Orient Express launches luxury sleeper train from Rome to Istanbul – with cabins costing up to £47k

A luxury rail journey inspired by the original Orient Express is launching between Rome and Istanbul this autumn, with the top suites costing over £47,000.

Accor-owned brand La Dolce Vita Orient Express introduced luxury rail journeys around Italy last year, reminiscent of the “Golden Age” of travel and named after the legendary opulent train that rolled from Paris to Istanbul in the 19th century.

So far, the train has kept its touring within Italy, but this autumn it will make its first international journey on a route from the Italian capital to Istanbul.

The five-day, four-night luxury train journey will depart Rome in the evening of 22 October and head towards Venice, where guests will be invited to spend a full day exploring the city’s palaces and canals.

The train will then continue eastwards to Budapest, where guests will be allowed to disembark the train and spend the day exploring its grand architecture and iconic bridges.

The journey continues through the the Carpathian Mountains, stopping at Romanian destinations such as medieval Brașov, and Sinaia, which is filled with royal residences.

Private tours around Venice, Budapest and the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania will be available for guests to book.

The final stretch of the route then passes into Turkey, reaching Istanbul in the afternoon of the final day.

On board, the train is composed of 31 cabins, including 18 suites, 12 deluxe cabins, and the La Dolce Vita Suite.

Interiors have been designed by Dimorestudio, inspired by the eclectic elegance of 1960s Italy, with geometric motifs, organic shaped furniture and bold terracotta-hued colourways throughout.

Cabins are available from €34,000 (£29k) for single occupancy or €40,000 (£34k) for a deluxe cabin sleeping two people. Meanwhile, suites are available for €46,240 (£40k) for one person, or €54,400 (£47k) for two.

Deluxe cabins consist of a sofa that folds out into a double bed, marble-clad en suites and a mini bar. Suites are slightly larger with a separate bed and sofa, and an en suite.

Each room has a call button that will summon a steward to collect your room service order, with Italian delicacies such as olives, a cheese platter and breadsticks on the menu.

The largest of all the suites at 30 metres squared is the La Dolce Vita Suite. This is only bookable by directly contacting the company’s reservations department, so it is unclear how much the bill would be.

It includes a living area, a dining space, two bathrooms, one with double sinks, a walk-in wardrobe, bespoke silk and Murano glass artwork and a personal “Suite Conductor” concierge.

Down in the restaurant car, a menu has been conceived by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, who has launched restaurants across the world, some of which are in luxury hotels.

From early morning breakfasts to late night snacks, each dish will be created using produce and recipes from Italian regions, while a wine list has been picked from prestigious Italian vineyards.

After dinner, guests can enjoy live music performed by a pianist and a vocalist on board the train.

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