Ride the Iconic Orient Express From Paris to the Amalfi Coast

Quick Facts: Orient Express Paris to Amalfi Coast

• Next departures run June 2027, with bookings open now through Belmond after the inaugural May 2026 journey sold out.

• Prices start from €9,900 (around $11,500) per person, based on two people sharing a Historic Cabin.

• The trip lasts three nights, one aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and two at Caruso in Ravello.

• Meals, excursions, and transfers are included, covering dining onboard, a guided Pompeii visit, and travel between the train and hotel.

• The route crosses France and Italy, tracing the French and Italian Rivieras before reaching the Amalfi Coast.

• Guests stay at Caruso, an 11th-century palace hotel perched above the coastline in Ravello.

• Formal evening attire is required at dinner onboard, and jeans are not permitted at any time.

Photo Courtesy of Belmond, Photography Credit: Alice Mesguich

A Train That Was Never Just About Transportation

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has always lived in a category of its own. This is not a train you take because it is fast or practical. It is a train for people who enjoy the ritual of travel, who like dressing for dinner, and who understand that how you arrive somewhere shapes how the entire trip feels.

A brief note on the name, because it matters: the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is not the original, regularly scheduled Orient Express service of the early 20th century. Instead, it is Belmond’s modern luxury train, built around beautifully restored vintage carriages that preserve the atmosphere, craftsmanship, and style of that golden-age era.

Each carriage has been carefully restored to reflect the height of early 20th-century rail travel, with polished wood, Art Deco marquetry, warm lighting, and details that feel thoughtful rather than showy. Stepping onboard feels less like boarding a train and more like stepping into another rhythm of life, one where time slows down and expectations gently reset.

The new Paris to Amalfi Coast route fits naturally into that philosophy. Instead of treating the journey as something to power through, it allows the experience to unfold gradually. The train does not hurry south, and neither do the people on it. Scenery changes slowly outside the windows, and life onboard settles into an easy, reassuring pace.

Photo Courtesy of Belmond, Photography Credit: Alice Mesguich

What Life Looks Like On Board

Your day on the train is structured without feeling scheduled. Lunch is served in one of the historic dining cars, where white tablecloths, crystal glassware, and attentive service make the meal feel like an occasion without tipping into formality for its own sake. Menus take inspiration from the regions the train passes through, and the pacing is generous, with no sense of being hurried along to the next course or the next activity.

Photo Courtesy of Belmond, Photography Credit: Boby (left) & Pia Riverola (right)

Afternoon opens up in a way that feels increasingly rare while traveling. Some guests retreat to their cabins, where seating converts smoothly into beds as the day goes on. Others linger in shared spaces or claim a window seat to watch countryside slowly give way to coastline. There is time to read, to nap, to chat, or simply to sit and watch the world pass by.

Photo Courtesy of Belmond, Photography Credit: Ludovic Balay

The evening brings a subtle shift in energy. Dinner feels dressed up but relaxed, followed by drinks in Bar Car 3674, the social heart of the train, where live piano and easy conversation carry the night along.

Photo Courtesy of Belmond, Photography Credit: Ludovic Balay

Cabins, Suites, and What Sets Them Apart

Accommodation onboard ranges from Historic Cabins to Suites and Grand Suites, each offering a different level of space and privacy but the same attention to detail. Historic Cabins are compact and classic, with seating by day that converts into sleeping berths at night. Suites combine two cabins into a more spacious layout with a private sitting area and en-suite bathroom. Grand Suites go further, offering dedicated living space, marble bathrooms, and design themes inspired by European cities and landscapes.

Photo Courtesy of Belmond, Photography Credit: Alice Mesguich

Across every category, service remains warm, discreet, and consistent. Stewards are available around the clock, whether that means bringing morning coffee to your cabin, helping prepare the space for the evening, or delivering a cocktail while you get ready for dinner. It’s the kind of service that makes everything feel easy, without ever drawing attention to itself.

Arriving Already at Ease

One of the most appealing aspects of this journey is how seamlessly it transitions from train to destination. Rather than ending at the station, the experience continues on the Amalfi Coast, with guests arriving already relaxed and settled into the rhythm of the trip for two nights at Caruso, a Belmond Hotel in Ravello. The hotel occupies an 11th-century palace high above the Amalfi Coast.

Photo Courtesy of Belmond, Photography Credit: Salva Lopes

The pace established onboard carries through, with slow mornings, unhurried afternoons, and evenings centered on food, conversation, and views. The 2027 journey includes a private visit to Pompeii before guests continue to Caruso, where culinary experiences and time on the Amalfi Coast await.

Photo Courtesy of Belmond, Photography Credit: The World from a Window

A Familiar Train, Seen in a New Way

What makes this Paris-to-Amalfi Coast journey resonate is not novelty alone, but a broader shift toward travel that feels cohesive rather than packed with constant motion. The fact that Belmond is bringing the route back in 2027 after its inaugural 2026 journey suggests this approach is landing. It aligns with what many travelers are quietly seeking: time, atmosphere, and experiences that don’t feel overly managed.

Photo Courtesy of Belmond, Photography Credit: Coco Capitán

At its core, this route does not change what the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has always been. It simply places it in a new setting. The train remains a celebration of craftsmanship, attentive service, and slow movement through beautiful landscapes. Now that a second journey has been scheduled for 2027, the Paris-to-Amalfi Coast route is beginning to feel less like a one-time departure and more like a new tradition.

Main image credit: David Noton Photography

FAQ: Paris to the Amalfi Coast on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Is this a new route for the train?

The Paris-to-Amalfi Coast route debuted in May 2026. Belmond is bringing it back for a second journey in April 2027.

When does the next journey take place?

The next scheduled departure runs from April 22–25, 2027.

How much does the 2027 journey cost?

Belmond currently lists cabins from €10,900 ($11,500). Prices and availability may change.

How long is the experience overall?

The four-day, three-night experience combines one night aboard the train with two nights on the Amalfi Coast.

Where does the train travel?

The journey begins in Paris and continues to Pompeii. Guests then travel to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast.

Where do guests stay in Italy?

Guests stay at Caruso, a Belmond Hotel, for two nights. The hotel occupies an 11th-century palace overlooking the Amalfi Coast.

What is included onboard the train?


Meals onboard are included, including breakfast served in cabins and lunch and dinner in the dining cars.

Are drinks included?


A selection of beverages is served onboard, and additional bar orders may be available for purchase depending on the journey.

What are the cabins like?


Historic Cabins are compact and classic. Suites offer more space and an en-suite bathroom. Grand Suites include a living area, marble bathroom, and added privacy.

Is there Wi-Fi on board?


Yes. Wi-Fi is available in guest cabins, though service can be intermittent in rural areas. Guests are generally encouraged to keep phone and device use mainly to their cabin.

Is there a dress code?


Yes. Formal evening attire is required for dinner and smart daywear is expected during the day. Jeans are not permitted at any time.

Is the itinerary tightly scheduled?


No. The overall pace is intentionally relaxed, with plenty of unstructured time built in.

Is this suitable for first-time luxury train travelers?


Yes. While the train has strong traditions, the experience feels welcoming and comfortable rather than intimidating.