I Paid €12.000 For 1 Night On Orient Express: Is It Worth It?

It was a chance to step back in time, into the Golden Age of travel. From Florence to Paris in luxury,
onboard the Orient Express. The price is an eye-watering 12,000 euros for two. With all this history and all this hype, I just couldn't say no to my wife's dream.
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Follow my journey on instagram: / alexandertheguest
My name is Alexander. I’m the co-owner of a ONE Michelin star restaurant, and I’m on a mission - to find inspiration in gastronomy. I love fine dining, good wine and sharing what I know with other people.
Check out my restaurant:
/ 42restaurant
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Orient Express, alexander the guest, luxury sleeper train, venice simplon orient express

[@thewen]

that train delay is abysmal. for 12k euros, this looks disappointing

[@BobaPhettamine]

price doesn't seem right at all you can get 5 days in a grande suit for €14.256

[@2winceball]

Probably not the Trains fault. If any normal train get's delayed it too will get delayed!

[@dasutank]

For 12k euro I would expect staff where in the station to serve refreshments!

[@jeanvalero1597]

100% fro 12k I want a room three times as big and a michelin star worthy menu

[@2winceball]

@@jeanvalero1597 @dasutank Yea I agree!

[@paigelaliberte]

I have to comment that this has been my favorite luxury review of all time. For €12,000, standing waiting at the station for 90 minutes, food that was just okay, and a cabin that small, it is certainly not worth the cost. Many reviewers I’ve seen on the orient express seem to have been gifted a suite or other high level cabin and then do nothing but gush about the experience. This has been eye-opening to me and has changed how I view this train. Please keep it up!

[@zes3813]

wrrr

[@rockyhrndz]

Like you were actually going to ever buy a ticket! Get over yourself.

[@Flyxolydian91]

@@rockyhrndz Why not? Nothing here suggests that they can't buy one.

[@cinnamonraw9911]

@@rockyhrndzblimey: how rude can you be… oh that rude!

[@LeMagnifiqueDoubleAgent-cj4zo]

Are we sure he even actually took this trip?

[@adamg.manning6088]

I’m glad that despite the experience not living up to certain expectations, that you gave props to the people tasked with delivering the product.

[@zes3813]

wrgg

[@MrWAZZUPJoey]

Listening to Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing piano at the bar is worth every penny

[@joel29585]

Alexander - love how you always shout out the staff in your videos. I worked as a server for many years and it's a tough tough job, very unforgiving. I remember having to show up to work one time when I had food poisoning because the managers wouldn't let me request off - normally I was very good at my job and friendly too! But not that night, haha. I work a cushy corporate job now, but a part of me will always be a server. Love to see that you always have grace and appreciation for the industry folk

[@unvorbereitet]

alexander is a true gentleman

[@Coz131]

Does the work not have concept of sick leave?

[@szymonsuchy1636]

I love Alex for his positive attitude, if I were to pay 12k for this I would be more than very disappointed (I think that he was too),but the way he presents it with such a understanding is unreal to me. Great episode and shot out to the people from Orient Express, keep doing what you’re doing and always try to be better, if Alexander liked you why shouldn’t I😊

[@ioomimo9639]

He is a rich man. He does not care money.

[@he5078]

​@@ioomimo9639thats not how it works... rich people still understand the concept of value. 12k is way overpriced for the experience he got

[@decomposedcorpse5186]

Then why do all the rich take our money 🤣

[@jeohist]

I'm surprised you paid 12000 euro. Your Historic Cabin from Florence to Paris is available for around 8000 euro for two passengers already. Maybe have a chat with your travel agent (also about compensation for the delay, I know Orient Express is very lenient with their customer service).

[@connor1586]

Nice catch, but even at €8,000 it still feels like a gyp.

[@user-ji9mr6oy9j]

Beverages are not included, and if you know Alexander he loves his champagne 🤣

[@authorized3386]

@@connor1586I mean if you compare it to a first class plane ticket going that distance it’s worth jt

[@gilbydog7350]

I'm pretty sure the VSOE uses dynamic pricing for reservations, so the E8,000 price could increase if you booked a popular trip last minute. In addition I noticed he paid for the extra Breakfast in the Dining Car. I can't remember the exact price, but let's say it was an additional E120 each. It's not cheap. They could have also had Caviar at lunch or dinner which is around E650 per person per meal. He and his wife had a E600 bottle of wine for lunch. You can see the price in the Wine Menu of the Grand Cru they ordered. I also saw the Krug being poured. Krug and several drinks - he said he was in the Bar Car until the Early hours - would add up. Plus tips or Service Charges. I can see how he could easily have got up to E12,000.

[@marllram]

​@@gilbydog7350 I also think why vsoe maintained the mostly small cabin size throughout the years not only for more passenger capacity, but to add profit from the bar. Who'd stay at that cramped cabin? People would inadvertently come to the bar, and spend some there. Great business for them, but sucks for the passengers.

[@chadmolenaar1]

That’s a great review, well done Alexander. I love the comparison between the two travel types and of course, your patience for the newbies and praising the REAL people who actually made your journey better!

[@LeMagnifiqueDoubleAgent-cj4zo]

Are you sure he even actually took the trip?

[@Joechipp]

Great video, no filler, straight to the point and excellent editing. You are quickly becoming one of my favorite channels.

[@uly1981]

love the honesty, instant subscribe. so fed up with all the luxury "reviewers" who, probably because they are comped a lot, barely mention the negatives. in this pricing range, perfection is to be expected and anything less needs to be called out.

[@LeMagnifiqueDoubleAgent-cj4zo]

Just make sure he actually took the trip or ate in the restaurant before you get too excited about the review

[@Sparkatze]

@@LeMagnifiqueDoubleAgent-cj4zo What do you mean? :D Do you think he greenscreened himself into that scenario?

[@LeMagnifiqueDoubleAgent-cj4zo]

@@Sparkatze, I don’t know about the train specifically (which is why I’m saying try to make sure you know before believing it). However, I do know that on at least two occasions that I have personally confirmed that he did not eat at the restaurant or manipulated the video of himself eating at the restaurant, so I am skeptical of all of them now.

[@petatrethewy2695]

l went from London to Venice on the Orient Express a few years ago. Had exactly the same type of cabin as you, but had it to myself. The food wasn't the best l've ever had, but well presented by kind and helpful staff. The piano bar was great and going across the lagoon into Venice was spectacular. Then travelling by boat to our super hotel. Your journey seemed very expensive. Our trip included the train, Venice, Florence, Pisa and other parts of Tuscany and lasted two weeks and was considerably less than £5000. Great memories.

[@gilbydog7350]

Pre-pandemic the VSOE was definitely less expensive.

[@bunbunny8851]

These videos have amazing editing, like it's documentary levels of good. Love the review and how honest you are about your experience.

[@saikumarmani8842]

Great to see you move into other luxury reviews. I would say trying the First Class Suite on the Symphony of Seas and the Alice in Wonderland restaurant should be on your agenda. Also the Palace on wheels in India

[@christinebeames712]

The Alice in wonderland Restaurant is fantastic,and the first class suites are floating apartments ,

[@MFJoneser]

cool ad / fake comment!

[@omarvi280]

Dont forget south african Blue Train or Rovos Rail.

[@M_Sonata]

Love that you are always finding creative ways to shoot different experiences outside of restaurants. Awesome review!

[@123hattan]

I don't know, for 12k, I would expect much better. I like your humility, Alexander.

[@maidsincadiz]

Your channel is a bucket list 😊 keep at it, it’s highly appreciated.

[@SD-Maxi]

Alex, you rock man. Chapeau. You always present with a positive energy, even when the experience was obviously a disappointment, making your videos always a pleasure regardless of the outcome. I could not do better myself.

[@123hattan]

5:28 I have never felt so much pain from such a simple sentence.

[@thecrib8]

Been dying for you to do this one, Alexander. haven't watched it yet but I know it's going to be one of my favorite ones! Watching now...

[@flashladderacrobat]

For 12,000.- euros this is unaceptable, I would drink Krug all night and into breakfast. 🤣

[@l.d.t.6327]

His Krug and Montrachet made the bill go over 10.000 euro...Without his champagne addiction, he would have stayed well below.

[@Bragglord]

​@@l.d.t.6327 Yeah, the price tag on the pic doesn't paint an accurate picture at all. I guess Alexander was really ticked off at the initial wait or something? If you can bring yourself not to pay out thousands on champagne then you should get it for less than half the shown price.

[@CnMinus1432]

Thank you for your efforts in documenting and reviewing these places (especially the restaurants of course), so we can all see them for ourselves! Some of them get me curious and excited, others seem overblown and unnecessary for my taste. Most importantly, you as the show host and reveiwer seem to maintain a critical eye free of luxury blindness. All the reviews I have seen so far appear to be utterly fair assessments. Salutations from Sweden!

[@theordinaryperson]

Paris is so romantic!!! Paris in real life:

[@AJBTemplar]

Very nice, calm review. We too have been on the OE and were underwhelmed. It's nice, it's stylish and it is hugely overpriced for what you paid, though we paid very considerably less. The food reminded me presentationally of the type of thing high end restaurants were doing in the 1980s.

[@surft]

Love that you reviewed this. I have to say my wish to go on the Orient one day was tapered by your findings. lol. Wish you could explore Viking Antartica Cruises as well. I hear it's a great experience and another one of my dreams to experience.

[@matteoclaeskens]

The water on the eggs will be because they used peper and salt way too soon. It makes the eggs watery. Normally for scrambled eggs, you add the spices at the end.

[@hoozentroger]

Good info! Thx!

[@exitoz1396]

Pepper is fine, it's the salt that drags out the moisture from the eggs

[@tictocbang7443]

I used to take that train route regularly. $150 and quite happy with the food I brought myself.

[@jeanchollet8240]

Very nice video, and honestly it seems to be the reflection of so many other people's experiences. Alas, if you want to experience a truly remarkable train journey I can not recommend enough times the journey proposed by Rovos Rails that spans from Cape Town to Dar-Es-Salaam. An truly magical experience spanning two weeks that takes you through a myriad of landscapes for a price, albeit expensive, yet relatively inexpensive compared to the duration and to that of the Orient Express.

[@user-rr1zt5go4q]

Happy new year , Alexander , to you and your family ! Wow ! You take most of us into places we can only dream of ! Well, looks like the Orient Express only comes alive when there's a mysterious murder . Thank God for the bar ! That's where all the best people hang out - including the murderer . Anyway. If you change your mind about not going back , make sure Monsieur Poirot is on the train . We can't have the world's greatest food critic and guide go missing like Agatha Christie . Thanks for another fine video !

[@debracarlson9]

I waited too long for this next video. love this channel.

[@PiotrMys]

Thanks for the honesty. Great review!

[@Talittli]

Even though you can’t expect that much quality of food in a NORMAL train, that doesn’t count for this 12.000 train ride. It has to be perfect. There are so many train rides that do provide a lot better quality for a quarter of the price.

[@michaelsaayman2802]

You can take a 3 day 2 nights on both Blue Train and Rovos rail in South Africa for half the price. That price includes a full cabin including a bath. Go check them out.

[@rubenguerra-leon602]

A very honest review. I was planning to book the OE from Venice to Paris but indeed for that kind of money I am not so sure anymore. Thanks, Ruben.

[@Obliviouse27]

i like your vids, you give good critism while not condemning stuff that are new. I enjoy the fairness yet your expirience .

[@Hiesfelder84]

I have seen quite some reviews of the train, focussing on the positive aspects. You were honest and criticised what needed to be criticised. Thank you

[@lao-ce8982]

Jó vidi Sanyi, csak így tovább!!

[@ilovemgs4]

You should review street food. Or at least non-fine dining restaurants. It'd be interesting to see your take on regular food

[@DavidBcc]

Many top restaurants openly flaunt serving “street food” dishes. Nothing beats generations of perfection to feed common people.

[@stefaniaorsi2503]

As a Murder on the Orient Express lover, I loved this review so much! Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

[@dhruvpanchal2117]

Hey Alexander, Big fan of your honest and rich content.

[@shadowfilm7980]

Love how your sport coat and turtleneck matched perfectly with your pocket square! To me that was better/most interesting than most of your experience on that train!

[@dariusus9870]

You love that? Or you like it?

[@robinwells5343]

I wouldnt let over an hour delay stand. Not for 12K euros. I would've gone absolutely nuts about it and demanded a lot in compensation. That's truely a disgrace for something held in such high regard

[@arnoldschonberg9598]

My friend, they use the same rails as all the other trains, there is no way for them not to be delayed other than having their own trainyard nearby and being parked there.

[@bablela26]

​@@arnoldschonberg9598uhm idk? Maybe instead of the passenger waiting for 1h, have the train wait 2h in the station? Unless they have a tight schedule? Then no they shouldn't have!

[@ecMathGeek]

@@arnoldschonberg9598 Even if it's unavoidable, it's still unacceptable for a 12k luxury experience. It's a bad business model if such a bad experience is an expected component of such an expensive package.

[@robertocalvo934]

I got no trouble with the hour delay, but there has to be a lounge. Having the passengers wait an hour on the platform for a room with no showers just doesn't cut it.

[@thecook8964]

If there was some reason for the delay, staff should have been there to explain, provide luxury snacks, drinks , etc.

[@blindnumber]

You are best Chanel for this hands DOWN.....very good

[@unl0ck998]

The honesty is always appreciated.

[@jonasryom3629]

February 2nd, 3rd and 4th El Bulli is reopening in Copenhagen in collaboration with Alchemist! You need to go!

[@bud4179]

Alexander you need to do a video about Emirates!! Great work as always

[@Rose-jr4tx]

This is not just a travel channel ....This is a cultural documentary that makes me appreciate our planet and I will support this channel till I'm an old woman. 👍👍👍

[@Maestro47]

I have a great suggestion. If you are pivoting to different experiences like this, (ie a travel mode with food), may I suggest a cruise ship ie Virgin Voyages. You could hire the Rockstar cabin and experience all the apparently highly rated restaurants inside it. They say that Virgin has the best food out of all the cruises so would be great to see your take on it. And best of all, they have Krug on board! :D

[@atthomsen]

Love the honest review yet still kept in a gentlemanish tone.

[@dariusus9870]

You love that? I appreciate it but love....

[@TKM11370]

I am a few mins in and would never spend that money on the OE.

[@MarjamKhan]

I appreciate your honesty, thank you!

[@MrBeatboxmasta]

I am glad I watched this video. I am so sick and tired of people praising food that is not top notch when top notch prices are being charged. They made me consider riding on that train. Thanks to you, I know I am better off saving my money for something that is actually worth that price tag.

[@gilbydog7350]

I agree, too many people don't know when the food is good and when it isn't. I think it's fairly likely with the VSOE that the food is pre-prepared and just heating onboard in the tiny galleys.

[@vwings01]

I like the subtle dig to Italy when the train was delayed..."You know that we are not in Japan anymore"

[@Kevin-ct3ht]

Love the channel, keep on doing what you are doing! Always thought about going on the Orient Express once, but think I will instead try the Japanese or Indian Luxury trains which seem to be a far superior experience.

[@fitzgeraldgerundio8123]

I feel like that's the strategy of Orient Express. They tend to do smaller cabins so that costumers will go to the bar and buy something😂 12k euros is just too much

[@gilbydog7350]

True, there is not a lot you can do in that tiny space. The small cabins mean that they can fit more passengers on each train too.

[@CasualPhysicsEnjoyer42]

thank you for doing this!

[@nornje]

Alexander is great. Chapeau 🙂

[@esheodincanal]

brilliant idea to scale beyond dining!

[@larry6682]

I love an honest review.

[@christines5684]

Would love to see your Emirates review!

[@Golu-xp9oq]

Dear Alexander, great video as usual, if youre on a hunt of luxurious trains, do hop on a journey aboard India's most luxurious train: The Maharaja's express. Do get a taste of warm Indian hosting alongside great taste of Indian delicasies and beautiful landscapes.

[@rationalbacon5872]

Or perhaps the Ghan across Australia?

[@marvinlinardi]

nobody cares about a country where 90% of it is basicly like a third world country

[@overman2306]

This is a great example of luxury 100 years ago versus luxury today.

[@DouglasJWalker]

What a great surprise. Thank you

[@londresderryaer7203]

You are so discerning, Mater Alex.

[@tominours]

The first time we took the Venice Simplon Orient Express with my wife... the train had 6h delay. But in compensation we got all drinks free + a new train ticket in a double cabin :) So check with your agency and ask for a gesture from customer service: they are the best.

[@aryahartalkar3669]

One more excellent video 🎉

[@Gcuso]

That looks amazing, I wish we had some sort of equivalent to it here in the U.S.

[@theordinaryperson]

Your antiquated, overpriced, and delayed trains in the U.S. are a pretty fair equivalent to this joke.

[@nagatopain9]

do it for the wifey mr alexander, haha. thanks for the review, interesting and I am glad you can objectively call out their strengths and weaknesses.

[@RJHHamersma]

Hahaha, you made me laugh by your comments. But that cabin ... Oh my ... 🙈🙈🙈

[@mrartdeco]

You make me crossed it from my bucket list without even completing the mission 🤣🤣🤣

[@moistschmeckles400]

For 150€, you can get the night train from bucharest to vienna. it offers almost the same experience as this train, minus the 20s-like bar, but for 1% of the price. There is no reason in the world that would justify paying 12k for mediocre food, a small cabin, and a theme bar. Oh, in bucharest, the train is always on time. Just sayin

[@andreas8664]

Cant compare an old train and new luxurious plane in my opinion. Excpet that this is as usual a great video !

[@NguyenQuangNgocDC]

Did you do the Emirates first class review? I'm more interested in that, compared to this lukewarm Orient Express experience :)

[@barath4545]

Great review! ... I am happy to scratch this train off my bucket list! Also, the classic thing I noticed ... Batard on the list 2018, the one you got 2019 ... just HOW HARD is it to update the damn list for 12k eur per person. And the wines, all of them, plus the bar, should be free and ad libitum for 12k. I would 100 times over rather go to say 3 Michelins and give it hell with wine and still be under 4k per person.

[@ingeloop]

Thank you Alex for an honest review. I will not try this train for that money 😄

[@faizalahmed5035]

Alexander, we need your review of first class flights!

[@iainsanders4775]

I've just been watching the latest Mission Impossible - in which that train meets a very fragmentary end!

[@Polodaouf]

I really hope you'll do a video about Le Pierre Gagnaire. It is maybe my best experience so far (will do Plénitude this year to compare)

[@lzudemw95]

I believe you used pictures in the beginning from the Accor Orient Express which will start rolling out this year. I think it is going to be better than the Venice Simplon.

[@Gaurav-il6uf]

Try the maharaja express in India. A lot better than first class in Emirates. You get a king size bed, private bathroom, dining spaces, mouthwatering food,TV etc and then stop at historical sites in India along the way. You get a luxury guided tour at each stop and can experience local markets as well. All this for a cost less than $2000 for a week's travel along the breadth of India. As someone who's experienced it, it seems 10 times better than the Oriental express as portrayed in you video for less than half the cost

[@Maipenrai55]

I took the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and had some very good noodles and Singha beers in an A/C Pullman car for $15. Beds a bit small but cool to see both the city and countryside

[@acemyname]

love the short kurtis conner cameo!

[@jazzy_sax-uk]

Water from the dishwasher 😂 you're a legend...

[@carlover4239]

You definitely got overcharged. I've taken the Orient Express a few times, and none of the routes are €12.000 for 1 night.

[@siggydigdig]

Glad you rode the Orient Express so I don't have to!

[@andrew196809]

The cabin "where is the rest of it" 🤣

[@fabianm2819]

alex please try the Glacier express in switzerland, honestly i think youd love it, or my friend owns the Cook Swiss classic train, i can get you guys in touch if you want

[@kingk2405]

For 12 grands the cabin is ridiculously small ! I would have expected a proper ensuite room with at least a queen size bed …I know it is not a plane where every kilo and square meter counts and not a ship where you have all the room you want , it is in the middle !

[@visions30]

What can we say....a once in a lifetime experience 😂

[@kavx4208]

Great review! What did the wifey think of the trip?

[@JoicSeth]

possibily one of the funniest episodes lmao

[@Martin-jd3oc]

I could think of at least one thing to do in the cabin besides reading a book 😊

[@jespermeisel9799]

can´t complain when you have Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the piano. 5:28

[@um931]

12,000 is a joke. Ripping people off due to its legendary name.

[@prenomnom8095]

Comparer une cabine d'avion sans charme avec un monument d'histoire ressuscité n'est pas vraiment réaliste. C'est typiquement le genre d'expérience où il faut "jouer le jeu" et effectivement traîner au bar plutôt que dans sa cabine. Les menus sont un peu décevants, surtout pour le prix...merci pour cette visite, Alexander, pour ce voyage qui me fait toujours rêver.

[@andreasa.3817]

The delay and especially how it was handled is a no-go for this price…

[@esteaks2761]

French train being delayed, such a classic !

[@Salan1]

You should make a video about the Emirates first class experience!

[@isaakring2573]

Bout to be a banger

[@Isadorka1]

This trip is also on my bucket list - but honestly, I think I will settle for your review. That I can afford and don't even have to be able to walk......as I no longer can.

[@doubledee9675]

$0 or so years ago, we took the VSOE from London to Paris, and a couple of years later did the reverse journey. The Pullman carriages in the UK were comfortable and the food good quality. The Wagon Lit carriages in Europe were good for day travel, but I'd not want to sleep in one. The bed would probably have been comfortable enough, but you had to go to the end of the carriage to use the wc. No shower provided. By contrast, the Indian Pacific we took a couple of times from Adelaide to Sydney gave private shower and wc to each double room; single rooms had their own wc, but no shower. We were fortunate in our Paris-London journey. There was a severe storm in the Channel, and our journey was changed from one port to another at each end. We did not have to worry about that, all the changes being managed by the VSOE staff.