The Travelers' Companion

Welcome

The Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits welcomes you aboard the Orient Express, the most luxurious and celebrated railway journey in the world. This magnificent train has carried royalty, diplomats, artists, and adventurers across the continent since 1883.

From the moment you step into our elegant sleeping cars, you enter a world of refined comfort and impeccable service. Our dining cars serve the finest Continental cuisine, prepared by master chefs to rival the greatest restaurants of Paris. Our attendants are trained to anticipate your every need, ensuring a journey of unparalleled elegance.

This companion guide will introduce you to the remarkable cities along your route—from the fog-shrouded streets of London to the exotic splendor of Constantinople. Each destination offers its own unique character, history, and mysteries waiting to be discovered by the discerning traveler.

Preface

I was thrilled when asked to write this guide for passengers of the Orient Express. Having traversed this route dozens of times, I have come to know each city intimately—its grand hotels and hidden corners, its monuments and its secrets.

The journey from London to Constantinople is more than mere transportation; it is a pilgrimage through the heart of European civilization. You will witness the transition from Western modernity to Eastern mystique, from the ordered boulevards of Paris to the labyrinthine bazaars of the Bosphorus.

I have endeavored to provide practical advice alongside cultural insights, to prepare you for both the wonders and the challenges that await. May this guide serve you well as you embark upon this extraordinary adventure.

P. E. Jensen, London 1922