New luxury sleeper train will take you from Rome to Istanbul – with an eyewatering cabin fee

TravelLifestyle
21 May 2026 • 9:58 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

New luxury sleeper train will take you from Rome to Istanbul – with an eyewatering cabin fee

  • A new luxury rail journey, inspired by the original Orient Express, is launching this autumn, travelling from Rome to Istanbul.
  • The five-day, four-night trip, operated by Accor's La Dolce Vita Orient Express, is scheduled to depart on 22 October.
  • The route includes stops in Venice, Budapest, and through the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, before reaching Istanbul.
  • Onboard, the train features 31 cabins, including deluxe cabins and suites, with interiors designed by Dimorestudio in a 1960s Italian style.
  • Prices for the journey start from €34,000 (£29,000) for single occupancy, with top suites costing over £47,000 for two people, and include meals by a three-Michelin-starred chef.

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