The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a train by Belmond, offering journeys since 1982. Belmond is owned and operated by LVMH.
Meanwhile, L’Orient Express is a train run by Orient Express, owned and operated by Accor Group, set to arrive in 2027.
Key Differences Between L'Orient Express vs Venice Simplon Orient Express
The L’Orient Express and Venice Simplon Orient Express share a fair few similarities. Their inspiration taken from the original Orient Express journey which ran in 1883 to 2009; the glamour and luxury offered by both journeys; and of course, the similarities in their namesakes.
Since the announcement of the L’Orient Express journey, confusion between these two journeys has become more apparent.
Let’s clarify their differences and explore each train’s operational differences alongside the separate stories each of them tells.
Owners And Operators
Who owns and operates the Venice Simplon Orient Express? Who owns and operates L’Orient Express?
Venice Simplon Orient Express – Belmond & LVMH
As mentioned previously, the Venice Simplon Orient Express is owned by Belmond, which is a subsidiary company under LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE).
Belmond is known for their collection of luxury travel experiences under their arsenal and operates various other world-famous luxury trains such as the Eastern & Oriental, which travels Southeast Asia and its rich cultural and culinary landscape; the Royal Scotsman, where passengers are taken across the sprawling Scottish Highlands in exciting excursions; the British Pullman, hosting lunches and murder mysteries on a Wes Anderson inspired train as it takes the tracks through the English countryside; and many more equally luxurious, lavish, and invigorating journeys around the world.
Beyond trains, Belmond hosts a range of other travel experiences such as cruises, hotels, and lodges. They're a very established company, first known as ‘Orient Express Hotels’ with their acquisition of Hotel Chipriani in 1976, and after, the Venice Simplon Orient Express, which took its first journey on the 25th May, 1982. On March 10th, 2014, they officially became ‘Belmond’.
Since its maiden-journey in 1982, the train has been running journeys across Europe for 44 years, upholding a legacy of luxury and recapturing the Golden Age of Travel.
L’Orient Express – Orient Express & Accor
L’Orient Express is a train by the company, Orient Express, which is owned by parent company, Accor Group.
Orient Express is another luxury travel company, first revealed in 2017 with a collection of 6 pieces inspired by the storied history of the original Orient Express of Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. An artistic and modern take on travel objects.
Since 2017, growth has been exponential for Orient Express. They’ve established several luxury journeys and experiences, from sailing yachts, hotels, tours, and their very first train journey, La Dolce Vita which travels from Rome to Istanbul in an enchanting love letter to Italy.
L’Orient Express is a highly anticipated journey that has not yet made its first voyage, but is set to take the rails in 2027.
The Trains
The trains themselves, while both embodying lavish-living and the glamour of travel, hold very different visual identities and ethos in design. Both trains are strongly inspired by French styles and artisans such as René Lalique Haviland and art deco.
Whilst the Venice Simplon-Orient Express takes a more classic take, working to restore and build on the original carriages, L’Orient Express focuses on maintaining the spirit of the original journey but with a modern and contemporary take on design – more focused on an evolution rather than the most faithful recreation.
Venice Simplon Orient Express – Belmond & LVMH
This journey by Belmond has undergone several redesigns and has met the hand of several master artisans, bringing passengers a beautifully restored and maintained vintage train.
The basis of the train is built up from authentic restored carriages from the 1920s. In total, the accommodation onboard is composed of 1 ‘L'Observatoire’, 6 Grand Suites, 16 Suites, and 32 Historic Cabins. An additional 4 more cars can be found onboard, 3 restaurant cars and 1 bar car.
L’Orient Express – Orient Express & Accor
Behind L’Orient Express is the Artistic Director of Orient Express, Maxime d’Angeac. 17 original Orient Express cars, brilliantly restored with exceptional decor.
It’s a reimagining of the original ‘Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express’ rather than a faithful recreation, focusing on contemporary convenience and design, blended with the essence and spirit of the original journey.
The carriages were available to be seen in Musée des Arts Décoratifs in a special exhibition during October 22nd 2025 to April 26th 2026.
Life Onboard
Venice Simplon Orient Express – Belmond & LVMH
Life aboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express follows several French principles of living. With le goûter served in the afternoon and a menu curated by Michelin-starred chef, Jean Imbert, using the freshest seasonal ingredients and classical French techniques.
By day, expect exciting excursions and outings from expert local guides, return onboard and spend the evening waking hours jubilantly with live music onboard. Return to your suite or cabin onboard and fall in restful sleep as you pass European landscapes.
L’Orient Express – Orient Express & Accor
It’s hard to predict what life onboard will be like without L’Orient Express having taken its first journey on the rail tracks in 2027.
L’Orient Express promises contemporary luxury with clocks onboard are a subtle nod to the rhythm of life onboard, marking sections of time to the indulgent yet simple routine of “Coffee”, “Cocktail”, “Breakfast”, “Lunch”, “Aperitif”, and “Dinner”.
However, we can look to Orient Express’ other train journey, La Dolce Vita, and anticipate opulence aboard L’Orient Express. Think Michelin-level gastronomy, beautiful landscapes and explorations of cities along the route, as well as vivid and elegant evening-entertainment aboard L’Orient Express.
The Routes
Venice Simplon Orient Express – Belmond & LVMH
The Venice Simplon Orient Express has many routes across Europe that passengers can take. Though their most legendary and iconic journey is their Paris to Istanbul and Istanbul to Paris journey, which is an homage to the original Orient Express journey. These journeys are only available twice a year, starting in either Paris or Istanbul.
For the Paris to Istanbul journey, this route is most reminiscent of the original iterations of the Orient Express and the Simplon Orient Express, starting in Paris, the train heads east, passing through Germany and Austria before stopping in Budapest for 2 days before continuing into Romania and stopping in Sinaia. Then begins the final leg of the journey to Istanbul where the journey ends.
The Istanbul to Paris journey begins in Istanbul, then to Bucharest and Sinaia in Romania. Passengers say goodbye to Romania as the journey continues on where they stop in Budapest, Hungary before finishing the journey in Paris.
L’Orient Express – Orient Express & Accor
As of now, no official route for L’Orient Express has been announced. We can speculate that the journey will take a route inspired by the Orient Express, but for now, it remains unclear how the voyage will unravel.
For the latest news about L’Orient Express you don’t have to keep track of press releases and announcements by yourself. When dates, routes, and details are available, you can hear the news from us first or consult our expert concierge team at LuxuryTrainTickets who will happily help you or to answer any inquiries. Register your interest for L’Orient Express to be one of the first to book this highly-anticipated luxury journey.
