Orient Express will no longer operate the UK segment of its journey from next year, after 41 years of service.
According to the Independent, the portion of its journey that will be cancelled is the London to Folkestone leg, which allows passengers to travel from Victoria Station in London to Folkestone, whereafter they would have travelled by coach to France and there, board a train in Calais.
The reason behind the change is that it has become a challenge to cross the border to Calais, due to Brexit. Post-Brexit checks require passengers’ passports to be checked before crossing the channel. This has led to delays at Dover of up to 14 hours in recent weeks.
Belmond, which operates the service, said enhanced border and passport controls meant that it had to adjust its schedule for next year.
The company told the Observer: “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.”
