Ever since the Orient Express began operating a train service in the nineteenth century, it has been known for its luxury art-deco carriages and connections between many cities across Europe.
A journey on the Orient Express typically includes an overnight stay in your own private accommodation, 24-hour steward service and a four-course dinner, followed by a continental breakfast and three-course lunch the next day.
But Brexit delays are putting an end to the glamour of an Orient Express trip from London across the border to Calais.
Belmond, the company that runs today’s Venice Simplon-Orient Express (VSOE), has decided to drop the London-to-Folkestone stretch because of border controls causing severe hold-ups for passengers.
Until now, passengers have been able to board the vintage British Pullman service from London Victoria to Folkestone in Kent, where they then board coaches to cross the Channel, meeting the Continental train at Calais.
Under new post-Brexit regulations, passengers must now get off and have their passports checked before crossing the channel, causing longer queues and increased travel disruption.
In the recent Easter break, some holiday-goers had to wait up to 14 hours at the border, and it is thought that things may get even worse with the possible introduction of new biometric passport checks and more red tape.
While passengers from London can still opt to take the modern high-speed Eurostar to Paris before joining the Orient Express in the French capital, it’s not exactly the same experience as leaving the city in an authentic, art-deco train carriage on the British Pullman service.
A spokesperson from Belmond told The Guardian it was necessary to adjust operations in 2024 ahead of enhanced passport and border controls.
‘We want to avoid any risk of travel disruption for our guests – delays and missing train connections – and provide the highest level of service, as seamless and relaxed as possible,’ they said.
Waiting in a 14-hour queue for passport checks certainly doesn’t exactly scream luxury, non-stress travel, after all.
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