Istanbul:The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a renowned European train, is scheduled to arrive in Istanbul on September 30, according to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu.

According to Anadolu Agency, Uraloglu shared detailed information about the special passenger train services that connect Europe with Istanbul. The train, managed by UK-based Belmond, operates on the Paris-Istanbul-Paris route. It is expected to reach Bakirkoy Station in Istanbul at 5.40 pm (1440 GMT) on September 30, having traveled from France through Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Passengers will disembark at Bakirkoy Station before the train moves empty to Halkali Station at 7.10 pm, where it will stay for two nights. After necessary technical and operational procedures, the train will return to Bakirkoy Station to collect passengers and will depart at noon on October 2, exiting Turkey through the Kapikule border crossing at 10.05 pm.

The first Orient Express service of the year entered Turkey on May 30 and left on June 1, as noted by Uraloglu.

Uraloglu also highlighted other special train services operated by Hungary-based MAV Passenger Transport Co., which run from Venice, Paris, and Rome to Istanbul. Six special Hungarian train services are planned for 2026. The third Hungarian special train of the year from Venice arrived in Istanbul yesterday, following previous services from Venice in May and Paris at the end of May.

In October, two special train services from Paris to Istanbul are scheduled for October 10-12 and October 24-25, with another service from Rome to Istanbul planned for October 26-31.