Frequently asked questions

Your Questions / Our Answers

Products and services :

Is it possible to book or buy a train ticket on the Internet ?

The Compagnie des Wagons-Lits cannot book or sell tickets. To purchase a ticket, a couchette car supplement or a sleeping car supplement, you have several options :

   • From the railway company in your country: at train stations and in agents (depending on the country); or the company of the country where you will be traveling,
   • At an approved travel agent,
   • On the railway company's website.

Visit the "Partners" section to go to their websites directly.

In which European countries does the Compagnie provide service on board night trains ?

The Compagnie des Wagons-Lits provides catering and sleeping car and couchette car attendance services in Austria, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.

You will find the list of destinations and further indications specific to each country in the night trains and destinations pages.

In which European countries does the Compagnie provide service on board day trains ?

The Compagnie des Wagons-Lits provides catering services (*) on board day trains in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.

(*) Depending on the country: bar service, meals service at seat, dining car service, minibar service and vending machines

The day train pages contain all information specific to each country.

Job openings / Internships :

How do I apply for a position (job or internship) ?

Go directly to the Human Resources page.

History / Heritage :

What route did the Orient Express travel initially ?

In 1896, the Orient Express linked the following towns: Paris, Munich, Vienna and Budapest. From there, one branch traveled to Varna via Bucharest and Giurgiu. Later, another line traveled to Constantinople via Belgrade, Nish, Sofia and Tatar-Bazardjik.

What is the difference between the "Orient Express" and the "Orient Express Pullman" ?

Originally, "Orient Express" trains were a line of trains created by the Compagnie des Wagons-Lits. The year 1883 saw the maiden voyage of the 1st train of the "Grand Orient Express " which traveled from Gare de l’Est in Paris to Constantinople. This train, made up of sleeping cars and the dining car, was the first to cross borders, and rapidly became known by the mythical name of "Orient Express".

Today the "Orient Express Pullman", owned by the Compagnie des Wagons-Lits, perpetuates the tradition of the grand international express trains. This train, classed "Historical Monument" is made up of cars from famous trains like the "Blue Train", the "Golden Arrow", the "North Star" or the "Anatolia".

For a full description of the Orient Express Pullman cars, click on "Orient Express Pullman".

To see the schedules, rates and book your trip, visit the Orient Express Pullman website.

A history question ?

To ask about the history of the Compagnie or its trains, you may e-mail us, giving us the details about the subject you are researching. We will try to answer you as quickly as possible.

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