Dream of the Desert redefines luxury travel in Saudi Arabia with the Middle East's first five-star rail service

With an ambition to redefine luxury travel in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch Dream of the Desert, a rail experience scheduled to debut in 2026.

Initially announced in 2024, the project brings together Saudi Arabia Railways, the Ministry of Culture, and the Saudi Tourism Authority, along with the Italian company Arsenale, known for the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, to advance the Kingdom's long-distance travel through lavish, premium, and culturally driven experiences.

With this in mind, Arsenale is also behind several high-profile hospitality projects, including Soho House Roma, Hotel Santavenere in Maratea, and a growing collection of Orient Express hotels such as Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, Orient Express Palazzo Dona Giovannelli in Venice, and the Abbazia di Spineto in Tuscany.

According to various sources, one of the project's key aims is to strengthen Saudi Arabia's position in luxury transport, placing it in competition with some of the world's most celebrated luxury trains. These include the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Royal Scotsman, and the British Pullman.

Additionally, the initiative will play a key role in promoting sustainable economic growth. At the heart of this strategy is attracting sustainable foreign investment and promoting tourism as a sector capable of generating long-term returns, independent of oil.

By attracting international visitors from higher-spending markets and increasing levels of luxury tourism expenditure, the initiative is expected to raise national income and create multi-sector economic opportunities. This assessment is supported by a report from GCC Railway, a website specialising in transport and economic development.

Ultra-luxury design onboard

In terms of design, Dream of the Desert will feature 31 stylish suites, including two presidential suites, for up to 66 guests, with two restaurants serving Saudi and international cuisine with an Italian touch, and cocktails in the Majlis lounge.

Furthermore, the 14-car train features vintage Italian carriages redesigned for modern luxury, offering an ultra-luxury experience comparable to Japan's Seven Stars of Kyushu and Malaysia's Eastern & Oriental Express.

Turning to the routes, operators confirmed earlier this month that pre-reservations are open for five itineraries, each showcasing a different aspect of Saudi Arabia's cultural and natural heritage.

One of the flagship routes, The Northern Sands, is a three-day journey from Riyadh to Al Jouf. The itinerary includes visits to Marid Castle, the ancient rock carvings of Jubbah, and an overnight desert experience.

Another itinerary, A Taste of AlUla, runs from Riyadh to AlUla, with stops in Al Jouf and Jubbah along the way. The journey features bespoke programming developed in collaboration with AlUla Destination.

Shorter options are also available for travellers seeking a more compact experience. Whispers of Jubbah is a two-day itinerary focused on the prehistoric carvings of Jubbah and a visit to Diriyah. Ramadan Nights is a seasonal journey, with iftar and suhoor served onboard in the desert, followed by stargazing.

Meanwhile, Summer Mirage offers a two-day return journey from Riyadh, featuring themed events and dining tailored for summer travel.

Aligning with Vision 2030 goals

As energy economist Nihad Ismail puts it, the project is one of the strategic pillars of Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious tourism and transport initiative aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Nihad also noted that the train is the first of its kind in the Middle East in terms of luxury and high-end design, drawing comparisons with Europe's famous Orient Express.

Nihad added that the project's significance lies in its close alignment with the core objectives of Vision 2030, particularly those focused on attracting 150 million visitors to the Kingdom by the end of the decade and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global destination for tourism and investment.

Expanding on this point, Nihad explained that Dream of the Desert is not just a mode of transport but a fully integrated tourism experience, with its first journeys expected to begin in the final quarter of 2026, departing from Riyadh and travelling toward Jordan's southern border. Covering approximately 1,300 kilometres, the route passes through areas of tourism, historical, and cultural significance.

According to Nihad, this corridor presents a valuable opportunity to promote domestic destinations and connect them through a luxury transport network, further enhancing the Kingdom's appeal as a regional and global tourism destination. 

A strategic tourism vision

Weighing in on the project's significance, Ali Metwally, an economist at a London-based consultancy, told The New Arab that Dream of the Desert represents both a symbolic and strategic step. He said it should not be viewed as a form of mass transportation, but rather as a high-end tourism and entertainment product.

Because of its luxurious positioning and limited capacity, Ali further explained that the project's direct impact on mass transport providers is likely to be limited. Instead, it is expected to target high-spending visitors who typically rely on domestic aviation or private transport rather than traditional land-based services.

However, he believes the project could help reposition the land transport sector over the medium term. Ali said some operators may adapt by acting as feeder services to railway stations or by focusing on more economical travel segments, while luxury rail offerings cater to the high-end tourism market.

From an economic perspective, Ali argued that the project's impact extends beyond simply replacing one mode of transport with another. He identified three key areas where its influence could be felt.

The first relates to maximising the economic value of each tourist. Rather than being confined to one or two cities, travellers will move along a long geographic corridor that includes natural, historical, and heritage sites.

According to Ali, this is likely to extend visitor stays and increase spending on accommodation, local activities and services along the route, contributing positively to non-oil tourism income.

The second area concerns the project's role in shaping a new image of Saudi Arabia as a diverse, high-end tourism destination.

Ali said this positioning moves beyond Umrah, Hajj and urban tourism to include distinctive experiences such as luxury train journeys through the desert, strengthening the Kingdom's tourism brand and appealing to visitors with high purchasing power.

The third area concerns the broader transformation of the transport sector, with Ali noting that Dream of the Desert is part of a national strategy to expand the railway network and improve the overall quality of life.

For more information about the project, click here.

[Cover photo: Photography by Stephan Julliard]

Kareem Ramadan is a Muscat-based correspondent for The New Arab's Arabic edition, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition, translated by Afrah Almatwari; to read the original, click here.