ISTANBUL — The legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, widely celebrated as one of the most iconic and luxurious trains in Europe, is scheduled to complete its latest trans-continental journey and arrive in Istanbul on September 30, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced on Thursday. The arrival marks another significant milestone for international rail tourism connecting the heart of Europe with Türkiye’s historic metropolis, highlighting a growing appetite among global travelers for slow, heritage-rich journeys across international borders.
Minister Uraloğlu provided comprehensive details regarding the upcoming arrival during a statement outlining special passenger train services operating between various European hubs and Istanbul. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which is operated by the United Kingdom-based luxury hospitality company Belmond, famously traverses the historic Paris-Istanbul-Paris route, echoing the golden age of railway travel that captured the imaginations of novelists, adventurers, and diplomats for over a century.
According to the official schedule detailed by the Turkish transport ministry, the historic train is expected to pull into Bakırköy Station in Istanbul at 5:40 p.m., or 2:40 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time, on September 30. The arrival will crown an extensive and scenic voyage that begins in France and cuts across several nations. After departing from French territory, the train makes its way through Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, traversing diverse landscapes, rolling hills, and historic capitals before finally crossing into the transcontinental expanses of Türkiye.
The logistics surrounding the train’s arrival involve careful coordination between international rail operators and local Turkish authorities. Once the passengers disembark at Bakırköy Station to begin their immersive exploration of Istanbul, the train will not remain idle. Instead, it is scheduled to depart empty at 7:10 p.m. on the same evening, making a short repositioning journey to Halkalı Station. There, the luxury carriages will remain parked and secure for a duration of two nights while maintenance crews and railway personnel perform necessary technical and operational procedures to ensure the fleet remains in pristine condition.
Following the completion of these mandatory safety, technical, and operational checks, the train will travel back from Halkalı to Bakırköy Station to welcome its passengers back on board for the return journey westward. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is scheduled to depart from Istanbul at noon on October 2, officially leaving Turkish territory through the Kapıkule border crossing at 10:05 p.m., beginning its long journey back to Western Europe.
The upcoming autumn arrival follows an active season for luxury rail services entering the country. Minister Uraloğlu noted that the very first Orient Express service of the calendar year successfully entered Türkiye on May 30 and concluded its visit when it departed for Europe on June 1, setting a strong precedent for the remainder of the tourism and travel calendar.
Special Services Connecting Venice, Paris, and Rome to Istanbul
In addition to the world-renowned Belmond service, Minister Uraloğlu shed light on a broader network of special passenger train services that link iconic European cultural capitals directly to Istanbul. These specialized cross-border excursions offer discerning travelers unique opportunities to experience the romanticism of long-distance rail travel without sacrificing modern comforts or bespoke hospitality standards.
The specialized European rail tours are coordinated and operated by Hungary-based MAV Passenger Transport Co., which has established a robust schedule of international itineraries heading toward the Bosphorus. According to data provided by the transport ministry, a total of six distinct Hungarian special train services have been planned for the 2026 operational year, reflecting sustained demand for high-end railway tourism experiences that bridge Western Europe and southeastern Europe.
Highlighting the recent momentum of these programs, Minister Uraloğlu pointed to a recent arrival that underscores the active nature of the partnership. "The third Hungarian special train of the year departing from Venice arrived in Istanbul yesterday," he stated, emphasizing the steady cadence of luxury rail arrivals that have graced Turkish rail networks over the spring and summer months.
The seasonal timetable for these special services demonstrates a carefully orchestrated calendar designed to capture the peak European travel periods during the spring and autumn shoulder months, when weather conditions across the continent are most favorable for sightseeing and long-distance travel. The first of these MAV-operated services successfully ran the route from Venice to Istanbul between May 16 and May 18. This was swiftly followed by a second journey that connected the French capital of Paris to Istanbul, operating from May 29 to May 30.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the autumn season, Minister Uraloğlu confirmed that the special train services will continue well into October, offering travelers multiple opportunities to experience the legendary trans-European railway corridor during the vibrant autumn months.
According to the ministry’s itinerary, two separate special services originating in Paris will operate during the middle and latter parts of October. The first of these autumn departures from Paris to Istanbul is scheduled for October 10 to October 12, followed closely by a second departure operating from October 24 to October 25.
To cap off the autumn luxury rail schedule, a third major tour will shift its starting point to the Italian peninsula. A special service departing from Rome will travel all the way to Istanbul, operating from October 26 to October 31. This extensive journey will allow passengers to witness the changing autumn foliage across the Balkans and Eastern Europe before culminating in a grand arrival in Istanbul, further cementing the city’s status as a premier destination for luxury international railway journeys.