Orient Express

Orient Express is an international train line recognized as Europe’s first luxury train, offering regular services between Paris and Istanbul since 1883. Over its history it operated on various routes, carried distinguished passengers including kings diplomats writers and spies and has served as the subject of numerous literary works and films.

Orient Express (Anadolu Agency)

Origins and First Journeys

The foundations of the Orient Express were laid when Belgian engineer Georges Nagelmackers decided to introduce the sleeping car concepts he had observed in America to Europe. In 1876 he founded the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (International Sleeping Car Company) which became one of the continent’s most important railway operators.

The train made its inaugural journey on 4 October 1883. Departing from Paris it traveled by land to Varna Port and then continued to Istanbul by ship. Among the first passengers were diplomats from various countries the correspondent from The Times and the writer and traveler Edmond About. About documented his journey in his 1884 book De Ponteise à Stamboul.

The journey time of initially up to two and a half months was reduced to 80 hours with the first service. This improvement quickly made the train a preferred mode of transport among Europe’s elite.

The First Journey from Paris to Istanbul (Generated by Artificial Intelligence.)

Luxury and Fame

The Orient Express stood out for its opulent features reminiscent of royal palaces. Sources describe its curtains as silk its glasses as crystal and its tables as silver. Passengers changed outfits several times a day and often wore special attire for evening meals.

Among the famous travelers on the train were French President Paul Deschanel the spy Mata Hari Bulgarian King Ferdinand and writer Agatha Christie. Christie wrote her novel Murder on the Orient Express while staying at the Pera Palace Hotel. Novels such as Graham Greene’s Stamboul Train and John Dos Passos’s Orient Express are also associated with this train.

The Orient Express’s Luxury Dining Car (Generated by Artificial Intelligence.)

Routes

Original Route (1883–1962)

The train originated in Paris and passed through Strasbourg Munich Vienna Budapest and Bucharest before reaching Istanbul. Between 1883 and 1889 the Black Sea connection was also used. This route operated from 1883 to 1914 1919 to 1939 and 1945 to 1962.

Simplon Orient Express

Launched in 1919 this route began in Paris and passed through Lausanne Milan Venice Belgrade and Sofia before reaching Istanbul. It operated from 1919 to 1939 and 1945 to 1962 and later continued under the name Direct Orient Express until 1977.

Arlberg Orient Express

Operating from 1930 to 1939 and 1945 to 1962 this route began in London and passed through Calais Paris Zurich Innsbruck Vienna and Budapest before reaching Bucharest or Athens.

Other Routes

Over the years from 1883 to the present various cities including Milan Venice Varna and Sinaia have been incorporated into the train’s itinerary.

Train Arriving at Sirkeci Station (Generated by Artificial Intelligence.)

World Wars and Turning Points

During World War I the Orient Express services were suspended. When services resumed in 1919 Germany and Austria were removed from the route and journey time was reduced to 58 hours.

Carriage number 2419 of the Orient Express hosted the signing of the armistice between Germany and the Allies in the Forest of Compiègne on 11 November 1918.

Services were again disrupted during World War II. The final direct Paris–Istanbul journey took place on 27 May 1977. Regular services were fully discontinued in 2009 when the Strasbourg–Vienna route was closed.

Spies and Literary Journeys (Generated by Artificial Intelligence.)

Modern Era

In 1982 the Belmond company launched a nostalgic version of the train under the name Venice Simplon Orient Express using some of the original Orient Express carriages. Today these occasional journeys to Istanbul continue to preserve the original concept.

The train offers a bar car named “3674” special menus champagne tastings boutique shopping opportunities and comfortable cabins. The Istanbul–Paris journey lasts five nights with overnight stops and city tours arranged in Bucharest Sinaia and Budapest.

2025 Journeys

The Venice Simplon Orient Express visited Türkiye twice in 2025. The first journey took place between 4 and 6 June. The second journey entered Türkiye through Kapıkule and arrived in Istanbul on 1 October. The train reached Türkiye via Germany Austria Hungary Romania and Bulgaria.

The journey included 71 passengers and 40 staff across 16 carriages. Stops were made in Budapest the Peleș Castle in Sinaia Bucharest and Varna. Some passengers who arrived in Istanbul returned by air while a new group joined the Istanbul–Paris service.