The "Dream of the Desert" train represents a significant tourism experience of its kind in Saudi Arabia. It is the result of a partnership between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Italy's Arsenale, in cooperation with a number of Saudi cultural and tourism bodies, with the aim of offering an integrated model of luxury rail travel that combines Saudi identity with Italian craftsmanship in design and detail.
The train is the first five-star luxury train in the Middle East and is designed to keep pace with the trend toward experiential tourism and slow travel, which blends cultural exploration, hospitality and a tourism character rooted in experience and place.
The train features 33 luxury suites with a capacity of only 66 passengers, giving travelers a high level of privacy and comfort throughout the journey. The interior carriage was designed in a style inspired by the Saudi desert environment and elements of local heritage, incorporating modern artistic and architectural details by internationally renowned architect Aline Asmar d'Amman.
The onboard experience includes two dining cars offering two menus, one of Saudi and Arab dishes and the other of international cuisine with an Italian touch, so that the dining experience combines the identity of the place with the character of luxury hospitality. The carriages also include a luxurious majlis lounge featuring interior design with wooden touches and artistic motifs inspired by Saudi cultural character.
The train's first journeys are scheduled to depart at the end of 2026 from the capital, Riyadh, covering more than 1,300 kilometers via the North Railway network and passing through a number of the Kingdom's most prominent natural and tourist destinations. The trips will last one or two nights, with cultural exploration programs and activities designed specifically for travelers.
The Dream of the Desert project is one of the distinctive outcomes of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. It also adds a new type of luxury tourist transport option within the Kingdom, supports the attraction of international investment and strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a destination for luxury travel experiences and cultural tourism rooted in national identity.
The train embodies a vision that combines luxury and authentic Saudi hospitality, cultural and heritage depth, and a contemporary tourism experience offering visitors an integrated journey that reflects the beauty of Saudi nature and the spirit of the place in a modern style befitting the Kingdom's standing among the world's luxury travel destinations.
