Saudi Arabia’s ‘Dream of the Desert’ Train: With the Dream of the Desert train, the first five-star rail experience in the Kingdom and the Middle East’s new ultra-luxury sleeper train, Saudi Arabia is placing itself in the lead of luxury travel.
Developed by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) in partnership with Italy’s Arsenale Group, the train blends high-end hospitality with Saudi cultural heritage.
Saudi Arabia’s ‘Dream of the Desert’ Train: Route and Stops
The Dream of the Desert will travel from the capital, Riyadh, northwards to Al Qurayyat (near the Jordanian border) over a journey of roughly 1,300 km.
قطار “حلم الصحراء” يجذب الأنظار في أول ظهور له ضمن فعاليات النسخة التاسعة من مؤتمر مبادرة مستقبل الاستثمار “FII9” ، كأول قطار سياحي فاخر من نوعه في الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا، مجسّداً تطور منظومة النقل في المملكة. pic.twitter.com/ij8tmUGhg4
— الخطوط الحديدية السعودية | SAR (@SARSaudiRailway) October 28, 2025
Along the way it will pass through regions like Hail, Al Qassim and Al Jouf offering a rare combination of sweeping desert landscapes, historic heritage, and cultural immersion.
Trips are expected to span one to two nights, making the journey as much about the experience onboard as the destination.
Suites, Design & On-board Experience
The train will consist of 14 carriages housing 34 luxury suites, designed to host a very select number of guests emphasising exclusivity and intimate comfort.
Designed by Lebanese architect Aline Asmar d’Amman, the interiors draw deeply from Saudi heritage: desert-inspired tones, fine textiles, handcrafted decorative motifs, and references to sites such as Hegra and Hail.
Dining will be a highlight: Gourmet cuisine blending local flavors and international techniques, lounges styled after traditional Saudi majlis, and features such as glass ceilings in lounge cars to watch the night sky.
Dream of the Desert Train: Launch Date and Booking Status
The current timeline points to a launch in Q3 2026 (around late third quarter of 2026).
Booking details and pricing packages have not been fully released yet as of mid-2025, ticket costs remain “to be announced”.
What About Ticket Prices?
While exact ticket prices are not yet publicly confirmed, given the ultra-luxury positioning (private suites, fine dining, curated cultural programmes) one can expect them to be at the high end of luxury travel pricing globally. Industry commentary suggests this will target affluent tourists and travel-fauna interested in premium experiences.
What to Do if You’re Interested?
Monitor the official SAR or Dream of the Desert website for booking announcements and packages.
Decide when you’d like to travel: One-night or two-night itineraries are anticipated, so consider how much time you have.
Prepare for premium budget while no official price is out yet, expect high-end fares.
Consider travel logistics: Getting to and from Riyadh (or wherever the departure point is) as part of the journey especially from India (since you’re in Delhi) this may require additional planning.
Keep an eye out for travel deals or introductory offers when booking opens.
