The Journal
A Tale of Two Legends: Palace on Wheels vs the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Legends of the rails
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the Palace on Wheels are two of the most romantic names in rail travel — but they belong to different worlds.
History and setting
The VSOE, operated by Belmond, is formed of lovingly restored 1920s Wagons-Lits carriages and revived the classic European route in 1982 — most famously London–Paris–Venice. The Palace on Wheels, launched the same year, recreates the private saloons of India's Maharajas on a seven-night circuit of Rajasthan.
The experience
The Orient-Express is chiefly about the train, the glamour and the black-tie dining across one or two nights; historic cabins are compact, and some grand suites now add en-suite bathrooms. The Palace on Wheels is a week-long cultural journey — every cabin en-suite and air-conditioned — with daily guided excursions to forts, palaces and the Taj Mahal.
Which to choose?
Choose the Palace on Wheels for an immersive week of royal India at remarkable value; choose the VSOE for a short, dazzling slice of European belle-époque romance. Ready for India? See fares and departures.