From 2027, the world’s most iconic train – the Orient Express – will once again connect Paris and Istanbul, reviving one of Europe’s most romantic and historic railway journeys. The project, led by the French hotel group Accor, involves the meticulous restoration of 17 original carriages from the 1920s and 1930s.This marks the train’s official return after a pause of nearly 15 years. The WP Times reports, citing BBC Travel and Reisereporter.
The Route of Kings: A Historic Connection Reborn
The Paris–Istanbul route was once the crown jewel of European rail travel. When the first Orient Express departed Gare de l’Est in 1883, it linked Paris to Constantinople (now Istanbul) via Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest and Sofia – a journey of almost 3,000 kilometres.
Built during an era of engineering innovation, the route crossed mountain ranges, rivers and borders, symbolising unity in a divided continent. For decades, diplomats, aristocrats and writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Graham Greenemade this six-day journey, which soon became synonymous with intrigue and sophistication.
The train also entered literary history through Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel Murder on the Orient Express, immortalising it as a cultural icon of elegance and mystery.
Restoration: Tradition Meets 21st-Century Luxury
Under the direction of French architect Maxime d’Angeac, 17 original carriages are currently being restored in France. Every detail reflects the spirit of the Art Deco era – mahogany panels, crystal lamps, inlaid marquetry and velvet seating – while incorporating modern comforts such as private bathrooms, digital controls and climate regulation.
The renewed train will feature:
- Luxury suites with bespoke furniture and marble bathrooms
- A presidential suite occupying an entire carriage
- An Art Deco cocktail bar and fine-dining restaurant
- A private lounge area for exclusive guests
Several restored interiors are already on display in Paris until April 2026, offering a preview of the reborn Orient Express.
Paris–Istanbul: The New Route for 2027
The revived route will retrace the historical journey through six countries: France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, before crossing into Turkey via Edirne and concluding at Istanbul’s historic Sirkeci Station.
Each leg of the journey will include cultural and culinary highlights, from Viennese coffeehouse concerts to Romanian wine tastings, turning the train itself into a travelling festival of European heritage.
| Route | Countries | Duration | Estimated Price | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris – Istanbul | France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey | 6 days | €6,000–15,000 | Orient Express by Accor |
Competition and New Luxury Projects
The revival sets up a direct rivalry between Accor’s Orient Express and the long-established Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), operated by Belmond since 1982, which offers routes between London, Paris and Venice.
While Belmond focuses on British elegance and bespoke dining, Accor’s vision is rooted in historical authenticity and cultural storytelling. The restored train aims to resurrect the true spirit of interwar travel – luxurious yet meaningful.
At the same time, Accor is expanding Orient Express into a global luxury ecosystem, uniting rail, hospitality and maritime travel:
- Orient Express Hotel Rome – opening 2025 in Palazzo Fonseca
- Orient Express Hotel Venice – opening 2026 on the Grand Canal
- Sailing yacht “Orient Express Corinthian” – launching 2026, the world’s largest hybrid sail yacht built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique
Together, these ventures transform the Orient Express into a multisector luxury brand, bridging design, travel and heritage – and reaffirming Accor’s ambition to make the name Orient Express synonymous once again with European refinement and French savoir-faire.
A Symbol of European Elegance Reimagined
The rebirth of the Orient Express in 2027 is far more than a nostalgic revival — it is a declaration that slow, sensual and sophisticated travel still has a place in the modern world. While air traffic has turned journeys into logistical necessity, the Orient Express seeks to restore the romance, ritual and rhythm of discovery that defined Europe’s golden age.
With its 6,000-kilometre route from Paris to Istanbul, the train will cross seven countries, countless languages and cultures — from the vineyards of Burgundy and the peaks of the Austrian Alps to the plains of Hungary and the Bosphorus shores. Each mile tells a story of art, diplomacy and invention that once made Europe the cradle of modern civilisation.
The train itself will function as a moving museum of design and craftsmanship: hand-carved marquetry, Lalique-inspired glass panels, brass fixtures and silk upholstery recreated by French artisans. Dining will echo the spirit of the 1920s, featuring regional tasting menus curated by Michelin-level chefs, while live jazz and piano recitals accompany the night’s passage through Europe.
As the restored Orient Express glides once more from Gare de l’Est in Paris to Sirkeci Station in Istanbul, it will not simply connect countries but bridge centuries — uniting the past and future of European travel. Its return is both a symbol of endurance and a tribute to beauty, culture and curiosity — values that transcend time, borders and technology.
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