There are journeys taken to arrive, and others taken for the path itself. Rome–Istanbul belongs to the latter. For over a century, the name Orient Express was linked to Istanbul, at the edge of Europe. Since October 2026, the La Dolce Vita train has reconnected with this route: five days and four nights from Rome to the Bosphorus, via the Venetian Lagoon, the banks of the Danube, and the Carpathian Mountains. Here is the guide to this journey, and what it can offer to a wedding or a honeymoon.
In brief
- The train: La Dolce Vita Orient Express, decor by Dimorestudio, cuisine by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck.
- The journey: five days and four nights, from Rome to Istanbul, via Venice, Budapest, Brașov, and Sinaia.
- The return: a journey from Istanbul to Rome, via Sofia, Plovdiv, Vienna, and Venice.
- Departures: first departure on October 22, 2026; further departures are scheduled for 2027, notably in October.
- For your projects: a honeymoon, a wedding in Rome followed by a departure by train, or a journey to a wedding in Istanbul.
The return of a legendary route
Istanbul is the destination that forged the legend of the Orient Express. As early as the late 19th century, the train connected Western Europe to the city on the Bosphorus, the gateway to the Orient. Novelists, diplomats, and travelers from around the world turned this crossing into a myth. With La Dolce Vita, Orient Express returns to this route today, departing this time from Rome. Conceived in the spirit of 1960s Italy, the train leaves Italian borders for the first time for a grand European crossing. The first journey departed on October 22, 2026.
The day-by-day journey
- Day 1 · Rome. A private transfer takes travelers to the La Dolce Vita lounge at Rome Ostiense station, which opens its doors a few hours before departure. A drink, Italian music, then boarding. The train departs in the evening. First dinner signed by Heinz Beck in the dining car, followed by an evening in the bar car, with piano and song.
- Day 2 · Venice. Morning arrival. A private water taxi takes travelers to the heart of the city. The day is at leisure, or accompanied by a chosen experience: the lagoon by boat, or a more secret Venice. Return to the train in the late afternoon for dinner.
- Day 3 · Budapest. A full day in the Hungarian capital, between Buda and Pest, the banks of the Danube, the baths, and the grand cafés. Return to the train at the end of the day.
- Day 4 · Brașov and Sinaia. The train journeys through the Carpathians. Travelers discover Brașov, a medieval city in Transylvania, then rejoin the train in Sinaia, a mountain town of royal palaces, for an apéritif and a final grand dinner.
- Day 5 · Istanbul. Morning arrival, a final lunch on board, then a welcome by local hosts. The Bosphorus, the domes, the bazaars: the journey comes to an end where legend has always intended it to end.
The return journey: from Istanbul to Rome
Orient Express also offers the journey in the opposite direction, from Istanbul to Rome, over four nights. The itinerary changes, passing through other cities: Sofia and Plovdiv in Bulgaria, Vienna in Austria, then Venice before arriving in Rome. Two distinct journeys, for two ways to cross Europe.
On board: 1960s Italy
La Dolce Vita features twelve carriages and thirty-one cabins and suites, all with private bathrooms. The decor by Milanese studio Dimorestudio pays homage to Italian design from the 1950s to the 1970s: lacquered woodwork, deep velvets, brass details, geometric patterns. The cuisine is entrusted to Heinz Beck, chef of La Pergola in Rome, awarded three stars in the Michelin Guide. His dinners set the rhythm of the journey, accompanied each evening by live music.
Why this journey for your wedding plans
- A legendary honeymoon. Five days for two, from Rome to the Bosphorus. A suite, Michelin-starred dinners, a new city every morning. Then a few days in Istanbul, in a waterfront palace, before heading home. It is undoubtedly one of Europe's most beautiful honeymoons.
- A wedding in Rome, then departure. The wedding in Rome, for instance at Orient Express La Minerva, behind the Pantheon. The following day, the newlyweds and their closest loved ones embark at Ostiense for Istanbul. The wedding becomes a journey.
- A wedding in Istanbul. The closest guests travel to the wedding by train, from Rome. Upon arrival, a celebration on the Bosphorus, in an Ottoman palace or a waterfront yali. The journey is the first chapter of the celebration.
- A private group. La Dolce Vita can be privatized, in whole or in part, for weddings and celebrations. A circle of loved ones can thus experience the crossing together.
Combine with the other Orient Express venues
- Prior to departure: one or two nights at the Orient Express La Minerva, in Rome.
- In Venice: an extended stopover at Orient Express Venezia, at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli.
- Upon return: the sailing yacht Orient Express Corinthian, in the Mediterranean in summer or the Caribbean in winter.
What you need to know
- Dates: departures are rare, with only a few each year. They are booked well in advance, particularly the suites.
- Duration: five days and four nights on board. Plan a night in Rome prior to departure and a few nights in Istanbul upon arrival.
- Luggage: cabins have limited storage space. We organize the transport of trunks and evening attire.
- Attire: we dress for dinner. The wardrobe is part of the journey.
- Documentation: the journey spans several countries, including Turkey. Please check entry formalities according to your nationality.
- The civil wedding: for a celebration in Rome or Istanbul, preparations begin well in advance. Many couples choose to marry civilly at home, then celebrate with a symbolic ceremony.
Our Role
- Reserve: the finest cabins and suites, as soon as departures open.
- Curating the journey: the night in Rome, the stopovers, the arrival in Istanbul, the return.
- Planning the wedding: in Rome before departure or in Istanbul upon arrival.
- Preparing every detail: the wardrobe, the luggage, the transfers, onboard surprises.
- Preserving confidentiality: non-disclosure agreements, absolute discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long is the Rome–Istanbul journey? Five days and four nights aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express.
- Which cities does the train from Rome to Istanbul pass through? Through Venice, Budapest, then Brașov and Sinaia in Romania, before arriving in Istanbul.
- Does the journey exist in reverse? Yes. The journey from Istanbul to Rome passes through Sofia, Plovdiv, Vienna, and Venice.
- When does the Orient Express Rome–Istanbul train depart? The inaugural departure is set for October 22, 2026. Further departures are scheduled for 2027, notably in October.
- Which train makes the Rome–Istanbul journey? La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Orient Express's Italian train. This is not the historic Paris–Istanbul train, expected from 2027.
- Can you embark on a honeymoon from Rome to Istanbul? Yes, it is one of the most beautiful ways to experience this journey: just the two of you, in a suite, with a few days in Istanbul upon arrival.
- Can the train be privatized for a group? La Dolce Vita can be fully or partially privatized for a wedding or celebration. The conditions for the Rome–Istanbul journey are defined with Orient Express.
The journey rather than the destination
You can reach Istanbul in three hours by plane. You can also take five days, cross four countries, dine each evening in a different landscape, and arrive at the Bosphorus as one did in times past. That, at its core, is true luxury: choosing time. With all my elegance, Sandrine Arnould — Founder, Luxury Events Agency