TRACKING THE ‘REAL’ ORIENT EXPRESS: WHY LUXURY SLEEPER BRANDS CONFUSE TRAVELERS
Name, nostalgia and competing operators
The allure of the Orient Express keeps drawing travelers to pricey sleeper trains across Europe, but multiple companies and brands now claim the storied name. That patchwork—spanning restorations, licensed brands and modern luxury offshoots—has spawned confusion over routes, rolling stock and what counts as “authentic.” Travel advisors say demand is resilient as affluent tourists chase cinematic experiences, even at wait-listed prices.
What to check before you book
Experts recommend reading the fine print: which operator runs the service, what equipment and cabin types are used, and whether the itinerary matches the classic routes or a contemporary reinterpretation. Insurance and refund rules also vary. With night-train capacity still limited, 2026 dates are already filling up.
