Do You Have to Share a Toilet on the Orient Express? Essential Facts

If you're thinking about booking a trip on the Orient Express, one of the first things you probably want to know is whether you'll have to share a toilet. Nobody wants bathroom surprises while traveling, especially when you're shelling out for a legendary luxury experience.

Here’s the deal: it depends on the type of cabin you book. Not every compartment has a private bathroom. Some do, but classic cabins usually have a washbasin in the room, and you’ll find shared toilets at the end of the carriage. Suites often come with en-suite bathrooms, but these are pricier and sell out quickly.

This setup is a throwback to the original era of the train. The shared facilities are spotless and always stocked, thanks to a team that cleans them several times a day. But if complete privacy matters to you, you’ll want to grab a suite—no way around it.

• Orient Express Bathroom Basics
• Cabin Types and Bathroom Setups
• What to Expect Onboard
• Tips for Maximum Comfort

Orient Express Bathroom Basics

For anyone considering hopping aboard the Orient Express, the bathroom arrangement is a hot topic. It’s not quite like checking into a five-star hotel—these are classic train carriages from the 1920s, lovingly restored. That means keeping the original style, which also influences how bathrooms are set up.

Most cabins, especially the Historic Cabins, have a private washbasin but not a full bathroom inside. You’ll find shared toilets at the end of each sleeping car. Don’t stress about cleanliness: the staff clean and restock these bathrooms several times a day. There’s never a shortage of fresh towels, toilet paper, or soap. The crew even leaves out fresh flowers (nice touch, right?).

If you spring for a Grand Suite, you get your own private bathroom with a shower, toilet, and sink. That’s the only way to get a true en-suite experience on the train. For reference, here’s how the train setups break down:

You can move freely to the shared toilets, and they’re usually just a few steps from your room. While this might sound old-school, it’s all part of the train’s charm—and the team really keeps things spotless. If you’re worried about nighttime trips, just pack some comfy slippers. That’s what seasoned travelers tend to do.

Don’t expect a full bathtub or sprawling vanity mirrors even in the fanciest suite. Everything’s compact, but practical, since space is at a premium on a luxury train. Unlike some trains where bathrooms can feel sketchy, the Orient Express makes this shared setup feel surprisingly classy and practical.

Cabin Types and Bathroom Setups

The Orient Express offers different types of cabins, and what you get inside varies a lot depending on how much you pay. Let’s break it down so there are no surprises when you board.

The classic cabins, called "Historic Cabins," are cozy and keep that old-school vibe. You’ll find a washbasin tucked behind a little door, but no shower or private toilet. If you need the toilet, you’ll walk a few steps to the shared ones at the end of your carriage. This is how luxury trains rolled for decades, and for many, it’s all part of the vintage feel.

If a bathroom in your cabin is a must-have, look at the “Suites” or “Grand Suites.” Each Suite has its own private en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet, and everything modern travelers expect. The Grand Suites go all out with a bigger bathroom, even more space, and perks like free-flowing champagne. Just know: these options also come with a much steeper price tag and are often booked out months ahead.

• Historic Cabin: Washbasin in the room, shared toilets at the end of the carriage.
• Suite: Private en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet.
• Grand Suite: Largest, most luxurious suite, full private bathroom, extra creature comforts.

If privacy is high on your list, you’ll want to snag a Suite or Grand Suite as soon as tickets go on sale. But classic cabins still give you plenty of privacy for sleeping and relaxing—just not for showering or, well, other needs. And here’s a tip: the shared bathrooms are kept clean pretty much all the time, and you rarely have to wait, since the train has far fewer guests than most hotels.

What to Expect Onboard

As soon as you step onto the Orient Express, it’s clear this is a whole different level of train experience. You’ll be shown to your cabin by a steward who’s basically your go-to person for the whole ride. The train has a classic layout, and bathroom access is part of the real experience here. Let’s break down what that means in practice:

• Classic cabins: You get a private washbasin in your room, but for the toilet and shower, you’ll use the shared facilities at the end of the carriage. These shared bathrooms aren’t anything like you’d find on a budget train — they’re super clean, with posh toiletries and real hand towels, checked and cleaned all day.
• Suits and Grand Suites: If you splash out for one of these, you’ll have a full en-suite bathroom, including a private toilet and shower. The Grand Suites are more like a fancy hotel room than a train compartment.
• Attentive service: The staff swoop in quietly to tidy up common areas whenever you leave your cabin or after busy times, ensuring nothing ever feels grubby or neglected.

Here’s how the bathrooms and cabins are set up based on ticket type:

It’s worth knowing that even in the historic cabins with shared bathrooms, you rarely run into lines, since there aren’t that many people per carriage. Early mornings or right before dinner may be the only busy times, so plan around those if privacy is a big deal.

Everything feels intentional — even the soap and towels match the old-school luxury vibe. If you have any concerns or special requests, just flag down your steward. They’re seriously quick to help and have seen just about every bathroom-related request out there. On the Orient Express, comfort is clearly a priority, not just an afterthought.

Tips for Maximum Comfort

The Orient Express is a bucket-list trip, but a little prep goes a long way in making your stay smoother, especially when it comes to bathroom stuff. Here’s what really helps.

• Choose your cabin wisely: If having your own bathroom is non-negotiable, book one of the ensuite suites early. These are limited and always the first to go. Classic cabins only have a washbasin, so you'll use shared toilets.
• Pack a small toiletry bag: Shared facilities mean you don’t want to leave your stuff behind. Bring a zipper pouch with the essentials—think toothbrush, wipes, and hand sanitizer.
• Use the toilets during off-peak times: Mornings right before breakfast and right after dinner tend to be busiest. Try going just before or after those rushes if you want more privacy.
• Don’t stress about cleanliness: The cleaning staff on the Orient Express truly keep the facilities in top shape, with checks and tidy-ups done at least 4 times a day. If you ever walk in and something's not up to snuff, just flag a staff member—they handle it pronto.
• Be courteous: If you’re using a shared toilet, keep things tidy for the next guest. It just makes the whole experience better for everyone.

Curious about how cabins compare? Check out this breakdown from 2024 bookings:

Plans for upgraded suites and more en-suites have been teased for 2025, but no official release yet. If you’re set on privacy, keep an eye out when bookings open. One extra tip—if you’re only on the train for one night, you’ll probably be fine with a classic cabin. But for longer journeys or if you just don’t want to share, splurging on a suite makes a big difference.

The Orient Express crew is friendly, and honestly, if you ever need anything special—from extra towels to an unscheduled clean-up—just ask. They’ve seen it all and are trained to help you feel at home.