Orient Express: Luxury Journey on Rails

Orient Express. Just the sound of the name evokes romantic images of exotic journeys to far-off lands and glamorous luxury travels.

For over 100 years, the opulent train has served as a means of travel primarily for affluent passengers. Among the most famous are Lawrence of Arabia and Marlene Dietrich. Agatha Christie was inspired by a trip on this luxury train for her most well-known novel 'Murder on the Orient Express'.

After the legendary train ceased operations in 2009, travel nostalgics were thrilled by the revival of the legend.

The historic coaches are rolling again, still exuding a unique charm and transporting passengers from Paris to Istanbul and other notable cities. However, rarely does the motto 'The journey is the destination' fit better than with the Orient Express. Here, you experience a special ambiance - luxury combined with nostalgia and adventure.

We present to you the most famous train in world history and show you why a trip on this elegant train is a travel experience like no other.

The story of the legendary train dates back to 1883. On June 5, curious Parisians gathered at Gare de l'Est to get their first glimpse of the long-anticipated luxury express.

Impressive from the outside, passengers were greeted inside by luxuriously furnished sleeping cars and dining cars.

Initially, the route, with some detours, led to what was then Constantinople, now Istanbul. In 1889, the direct connection from Paris to the Ottoman capital was inaugurated-a world first, as the nearly 3,000-kilometer journey was made in less than 80 hours for the first time in history.

The fascination with the Orient especially attracted numerous passengers to Istanbul in the 1920s. From here, many continued to even more far-flung destinations such as Aleppo or Baghdad. Additional routes followed.

Did you know? The king of trains was also a train for kings. Initially, only wealthy travelers could book a trip on this luxurious vehicle.

Soon, high-profile names appeared on the passenger list. Many celebrities, kings, and actors traveled on the famous Orient Express, including:

Did you know? The renowned train was immortalized not only in praises from traveling journalists. Agatha Christie, who incidentally met her later husband on this train, set the entire plot of her detective novel 'Murder on the Orient Express' on the namesake train.

It was later adapted into a film starring Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, and Sean Connery.

In Agatha Christie's novel 'Murder on the Orient Express', not only does the train derail, but the passengers also become involved in a gruesome crime. And the journey on the Orient Express was indeed not without danger.

In addition to incidents with other trains and derailing - during the most serious accident in Istanbul in 1957, a collision with a commuter train left 95 dead - kidnappings and robberies were also not uncommon. In 1891, three businessmen were kidnapped after a deliberate derailment of the train and were only released after a ransom payment of £800.

During the turbulent times after World War I, there were particularly severe incidents in Hungary. In 1931, the train bomber Sylvester Matuska, who was later also found guilty in other railway accidents, blew up a section of railway tracks from a bridge near Biatorbágy. The Orient Express fell from the bridge into the valley, killing 24 people.

Many spies, drug traffickers, black market dealers, and secret agents also used the train, which frequently led to smaller entanglements. To the best of knowledge, however, an actual murder has never occurred on the Orient Express.

History was indeed written in the historic carriages. Representatives of the German Empire signed the armistice treaty in 1918 in carriage number 2419, which was to mark the end of World War I.

The coaches of the Orient Express are a specialty, both today and back then. They impressed media and fellow travelers alike with modern furnishings and advanced technology.

Central heating, running hot water, and gas lighting were just part of the luxury that guests could expect on the Orient Express. The individual compartments were decorated with textile wallpapers, equipped with cozy mattresses and a variety of extras. This included silk sheets, Art Nouveau windows with mahogany wood, and private washrooms with marble fixtures.

Additionally, the compartments, which transformed into salons during the day, also featured exquisite cuisine, crystal glassware, and silver cutlery.

Did you know? The Orient Express has also been immortalized in other books and films. Even James Bond was a guest on the famous express in the agent film 'From Russia with Love'.

After the peak years of the train in the period between the world wars, World War II marked the end of the Orient Express.

In the 1950s, the train lost its allure in the face of new, faster modes of transport, from modern cars to airplanes. Additionally, the difficult border situations that caused regular disruptions in service ultimately led to the legendary train route's shutdown in 1977.

In the following years, the Orient Express traveled on different routes, with shrinking passenger numbers leading to the final discontinuation of the luxury train in 2009.

That this unique travel experience should not disappear forever was a concern for many. Private companies recognized the potential of the Orient Express. It was not surprising, therefore, that the company Belmond brought the legendary train back to the rails with renovated original coaches even before the end of the original Orient Express, under the name Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

With private compartments and personalized cabin stewards, splendid bar and dining cars featuring selected furnishings in a historic atmosphere, the new heritage cars certainly lack nothing in luxury.

Today, passengers enjoy this special comfort on routes between Venice and Paris or London. Other routes include Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Rome. Once a year, the luxury train also operates on its original route from Paris to Istanbul, which undoubtedly offers an extra dose of nostalgia.

The Pullman Orient Express is owned by the French state railway company. The seven historic carriages from the 1920s have been renovated and are partially listed as historic landmarks. However, rides on this historic train are now rare and typically only available during private events or special journeys.

New Arrival: With the Orient Express La Dolce Vita from the French hotel group Accor, additional travel highlights with the prestigious Orient Express are expected to be possible starting in 2023.

The destinations the La Dolce Vita Orient Express plans to visit remain partially a secret. However, it is confirmed that the 16,000 km route will travel along historically significant paths and notable locations in Italy. But it will also go international. The six restored trains, luxuriously decorated in the style of the 60s and 70s, are expected to connect not just Rome but also further destinations like Paris, Istanbul, and Split.

A journey on the historic luxury train would surely be a grand adventure for you as well. After all, the Orient Express is in no way comparable to today's more functionally furnished trains. Immerse yourself in the history and charm of this luxury train with elegant rooms, suites, culinary delights, and plenty of unique experiences. A trip on the Orient Express is a first-class train experience.