Luxury Train Launch: Rome to Istanbul Orient Express

Between Rome and Istanbul, a new luxury railway route is being launched — “La Dolce Vita Orient Express”, inspired by the legendary historic “Orient Express”.

According to Euronews, the first journey of the new train will take place on October 22. The route will connect the capital of Italy with Turkey and will symbolize the revival of classic railway tourism in an ultra-luxury format.

A legendary journey in a new format

The “La Dolce Vita Orient Express” project is a Franco-Italian initiative that brings back the atmosphere of historic travel with a modern level of comfort. The train is designed for a five-day journey across Europe with a final stop in Istanbul.

The idea of the route references the original “Orient Express”, which more than 140 years ago became a symbol of luxury, adventure, and European elegance.

Route and stops

• Departure: Rome
• First stop: Venice
• The route continues through Hungary and Romania
• Final destination: Istanbul

Passengers begin their journey in a special Orient Express lounge at Rome Ostiense station, where they are welcomed with live music and gourmet refreshments.

A luxury experience for passengers

After boarding, guests are accommodated in exclusive cabins. On board, fine dining is offered, including menus created by Michelin-star chefs.

The train journey lasts around five days and passes through some of the most scenic routes in Europe.

After the stop in Venice, the train continues through Central and Eastern Europe, offering passengers a unique cultural and visual experience.

Ticket prices

The journey starts from €20,000 per person (approximately 1 million Turkish lira).

This makes it one of the most expensive and exclusive experiences in luxury rail tourism worldwide.

A new trend in elite tourism

Experts note that the launch of the Rome–Istanbul route reflects the growing interest in slow and premium tourism, where the journey itself becomes more important than the destination.

“La Dolce Vita Orient Express” is positioned not just as transportation, but as a full cultural and gastronomic experience.