steps away from the historic Old Town. But what really steals the show? The rooftop wellness area, complete with a glass-walled pool that makes you feel like you're swimming in the sky.

• Boutique Hotel Zach (3 stars): Looking for a cosy spot in Innsbruck that’s easy on the wallet and big on comfort? Boutique Hotel Zach serves up bright, modern rooms and a central location just a short stroll from the Old Town and train station—perfect for exploring the Alps without the fuss.

Verona

• Due Torri Hotel (5 stars): If walls could talk, the Due Torri Hotel would have centuries of love stories and royal secrets to share. This five-star gem sits in the heart of Verona, just steps from Juliet’s balcony.

• Hotel Accademia (4 stars): Tucked inside a former noble residence, Hotel Accademia hits the sweet spot between location and luxury. You're right in the city center. As you stay there, you’ll be minutes from the Arena di Verona and Via Mazzini's high-end boutiques.

• Hotel Milano & SPA***S (3 stars): Want to unwind in the heart of Verona with the Arena practically at your doorstep? Hotel Milano & SPA**S delivers sleek modern rooms, a rooftop hot tub with killer views, and just the right touch of Italian flair—all without the luxury price tag.

Venice

• The Gritti Palace (5 stars): Staying at The Gritti Palace is like stepping into a living painting. Overlooking the Grand Canal, this 15th-century palace turned luxury hotel is dripping in Venetian opulence. Just imagine Murano glass chandeliers, hand-painted ceilings and antique furniture.

• Hotel Palazzo Priuli (4 stars): Want to stay somewhere that oozes old-world Venetian charm without breaking the bank? Hotel Palazzo Priuli is your answer. Tucked away in a quiet corner near the majestic Saint Mark’s Square, this elegant 14th-century palace turns every stay into a step back in time. Expect soaring ceilings, antique furnishings, and canal views that feel straight out of a painting—all with the comfort of a boutique hotel that still feels wonderfully personal.

• Rosa Salva Hotel (3 stars): Looking for a stylish yet affordable stay just steps from Piazza San Marco? Rosa Salva Hotel blends sleek modern design with a historic setting, making it a smart, no-fuss choice right in the heart of Venice.

Where to Eat

 Geneva

• L’Atelier Robuchon: If you want to experience an art form in meals, then visit this spot. Tucked inside The Woodward Hotel, this two-Michelin-starred restaurant serves elevated French cuisine with precision. From the open kitchen, chefs craft each dish using seasonal ingredients and Robuchon’s iconic techniques.

• Luigia: Ask a Genevan where to find the best pizza in the city, and chances are they'll send you straight to Luigia. This buzzing Italian eatery is all about heart, heat and heavenly crusts.

• Café du Centre: Craving a bit of Parisian charm with your coffee? Café du Centre delivers just that. While the coffee is excellent, the real headliners here are the pastries.

Innsbruck

• Oniriq: This intimate, one-Michelin-starred gem feels like stepping into a culinary dreamscape. Chef Christoph Bickel crafts each course with artful precision, blending Tyrolean ingredients with global inspiration.

• Die Wilderin: If you’re after something authentically Tyrolean with a modern twist, head to Die Wilderin. Locals love this spot for its farm-to-table philosophy and ever-changing menu based on regional produce.

• Kater Noster Café: A little quirky, a little cool, Kater Noster is where Innsbruck’s creatives go for their caffeine fix. This laid-back café blends minimalist Nordic design with vintage charm and serves some of the best coffee in town.

Verona

• Casa Perbellini 12 Apostoli is not your typical fine-dining restaurant. With just a handful of tables and an open kitchen, this two-Michelin-starred spot feels more like an exclusive dinner party hosted by Chef Giancarlo Perbellini himself.

• Antica Bottega del Vino: Dating back to the 16th century, this historic osteria is loved for both its timeless cuisine and its legendary wine list, with over 1,500 labels lining the cellar walls.

• Pasticceria Flego: Right near Piazza Bra, Pasticceria Flego is the kind of place that makes your sweet tooth sing. Elegant pastries, glossy fruit tarts, artisanal chocolates and picture-perfect cappuccinos. It’s basically dessert heaven.

Venice

• Quadri: Ristorante Quadri is where fine dining meets Venetian drama. With views of the basilica and a chandelier-lit dining room, the setting is just as memorable as the food. The Michelin-starred menu by the Alajmo brothers takes classic Venetian flavors.

• Osteria alle Testiere: Tiny but mighty, Osteria alle Testiere is one of Venice’s most beloved local gems. With only about ten tables, this seafood-focused osteria books out fast (so make that reservation early!).

• Pasticceria Tonolo: Venetians have a serious sweet tooth and Pasticceria Tonolo is their go-to fix. This old-school pastry shop has been delighting locals since the 1880s. Expect shelves stacked with cream-filled bomboloni and pistachio croissants.

Other Things to Do

Geneva

• Join a Lake Geneva Cruise: Want a luxurious way to end your day? Hop aboard a private cruise and watch the sun dip behind the Alps as you glide across Lake Geneva. Sip Swiss wine, nibble on local delicacies and take in iconic sights like the Jet d’Eau, elegant lakeside villas and sleepy shoreline villages.

• Wander through Jardin Anglais & L’Horloge Fleurie: Geneva’s lakeside garden is the perfect place to stretch your legs and soak up some Swiss serenity. The Jardin Anglais is all leafy paths, waterfront views and fresh Alpine air. But the real showstopper? The Flower Clock. This includes 6,500 blooms arranged into a ticking tribute to Swiss watchmaking.

• Get lost in art at Musée d'Art et d’Histoire: This isn’t just Geneva’s biggest museum, it’s one of its most fascinating. With over 7,000 pieces to explore and workshops that bring history to life, this museum is an all-day adventure waiting to happen. Inside, you’ll meet European masters like Cézanne and Rembrandt.

Innsbruck

• Explore imperial history at Hofburg Palace: Just a few steps from the Old Town lies the majestic Hofburg Imperial Palace. Once the residence of Empress Maria Theresa, it’s now a beautifully preserved piece of Habsburg heritage.

• Discover the past at the Tirol Panorama Museum: Want to understand the soul of Tyrol? Head to the Tirol Panorama Museum, home to the massive 1,000-square-meter circular painting of the Tyrolean Rebellion. It’s immersive, dramatic, and a little emotional.

Verona

• Climb the Torre dei Lamberti: Want to see all of Verona at once? Head straight for Torre dei Lamberti, the city’s tallest tower. It’s 84 meters high, and the views are well worth the climb (don’t worry, there’s an elevator if you’re feeling pasta-full).

• Step into a Shakespearean tale at Casa di Giulietta: Even if you’re not into Romeo and Juliet, Juliet’s House is still worth a stop. The iconic balcony, the love letters on the walls and the bronze statue of Juliet (rub her right breast for good luck - yes, it’s a thing) make it one of Verona’s most photographed spots.

• Visit Castelvecchio and its museum: This 14th-century fortress turned art museum is a feast for the eyes. Castelvecchio is one of Verona’s most striking landmarks, with a red-brick bridge and dramatic towers. Inside, you’ll find sculptures, paintings and weapons that trace Verona’s rich past.

Venice

• Sail through the Grand Canal: Let’s start big. Venice doesn’t have roads, it has waterways. And the Grand Canal is its main street. The best way to experience it? Hop on a vaporetto (water bus) or book a private water taxi and glide past centuries-old palazzos, domed churches and bustling markets.

• Visit St. Mark’s Basilica: Even if you’re “not a church person,” Basilica di San Marco will leave you speechless. Think glittering gold mosaics, horses stolen from Constantinople (true story) and domes that look like wedding cakes.

• Ride a gondola: Is it touristy? Absolutely. Is it still worth it? 100%. A gondola ride is Venice in its purest form. It’s slow, dramatic, romantic and completely unforgettable. You’ll float under bridges, past ancient buildings and maybe even catch your gondolier singing a soft tune.