The historic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express entered Türkiye on its second trip to Istanbul this year after departing from Paris on 25 September.
The luxury train, operated by British-based Belmond, travelled through Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria before entering Türkiye through Kapikule with more than 70 passengers.
Due to renovation work at Kapikule railway station, the train continued to Edirne station, where passengers and crew underwent passport procedures before continuing toward Istanbul.
Train official Francesco Bonotto said the journey included overnight stays in Budapest, Bucharest and Varna, adding that many passengers planned to spend several days in Türkiye.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is known for recreating the historic luxury rail experience associated with the famous Orient Express route, which also inspired Agatha Christie’s novel “Murder on the Orient Express.”
Here’s how the train passes through Békéscsaba, Hungary:
Passenger Janan Benabud said returning to Türkiye felt like coming home because of memories from the period when her father served as Morocco’s ambassador to Ankara. She said she planned to visit several landmarks in Istanbul.
Another passenger, Tansel Dogan, who lives in Germany, said the journey was a birthday gift from her husband and described travelling through seven countries and seeing four capitals aboard the historic train as a special experience.
After passport procedures in Edirne, the train continued toward Istanbul. It is scheduled to begin its return journey and arrive back in Paris on 2 October.
Earlier this year, we wrote about the 2026 trip of the Orient Express to Hungary: Luxury train Orient Express is coming to Budapest in 2026
And here’s how the Orient Express passed through Győr, Hungary:
