Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Luxury Train Travel Through Europe and India’s Connection

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a restored 1920s luxury train that runs from London to Venice, blending Art Deco elegance with gourmet dining and vintage rail charm. Also known as Orient Express, it’s not just transportation—it’s a time capsule on wheels that still draws travelers who want to move slowly, dress up, and savor every mile. You won’t find Wi-Fi on board, but you’ll find crystal glasses, silver service, and the quiet hum of wooden floors rocking under you as the Alps slip past the window.

This train doesn’t just exist in Europe—it lives in the same spirit as India’s own slow-travel traditions. Think of the Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan, or even the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, these journeys aren’t about getting from A to B. They’re about the tea served in fine china, the way your outfit changes from day to night, the stories shared over dinner with strangers who become friends. The Orient Express dress code, the unwritten rule that passengers wear elegant evening wear for dinner, even if they’re just traveling through France, mirrors the way Indian travelers dress for temple visits or heritage stays—respectful, intentional, a little ceremonial. You don’t need a ball gown on the Orient Express today, but you do need to show up with care. That’s the same energy you’ll find in Kerala’s backwater houseboats or Jaipur’s heritage hotels.

And it’s not just about style. The vintage luxury travel, a movement that values experience over speed, craftsmanship over convenience, and memory over checklist is something India understands deeply. Whether you’re sipping chai on a slow train through South India or watching the sun rise over the Taj Mahal from a private car, the rhythm is the same. You’re not rushing. You’re soaking. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and India’s best train journeys both ask you to leave your phone in your pocket and let the landscape tell you its story.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical takes on how to travel like this—not just on the Orient Express, but in India too. From what to wear on a luxury train, to how to pick the right moment for a slow journey, to how Indian travelers adapt these ideas at home. There’s no fluff. Just what works, what feels right, and why this kind of travel still matters today.