Travel From Paris to the Amalfi Coast on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express 🚆

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

Days on the train are structured without feeling scheduled, with meals acting as gentle anchors rather than fixed points to race toward. 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)

Afternoons open 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

Evenings bring 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 a stay at Caruso in Ravello, 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. Cultural excursions, including visits to Pompeii, are available but never obligatory, making time spent simply enjoying the setting feel just as intentional.

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

A Familiar Train, Seen in a New Way

What makes this Paris to the 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 the inaugural departure sold out so quickly suggests this approach is landing, not because of hype, but because 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. And while this first journey may already be spoken for, the enthusiasm surrounding it suggests this may not be the last time it traces this path south.

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?


Yes. This is the first time the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has operated a journey from Paris to the Amalfi Coast.

When does the journey take place?


The inaugural departure runs in May 2026.

Is the first journey sold out?


Yes. The initial departure is fully booked.

How long is the experience overall?


It’s a multi-day itinerary that combines time onboard the train with time on the Amalfi Coast.

Where does the train travel?


The route runs from Paris through France and into Italy before guests continue on to the Amalfi Coast. Some itineraries include a visit to Pompeii.

Where do guests stay in Italy?


Guests stay at Caruso in Ravello, 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.