A luxury train service that follows the route and spirit of the famed Orient Express is about to give up the elegant British leg that has started the journey for the past four decades, citing bureaucratic delays rising from Britain’s departure from the EU.
The London-to-Folkestone leg of the route, using Art Deco carriages of the Britsh Pullman service takes passengers to Folkestone, where they transfer to motorcoaches for the Channel ferry crossing to Calais where, in theory, they arrive in Calais in time to board the Continental version of the Venice Simplon Orient Express in time to dress up for dinner onboard.
However, new border controls between the UK and EU, as well as other operating factors, have led to delays of as much as 14 hours in the Channel transfer, making the connection a hit or miss proposition.
Belmond, the operating company says the passengers are still welcome to join the famed train, but will have to do so in Paris after arranging their own transportation there, most likely via Eurostar trains.
The (already impressive) list of negative effects of Brexit is growing daily and it is dawning on many people that it was never going to be a good idea. Travel to the continent (and around it) used to be easy for Britons. It has now become a challenge – and it will get worse when new requirements come into force in 2024.