Saudi Arabia is preparing to introduce “Dream of the Desert,” its first-ever luxury train service, by the end of 2025, in a move that will revolutionise luxury travel in the country. The ambitious project is scheduled to span an 800-mile, captivating route from the bustling metropolis of Riyadh to the northern province of Al Jawf’s Al Qurayyat. It is a collaboration between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and the Italian hospitality company Arsenale Group.
800 Miles of Magnificence
The train, which has 40 opulent compartments, is a voyage through the breathtaking desert interior of the kingdom as well as a mode of transportation. The one- to two-day itinerary has been meticulously planned and will stop in Al Qassim, Hail, and Al Jouf, giving travellers a taste of Saudi Arabia’s varied terrain and rich cultural diversity. The ultimate location, which is only 20 kilometres from the Jordanian border, gives the journey a more global flavour.
The CEO of SAR, Bashar bin Khalid Al-Malik, expressed enthusiasm for the planned luxury train service. highlighting its contribution to enabling residents and visitors to the Kingdom to see more of it. Paolo Barletta, the CEO of Arsenale, was signing the agreement. Al-Malik emphasised the train’s importance in boosting travel. inviting guests to set out on a remarkable adventure influenced by Saudi culture and customs.
Italian precision meets Saudi tradition.
There is no denying Dream of the Desert’s Italian artistry. Arsenale Group contributes its knowledge to the undertaking. The train cars are made in Italy, but they will be painstakingly altered to showcase Saudi Arabia’s diverse cultural heritage. Passengers may anticipate an unmatched and distinctive travel experience thanks to this fusion of Italian precision with Saudi history.
Dream of the Desert’s debut fits in with Saudi Arabia’s aggressive tourism objectives, which include drawing 150 million tourists by the end of the decade. The monarchy has quickly developed a number of tourism sites, thanks to its ambitious aim. From the contemporary Neom gigaproject to the picturesque Red Sea coast, the old oasis city of AlUla is alluring.
The Arsenale Group’s participation in other luxury train initiatives, such as La Dolce Vita in Italy and a partnership with Etihad Railway in the United Arab Emirates, suggests that luxury train cruising is becoming a more popular post-Covid travel option. Saudi Arabia is not only keeping up but also setting new benchmarks in the tourism industry with the launch of Dream of the Desert, an opulent journey through the Arabian Peninsula.
