Orient-Express, Royal Scotsman, Trans-Siberian... The mere mention of these names is enough to transport us into the imagination of great rail journeys.
That of long time, steam locomotives, refined service and sleeping cars with decoration embellished with woodwork, gilding and precious fabrics.
On the scale of a region, a country or a continent, for one night, a few days or even a week, several dozen exceptional trains throughout the world perpetuate this mythology of railway, like the
Rovos Rail
in South Africa, the
Eastern & Oriental Express
between Thailand and Singapore or the
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
between Paris and Venice.
If environmental concerns are encouraging more and more people to favor the train over the plane, "
ecology is not the primary concern of customers who book a rail cruise
," says Laure Jacquet, director of Discovery Trains, a French specialist. rail travel.
Nevertheless, the trend of
slow travel
could seduce new travelers in search of more contemplative tourism.
For customers, mainly retirees, such a rail getaway is an opportunity to "
live a unique experience, out of time, which should not be like any other journey
".
Read alsoGo far away, pollute less: nine beautiful trips that play the slow tourism card
An ultra-confidential market
The Orient Silk Road Express crosses several countries in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc.) along the ancient Silk Road.
Roland Jung
To take these legendary trains, you have to pay the price.
For a night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express or a week's cruise aboard the
Al Ándalus
(in Andalusia, Spain), you need to count at least €5,000 per person.
Rates that change according to the comfort of the cabin or the number of stages.
"
Let's keep in mind that the luxury train is an ultra-confidential market, unlike sea and river cruises which offer greater diversity in terms of price, comfort and itineraries
", explains Lionel Rabiet, director of Voyages d'exception (formerly World Cruises).
Places are therefore expensive, in both senses of the word.
Prestigious trains only accommodate about fifty passengers with only a few departures per month, they are quickly full and require you to anticipate at least a year in advance.
And available tickets are even scarcer after two years of the pandemic.
The two agencies are indeed observing a phenomenon of massive postponement of stays that could not take place in 2020 and 2021. “
The desire to travel is
stronger than ever
, and with the savings made during the pandemic, some travelers won't hesitate to make up for it by treating themselves to a stay in a luxury train
,” says Lionel Rabiet.
"
If you are planning a rail cruise in 2023, regardless of the destination, now is the time to book
,” recommends Laure Jacquet.
Read alsoAfter two years of forced stop, the world tours are finally starting again
Among the routes traditionally most in demand in Europe, the Trans-
Siberian
saw an "
exceptional
" booking rate in 2021 for the year 2022, according to Discovery Train, which now includes Russia specialist Tsar Voyages.
But the geopolitical context in Russia makes this circuit impracticable... The
Orient Silk Road Express
, a train taking the Silk Road in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan...), is an alternative to the Trans-Siberian, with a equivalent length and travel time.
A circuit that Voyages d'exception has just added to its catalog ("The legendary Silk Road", departure in October 2022).
Read alsoFrom Madrid to Warsaw, these 15 European destinations are accessible by train
New actors in ambush
One of the suites of the future Orient-Express Dolce Vita train which will be launched in 2023 by the Accor group.
Rendering Orient Express La Dolce Vita by Dimorestudio
Despite the expected arrival of new players, "
supply remains and will always remain below demand
", warns Lionel Rabiet.
In 2023, the Puy du Fou intends to launch "
Le Grand Tour"
, a six-day and 4000 km itinerary "
to discover the splendors of France
", with shows on board.
Ticket price: €4900 per person.
Also in 2023, the Accor hotel group, in partnership with the Italian national company Trenitalia, wants to resuscitate the myth of the Orient-Express by launching the
Dolce Vita
on Italian rails (price not communicated).
"
An innovative concept insofar as it breaks with the theme of the 1920s, common in most luxury trains, in favor of the Italian way of life of the 1960s
”, emphasizes Laure Jacquet.
Read alsoItaly by train: spectacular routes from Tuscany to Calabria
For its part,
Midnight Trains
aims to circulate its “hotels by rail” from 2024 to around ten destinations departing from Paris.
If the young French company poses above all as a competitor of the plane rather than as an operator of luxury trains, it will take up the codes with the development of a restaurant car, a cocktail bar and cabins rooms with different categories of comfort.
The Paris-Venice and Paris-Barcelona routes are planned for 2024, before the network extends to other European destinations such as Edinburgh, Rome and Copenhagen.
If they cannot find a place or have a sufficient budget, travelers have alternatives to exceptional trains.
“
The mythical routes can still be taken with the regular commercial trains of the national companies
”, recalls Laure Jacquet.
For example, the Orient-Express train between Paris and Istanbul can be completed in two or three days by taking the new Paris-Vienna night train, then continuing on to Budapest and Belgrade.
Less expensive and less comfortable, no doubt.
But just as poetic.
