Luxury rail travel is in the midst of a renaissance, and Saudi Arabia is the latest to embrace it.
As the Middle Eastern country pushes to become one of the world’s top tourist destinations, designs have been unveiled for Dream of the Desert.
The first five-star rail service in the region, the train will travel a distance of around 780 miles through the Arabian Desert, from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat, near the northern border with Jordan.
A collaboration between Saudi Arabia Railways and Italian luxury brand Arsenale, Dream of the Desert will make its inaugural journey by the end of 2026 — and while fares are yet to be confirmed, there’s no doubt that this railway ride will take passengers to new heights of luxury.
The final designs for the carriages have been unveiled, offering a glimpse into the opulent interiors passengers will experience onboard.
What can Dream of the Desert train passengers expect?
Dream of the Desert’s 14 carriages will contain 34 luxury suites.
Designed by acclaimed Lebanese architect Aline Asmar d’Amman, the interiors are inspired by the surrounding desert landscapes and Islamic architecture, with earthy tones, golden textiles and intricate mosaics.
D’Amman, who has studios in Beirut and Paris, designed the reception areas to feel like majlis — Saudi sitting rooms — with hand-carved wood and geometric patterns.
Special art pieces showcasing the country’s heritage and culture have been commissioned to hang in the corridors.
The bedrooms contain art deco-style lamps, emerald sofas and dark wood-panelled walls.
In an Instagram post, the architect described the train as a ‘luxuriant journey of wonderment and cultural immersion in the pristine sceneries of the Saudi Arabian desert’.
Meanwhile, menus which will showcase local and international chefs are currently in the works.
Where in Saudi Arabia will Dream of the Desert travel to?
The train will start its two-day journey in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and continue on to Al Qurayyat, about 30km short of the Jordanian border.
The route will pass key historic sites, including Hail, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once the capital of the Arabian desert, and and Al Jouf, on the edge of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Nature Reserve.
It is not clear if off-train excursions will take place, or how much these might cost.
Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia?
Dream of the Desert is one of several contemporary transport initiatives in Saudi Arabia, as it seeks to become a major global tourist destination.
The country aims to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030 as part of its Vision 2030 plan.
However, Amnesty International’s latest report into human rights in the country raises concerns over strict restrictions on freedom of speech, unfair trails, the treatment of women and girls and LGBTQ+ discrimnation.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also flags that ‘Islamic law is strictly enforced’, adding ‘there may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK.’
For example, Saudi Arabia criminalises same-sex sexual activity and the gender expression of trans people. Sentences include a maximum penalty of death.
Although the Saudi Tourism Authority updated its website last year to state that LGBT visitors are ‘welcome’, the Human Dignity Trust says there is evidence of the law being enforced in recent years and that LGBT people are regularly subjected to discrimination and violence.
The country has also faced scrutiny as the destination of the 2034 World Cup. Saudi has had a strict ban on alcohol since 1952, and tourists caught breaking the law face prison sentences, hefty fines, public flogging and deportation.
In addition to human rights concerns, The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to parts of Saudi Arabia, citing safety risks on the border with Yemen.
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