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Friday, Jan 31, 2025
Outside the box.
Saudi Arabia Unveils 'Dream of the Desert' Luxury Train, First of Its Kind in the Middle East
The five-star super-luxury train will begin operations in 2026, offering a luxury travel experience through Saudi Arabia's iconic desert landscapes.
Saudi Arabia is set to launch the Middle East's first luxury train, the 'Dream of the Desert,' by late 2026, providing an opulent travel experience through the country’s diverse desert terrain.
The train will run a 1,300-kilometer route from the capital, Riyadh, to Al Qurayyat near the Jordanian border, passing through regions such as Al Qassim, Hail, and Al Jouf.
The journey will include scenic views of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Nature Reserve.
Developed by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) in collaboration with Italian hospitality firm Arsenale Group, the train will feature 14 carriages and 34 luxury suites designed by Lebanese architect Aline Asmar d'Amman.
The interiors blend modern elegance with traditional Saudi elements, featuring gold-accented ceilings, plush velvet seating, intricately carved wood, and desert-inspired tones.
The reception areas draw from traditional majlis settings, while corridors will display specially commissioned artworks celebrating Saudi culture.
Local and international chefs will curate the onboard culinary offerings, further enhancing the luxury experience.
The train’s development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a plan to diversify the nation’s economy and establish it as a global tourism and logistics hub.
H.E. Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of SAR, highlighted the project’s strategic importance, stating that the train is part of efforts to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s integrated transport network and enhance its status as a premier global tourism destination.
Tourism spending in Saudi Arabia reached six point six billion dollars by the end of 2024, with growth expected as projects like the Dream of the Desert contribute to the nation’s goal of attracting 150 million visitors by the end of the decade.
The train will run a 1,300-kilometer route from the capital, Riyadh, to Al Qurayyat near the Jordanian border, passing through regions such as Al Qassim, Hail, and Al Jouf.
The journey will include scenic views of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Nature Reserve.
Developed by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) in collaboration with Italian hospitality firm Arsenale Group, the train will feature 14 carriages and 34 luxury suites designed by Lebanese architect Aline Asmar d'Amman.
The interiors blend modern elegance with traditional Saudi elements, featuring gold-accented ceilings, plush velvet seating, intricately carved wood, and desert-inspired tones.
The reception areas draw from traditional majlis settings, while corridors will display specially commissioned artworks celebrating Saudi culture.
Local and international chefs will curate the onboard culinary offerings, further enhancing the luxury experience.
The train’s development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a plan to diversify the nation’s economy and establish it as a global tourism and logistics hub.
H.E. Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of SAR, highlighted the project’s strategic importance, stating that the train is part of efforts to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s integrated transport network and enhance its status as a premier global tourism destination.
Tourism spending in Saudi Arabia reached six point six billion dollars by the end of 2024, with growth expected as projects like the Dream of the Desert contribute to the nation’s goal of attracting 150 million visitors by the end of the decade.
