The world-famous train journey has decided to scrap the UK section of the route due to complicated border checks for passengers travelling into Calais.
After 41 years of running its famous routes, which travel from London Victoria Station to Folkestone in Kent, before continuing into Europe, the train operator will remove the UK leg of the journey. Upon announcement of the news, many are blaming Brexit for the decision, which came about due to new biometric and passport checks when crossing the border into France. Historically, freedom of movement within the European Union meant travelling on the Orient Express was stress-free, with minimal passport checks. Formerly, passengers would board the British Pullman train, operated by Belmond in London, before changing to a coach travelling through the Eurotunnel to the company’s European locomotive upon arrival in France, in time for a lavish dinner onboard. Now, passengers will need to make their own way to France, which can be done via the Eurostar to Paris, to join the renowned train.
The reasoning behind the change was recently thrown into light as Folkestone and Dover suffered extreme traffic jams during the Easter holidays, with some coaches being stuck for up to 14 hours before being allowed to cross the Channel. These delays, which may get worse as biometric checks are introduced, have a negative impact on the Belmond coach transfer into France and can cause extensive delays for both passengers and the scheduled train. Therefore, passengers will need to travel across the border themselves in plenty of time to meet the waiting hotel on wheels. The soon-to-be-introduced biometric checks are expected to include fingerprint and facial recognition in lieu of passport stamps, as well as pre-authorisation forms similar to the USA for those re-entering the UK.
The Orient Express is one of the world’s most famous luxury train journeys, complete with art-deco design, multiple dining compartments and spacious suites. Guests who shell out between £3,000 and £10,000 for a multi-night journey can expect private compartments, personal butlers, four-course dinners and more. Unfortunately, Belmond is not the first train company to make such an announcement, with Eurostar also recently revealing it would be ending its popular family route from London St. Pancras to Disneyland Paris.
