Saudi Arabia Unveils ‘Dream of the Desert,’ a Five-Star Luxury Train

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – October 31, 2025: Saudi Arabia’s upcoming ultra-luxury train, Dream of the Desert, is being hailed as a “moving masterpiece” that will blend world-class Italian design with Saudi heritage to deliver a new standard of five-star rail travel.

The concept, unveiled at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh by Italy’s Arsenale Group, introduces the Middle East’s first luxury train experience, one designed to merge craftsmanship, culture, and comfort as it journeys through the Kingdom’s most stunning landscapes.

A Five-Star Journey Through the Kingdom

Set to launch by late 2026, Dream of the Desert will travel across 1,300 kilometres of Saudi railway lines, linking Riyadh to destinations showcasing the Kingdom’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, including UNESCO World Heritage sites and one soon-to-be-revealed “hidden gem.”

Guests will be able to choose between one- and two-night itineraries, featuring a mix of onboard indulgence and immersive offboard excursions, private performances, and bespoke cultural experiences that bring travellers closer to Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes and traditions.

“Dream of the Desert is a moving masterpiece born from the dialogue between Italian craftsmanship and Saudi vision,” said Paolo Barletta, Chief Executive Officer of Arsenale Group. “The train will redefine ultra-luxury travel while carrying the world’s most discerning travellers through the heart of Saudi Arabia’s landscapes and traditions.”

Luxury on Rails

The train will comprise 33 private suites, including 31 luxury suites and two presidential suites, accommodating up to 66 passengers. Each suite will feature custom furnishings, elegant design motifs, and private en-suite facilities, offering guests the privacy and comfort of a luxury hotel room while on the move.

Complementing the suites will be two restaurant cars serving locally inspired dishes and Italian-fusion cuisine curated by renowned international chefs, alongside a majlis-style lounge car adorned with finely carved wood, desert-toned fabrics, and gold accents that evoke the warmth and richness of Saudi design.

The train’s interiors are being brought to life by Aline Asmar d’Amman, the Lebanese-born architect and founder of Culture in Architecture studio, known for her ability to fuse artistic heritage with modern expression.

“The atmospheric interior celebrates the majesty of the Kingdom’s landscapes, steeped in stories of architectural legacy and the poetic vastness of the desert,” the company said.

A Collaboration Rooted in Vision 2030

Developed in partnership with Saudi Arabia Railways, the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, the Transport General Authority, the Ministry of Culture, and the Saudi Tourism Authority, Dream of the Desert reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to diversify tourism under Vision 2030.

The project is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to reimagine travel through design and experience, positioning the country as a global destination for luxury tourism, sustainability, and cultural storytelling.

By blending Italian artistry and Saudi identity, the train is set to become an icon of modern luxury travel — a journey where craftsmanship meets culture, and every mile reveals a new facet of the Kingdom’s evolving narrative.