A Legendary Name Returns to the Rails in 2027: The Revival of the Orient Express

One of the most storied names in travel – the Orient Express has long symbolized the romance of slow, elegant journeys.

First launched in June 1883, it carried generations of travellers across Europe in unparalleled style before the original service came to an end in 2009.

Now, nearly two decades later, excitement is building for its long-awaited revival. The French hospitality giant Accor is set to reintroduce the Orient Express experience in 2027, extending the brand’s reach far beyond the rails. Accor’s involvement with the Orient Express name will ultimately include hotels and yachts, with the Corinthian set to launch in June 2026.

Early images of the reborn train reveal interiors that feel more like a grand residence in motion than traditional rail travel, a design approach that invites unhurried journeys, deep rest, and life-unforgettable moments.

The creative direction of the new Orient Express is led by Maxime d’Angeac.

The train’s return follows the recent debut of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Italy and the opening of Orient Express La Minerva in Rome. Next year will see the arrival of Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice, alongside the launch of the world’s largest sailing yacht, the Orient Express Corinthian, currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire.

Sleepflyer Takeaway

The rebirth of the Orient Express is more than nostalgia – it’s a declaration that the journey itself can once again be the most rejuvenating part of travel. This is the top tier of luxury travel, where design, atmosphere, and motion converge into an experience that invites both serenity and reverie.

For travellers who measure luxury in hours of rest and the rhythm of unhurried travel, this revival promises to redefine sleep on the move – a return to the art of traveling well, dreaming deeply, and living memorably.