Saudi Arabia Sets 2026 Launch for ‘Dream of the Desert’ Ultra-Luxury Train Experience
The Kingdom’s first five-star luxury rail service opens bookings as it prepares to offer immersive journeys across Saudi landscapes under Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia is gearing up to debut an ambitious ultra-luxury rail experience known as “Dream of the Desert,” with operations scheduled to begin by late 2026, marking a new chapter in the Kingdom’s high-end tourism and experiential travel strategy.
The service, a collaboration between Saudi Arabia Railways, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and Italian luxury rail specialist Arsenale, will offer a distinctive five-star journey spanning approximately thirteen hundred kilometres from Riyadh through northern regions to Al Qurayyat, providing travellers with panoramic views of iconic desert scenery and cultural heritage.
The train comprises fourteen meticulously designed carriages, featuring thirty-one private suites and two presidential suites, accommodating up to sixty-six guests.
Interiors crafted by architect Aline Asmar d’Amman blend refined Italian craftsmanship with Saudi cultural motifs, bringing earthy desert hues, wooden marquetry, bespoke Murano glass lighting and traditional influences into a contemporary travel environment.
Onboard amenities will include two restaurant cars offering a fusion of authentic Saudi cuisine and international dishes, alongside a central majlis lounge designed for social interaction and relaxation.
Dream of the Desert’s journey is more than transport; it is positioned as a moving cultural immersion, integrating curated excursions, heritage-themed programmes and personalised hospitality to attach travellers to the Kingdom’s history and natural beauty.
Itineraries planned for the inaugural season will highlight major sites such as Al Qassim, Hail, Al Jouf and other historic regions, creating a luxurious way to explore Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes and storied past.
Bookings for the luxury service have been officially opened, with prospective guests able to place refundable pre-reservation deposits to secure priority access and invitations to inaugural celebrations when full reservations are released.
The launch is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify the tourism economy and strengthen the nation’s global appeal as a destination for premium and culturally rich travel experiences.
Government officials and industry partners alike describe Dream of the Desert as a signature project that combines Saudi hospitality, heritage and world-class design, reinforcing the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving travel and leisure sector.
The service, a collaboration between Saudi Arabia Railways, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and Italian luxury rail specialist Arsenale, will offer a distinctive five-star journey spanning approximately thirteen hundred kilometres from Riyadh through northern regions to Al Qurayyat, providing travellers with panoramic views of iconic desert scenery and cultural heritage.
The train comprises fourteen meticulously designed carriages, featuring thirty-one private suites and two presidential suites, accommodating up to sixty-six guests.
Interiors crafted by architect Aline Asmar d’Amman blend refined Italian craftsmanship with Saudi cultural motifs, bringing earthy desert hues, wooden marquetry, bespoke Murano glass lighting and traditional influences into a contemporary travel environment.
Onboard amenities will include two restaurant cars offering a fusion of authentic Saudi cuisine and international dishes, alongside a central majlis lounge designed for social interaction and relaxation.
Dream of the Desert’s journey is more than transport; it is positioned as a moving cultural immersion, integrating curated excursions, heritage-themed programmes and personalised hospitality to attach travellers to the Kingdom’s history and natural beauty.
Itineraries planned for the inaugural season will highlight major sites such as Al Qassim, Hail, Al Jouf and other historic regions, creating a luxurious way to explore Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes and storied past.
Bookings for the luxury service have been officially opened, with prospective guests able to place refundable pre-reservation deposits to secure priority access and invitations to inaugural celebrations when full reservations are released.
The launch is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to diversify the tourism economy and strengthen the nation’s global appeal as a destination for premium and culturally rich travel experiences.
Government officials and industry partners alike describe Dream of the Desert as a signature project that combines Saudi hospitality, heritage and world-class design, reinforcing the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving travel and leisure sector.
