The ultra-luxurious La Dolce Vita train is taking travellers from Rome to Istanbul this October from €20,000 per passenger.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the new luxury train that rolled out in Italy in the spring of 2025, will head abroad for the very first time this autumn. Following in the tracks of the original Orient Express, the train will head to Istanbul, Turkey, this October, giving travelers a chance to journey from west to east in spectacular fashion.
The first Orient Express famously set off on its maiden voyage in October 1883, traveling from Paris to Istanbul (then Constantinople) over three days. More than 140 years on, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express makes that same journey twice a year. La Dolce Vita will take a slightly different route, but will still wind up in the same Turkish city. The train will travel from Rome through Venice, Budapest, the Carpathian Mountains, and onwards to Istanbul, following a path that has long connected Europe and the East.
The five-day adventure will kick off in the lavish Orient Express lounge at Roma Ostiense station, with guests enjoying aperitivo, light bites, and live music, before boarding the train for an evening departure. The fun continues in the carriages.
Considered “Italy’s first luxury train,” La Dolce Vita combines midcentury Italian glamour with the finest modern luxuries. The bar car slings top-notch cocktails and wine with a side of live entertainment, while the dining car serves up dishes conceived by Michelin three-star chef Heinz Beck. The respective menus are customized to each destination and designed to showcase the best local produce.
To ensure you live the good life, the 12 carriages host no more than 62 passengers at a time, resulting in a relatively intimate travel experience. Accommodation includes 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites, and one suitably flash La Dolce Vita Suite. Designed by Milanese firm Dimore studio, the cabins and suites are inspired by the elegance of 1960s Italy and pair bold hues with sumptuous materials.
Throughout the journey, the ever-changing landscape can be taken in from the comfort of the carriage. Guests will also have the chance to step off the train to explore the canals of Venice, walk the vibrant streets of Budapest, or visit the charming squares of Brașov. In addition, curated experiences along the route will offer privileged access to different cultures and locations, according to Orient Express.
Rates for the one-way journey from Rome to Istanbul start at €20,000 per passenger.
