Reservations for Italy’s latest “La Dolce Vita Orient Express” train open Tuesday.
Luxury train enthusiasts should want to lock in the present rate now — before it climbs any higher.
Starting rates for a one-night journey on the posh train increased from 2,000 euros ($2,168) per person in December 2022 to 2,500 euros per person in November 2023. Both rates were set during a pre-sales reservation period, which required a refundable deposit.
But starting rates have now jumped to 3,500 euros per person per night, based on a press release published in March.
That’s an eye-watering 75% price increase in a 16-month period.
The train is ready to start out running within the spring of 2025, based on Accor, the French multinational hospitality company that operates the train.
What is going on?
Accor did indirectly answer CNBC’s query as to the explanation behind the steep price hike.
A representative said, “Pricing evolves based on occupancy, season, route, and cabin type.”
However, again, the train is not operating yet.
Rates for a deluxe cabin on Accor’s La Dolce Vita Orient Express train have risen 75% since late 2022.
Courtesy of Accor
Ticket prices are still lower than one other train using the “Orient Express” moniker in Europe — the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Nightly rates for that train, which is operated by the LVMH-owned Belmond company, start from £7,060 ($8,925) per passenger, based on a review of its website.
Dave Goodger, managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, said rising prices are brought on by consumers’ continued willingness to pay higher rates for luxury experiences. But, he said, that is likely not the one reason.
The lounge on the Accor’s latest La Dolce Vita train.
Courtesy of Accor
“Luxury travel demand is reflected in some continued price increases,” he said. “However, the value increases should not profiteering and are broadly in step with rising costs, including higher staff costs in addition to increased debt service requirements.”
Goodger called the La Dolce Vita train’s price increase “something of an outlier,” but additionally noted it’s reflective of the unique service it provides.
The ‘La Dolce Vita’ trains
Accor’s La Dolce Vita Orient Express is ready to run nine routes through Italy, including a coastal journey from Palermo to Rome and one other from Rome to the Tuscan commune of Montalcino.
The “La Dolce Vita” train — which translates to “the sweet life” — channels the era of Italian glamour captured by Federico Fellini’s famed 1960 movie of the identical name. The film is probably best remembered for the scene during which actor Anita Ekberg frolics within the Trevi Fountain, an act that tourists will be fined heftily for replicating.
Reservations for the train open via telephone on April 2, and via the train’s website from April 24.
Accor has plans to launch one other train — named “The Orient Express” — using restored Nineteenth-century carriages that were once a part of the historic “Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express.”
The train will run various routes through Europe, including the iconic Paris-Istanbul route.
Originally scheduled to launch this yr, the train is now set to start services in 2026.
