Nearly a century after its golden age, the legendary Orient Express is preparing to glide back onto Europe’s rails. Scheduled to begin service in late 2026, with full journeys rolling out through 2027, this rebirth of the world’s most iconic train promises a return to the romance and nostalgia of travel with its luxury and craftmanship.
Seventeen original 1920s carriages — once lost to time — have been lovingly restored to their Art Deco glory. Marble inlays, Lalique glass, rich mahogany, and velvet upholstery evoke the glamour that once inspired Agatha Christie’s tales and captivated crowned heads, spies, and lovers alike.
Behind the project stands Accor’s Orient Express brand, blending old-world grace with modern comfort. Routes are expected to trace the train’s historic path between Paris, Venice, and Istanbul, inviting travellers to relive a story written in steam and starlight.
More than a train, the new Orient Express is a journey into memory — a reminder that true travel is not about arrival, but the art of being carried away.
Note that there will be two competing Orient Expresses as Venice Simplon Orient Express had already been taking guests from Paris to Istanbul once a year since 1998. This ‘duality’, most probably would have ignited the imagination of Agatha Christie, if she were with us today. The new Orient Express by Accor promises to offer a modern luxury blended with nostalgia compared to Simplon Orient Express dedicated to preserving the full heritage of the Orient Express experience.
There is a new an exhibition dedicated to the iconic Orient Express in Paris .
So if you happen to be a person who misses the elegance of belle epoque, the new Orient Express might be for you!
visit the magical train to the orient at orient-express.com.
