orient-express.com

Advantages: Too numerous to mention - see opinion
Disadvantages: Price possibly?

Take a trip on the Orient Express and you will find that this really is the golden age of rail travel. My partner and I had always wanted to travel on this famous train and he decided to treat us both as part of his 30th birthday celebrations. We chose to take a day trip to Bath from Victoria Station in London. You can choose from many different trips to cities, stately homes, events such as the Grand National and day trips or weekends breaks. We ...
...for the Orient Express. We were given seat numbers and our carriage name – yes each carriage has it’s own identity. Our itinerary had instructed us that ‘smart day wear’ was appropriate remembering that we would be outdoors for some of the time in Bath. When the train arrived at the station it was a majestic sight, as we were really lucky to be on one of the steam hauled excursions. We found our carriage and embarked. It ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent food in a romantic atmosphere
Disadvantages: Expensive perhaps

Telephone: 0878 1615060 Last June my wife and I spent a very enjoyable afternoon on the Orient Express. The trip, costing approximately £400 for two people, buys you a "Movable Feast", a five-course meal and a five hour train ride through the Kent countryside. The journey will depend on where you join the train. The Orient Express runs journeys all over the UK main land and a small number of continental destinations are also available (these would ...
...of being “pulled” by a diesel locomotive or Steam Engine, although this will cost more. Our day started at about 11.30 a.m. when we embarked at Victoria Station. We were shown to our seats on a particular carriage that was a work of art straight out of an Agatha Christie novel. You sit at individual tables seated in comfortable armchairs. Each carriage has a different name and a different marquatry design interior. Each carriage offers ... Read review

Advantages: Unique experience
Disadvantages: Uncomfortable and expensive

My husband, myself and two friends made the journey to Venice from Waterloo. We reserved adjoining compartments. The check-in was flawless but remember to take on to the train the bag containing the clothes, toiletries etc that you will need for the journey. The Pullman experience from Waterloo to the Channel Tunnel was excellent. The staff were professional, camp and fun. The food and drink were wonderful I think I enjoyed this part of the journey ...
...French side required some repair so we were taken to a "Travelodge-type" hotel whilst this was being dealt with. There was plenty of seating and soft drinks and snacks were provided foc. We were kept informed of progress. When we did join the Orient Express there was time for a photo opportunity before boarding the train. Tip: Visit the beautiful restaurant cars before dinner. The tables are laid out in readiness for diners and the Lalique glass ... Read review

Advantages: Lots to eat and drink
Disadvantages: Price, getting changed in the dark at 70mph

The Orient Express to Venice is described as the ultimate train journey - it is certainly that!. My wife janet & I went on the train last October and would describe it as an experience never to be repeated. It wasn't a good start, departure from Waterloo rather than Victoria because of engineering works and the facilities could only be described as basic. An hour late departing followed by a scenic tour of South London. However, the British Pullman ...
...complementary bottle of wine. At Ashford we transferred to coaches for Eurotunnel and onwards to Calais - 30 minutes in the tunnel, we were there before we noticed. Onto the Orient Express itself, when the fun really began - our cabin was just 5ft wide (you could touch both sides) and it was the traditional 1930's model - made in Smethwick. We ate and drank our way across Europe - Dinner, Breakfast in the cabin, lunch and afternoon tea. When we ... Read review

Advantages: Being treated (and feeling) like royalty
Disadvantages: Pricey

We were lucky enough to have a pair of tickets bought for us as a wedding present, on a day trip to Chatsworth House that incorporated a "murder mystery" on the train, setting off from Manchester at 9am. The food and drink was superb, with waiter service the whole time (plenty of wine and champagne), and the murder-mystery theme was great fun (with some of the actors since turning up as extras on various soaps!). Aside from the price, it's probably ...
...times - many of the other travellers seemed to be older and/or well-to-do types, and we weren't used to all the pampering and waiter service. Having said this though, something of this level of luxury is expected to be expensive; it's a once in a lifetime experience and I would thoroughly recommend it for that special occasion (hence giving this an "excellent" rating). I'm not sure if one of the normal "stay on the train" trips would be particularly ... Read review