Travel

16 dramatic photos show what it's like to ride Europe's swankiest train — a once-in-a-lifetime journey with breathtaking views

Joey Hadden

2023-12-16T10:02:01Z

Left: A shiny, windowed, wooden train door leads to a carriage with blue carpets and seating. Right: A blue train with gold lettering moves in front of mountains with foliage on the left. — Business Insider's reporter captured a scenic route on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a luxury overnight train. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is one of the most luxurious overnight trains in the world.
I took the historic train from Paris to Venice in November.
I had constant views of stunning interiors, extravagant details, and passing scenery.

I recently traveled on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, one of the most luxurious trains in the world.

The luxury overnight train is comprised of nearly 100-year-old carriages from the iconic Orient Express fleet, and travels through Europe on 10 different routes with destinations from Italy to the Netherlands.

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For my trip on the train, from France to Italy with stops in Switzerland, naturally, I had to bring my camera.

From the moment I stepped onboard to the time I disembarked, I had stunning views, from the bar cart to my cabin window.

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Onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the dramatic views are nonstop.

A blue train with gold lettering moves in front of mountains with foliage on the left. — The Venice Simplon-Orient Express travels through Switzerland. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took the luxury train comprised of historic Orient Express carriages from Paris to Venice on a route through Switzerland and saw jaw-dropping scenery.

A green, filly field dotted with Swiss houses in front of a mountain of snow-topped trees and low clouds on the left — A landscape in Switzerland from the author's cabin window onboard the luxury train. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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The window in my cabin opened halfway, so I was able to get clear views of the environment around me.

A look out the window shows a forest from a train cabin — The train passes a forest on the route. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I saw the majestic Swiss Alps for the first time.

Snow-topped trees on a mountain with clouds rolling over — A close-up of snow-topped trees in the Swiss Alps. Joey Hadden/Insider

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As we passed small towns, I wondered what it would be like to live amid the epic mountain range.

Homes on a hilly field in front of a mountain — Homes beneath the Alps. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Every so often, the train stopped for 15-20 minutes, and I was able to step outside for a closer look at my surroundings.

A navy blue train with gold trimmings stopped at a platform with mountains in the background — The train stops in Switzerland. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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The sunrise views were particularly stunning.

A navy blue train on the left with a track overlooking a creek on the right — The train crosses a bridge during sunrise. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

As we entered Italy, the surrounding landscapes changed.

A blue train with gold lettering moves in front of mountains with foliage and houses on the left. — The train passes through Italy. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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While there were still mountains, the snow was gone, and the architecture shifted to more colorful homes.

foliage in front of colorful houses in front of a mountain — Houses in Italy, as seen from the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Throughout the trip, looking out the window felt as entertaining as watching TV — without the headache.

A blue moving train on the left and tall, grassy fields on the right — A view of the route from the cabin window. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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Even indoors, the views were dramatic. With a cohesive, art-deco design, the vibe felt formal from the moment I stepped onboard.

A shiny, windowed, wooden train door leads to a carriage with blue carpets and seating. — A corridor leads to the train's bar car. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The cabins and suites were marvelous. Every piece of furniture and decorative detail appeared to be thoughtfully planned out.

Inside a wood-walled train suite with white and navy blue furnishings, including a seat on the left, a couch on the right, and a bed in the back center. — A grand suite accommodation on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (the author did not stay in this cabin). Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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The service included big and small luxuries, like afternoon tea.

An aerial view of a hand pouring a silver pot of hot water into a teacup on a dark, brown wooden table. — The author pours afternoon tea served in her cabin. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The communal cars from the restaurants to the bar looked like they were designed in the 1920s.

Inside a luxury train's bar car with navy blue seating and curtains — Inside the luxury train's bar car. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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And at night, the bar car came to life. Musicians performed and passengers dressed to the nines. I felt like I was traveling back in time.

People dressed in black evening wear sit in blush, blue seats while drinking from champagne glasses — Guests gather and socialize in the bar car. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Read more: I spent an evening on the ultimate luxury train. It was so magical by night that I didn't want to go to sleep.

On my first luxury train ride, every detail felt dramatic.

A glass box displaying dishes on the left and a stained-glass window with an orange triangle in the middle behind a bouquet of white flowers and green leaves on the right — Decorative details in a communal train car. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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And I don't think I'll ever forget it.

The author stands on a platform in front of a navy blue train — The author prepares to board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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