Only 31 private suites and two presidential suites, two of the 14 cars reserved for restaurants with a Michelin-starred menu, a luxury lounge and exclusive itineraries. The world’s most beautiful train is about to depart, crossing a territory still entirely to be explored. The Dream of the Desert, the details of which were unveiled recently during the Future Investment Initiative held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, known as the “Davos of the Middle East,” will be one of the world’s most beautiful trains on which only 66 lucky passengers will be able to travel.
On board the Dream of the Desert
The luxury train will be composed of 14 cars with 31 private suites and two presidential suites, for a maximum of 66 guests onboard. Passengers will enjoy two restaurant cars and a Majlis lounge to unwind during the journey. The carriage interiors will be enriched with finely carved woods and tones that evoke the desert, from browns to the greens of oases, with golden details that reflect warmth, Murano blown glass for lighting that evokes the warmth of Oriental lanterns and the richness of Saudi heritage. The two restaurant cars will offer menus signed by renowned local and international chefs, to provide a gastronomic journey of the highest level.
The Dream of the Desert Itinerary
The train will depart from Riyadh and arrive at Al Jouf or Al-Jawf, in the north of the country, with exclusive itineraries that will be unveiled at the official launch and that will lead the lucky passengers to iconic destinations and to inaccessible places of the territory, offering a unique journey, dedicated services, a private on-ground lounge when the train stops at the various legs and selected activities. It is known, however, that these itineraries will be for one or two nights, carefully designed to reveal natural beauty, cultural richness, guiding guests through a UNESCO World Heritage site and another extraordinary mysterious destination, destined, soon, to rise among the world’s treasures.
Who built the Dream of the Desert
This luxury train was realized by the Italian company Arsenale S.p.A., a firm active in the luxury hospitality sector, which aims to enhance Italy’s tourism industry and which leads the famous La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the first sustainable rail tourism project. Entirely designed and built in Italy, at the Brindisi (CPL) and Bergamo (Standgreen) hubs, the Dream of the Desert unites the tradition of Italian design and craftsmanship with the authenticity of Saudi hospitality, transforming travel into an unprecedented cultural and aesthetic experience.
The interiors, signed by the renowned architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman, founder of Culture in Architecture, are conceived with great care, paying homage to Saudi heritage while at the same time embracing the style of contemporary Italian design. Working textures, reinterpretations of woven patterns, and carvings in precious wood capture the essence of tradition, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance deeply rooted in culture.
The company unveiled in advance the mockup of the Dream of the Desert carriage, the first ultra-luxury train in Saudi Arabia, developed in collaboration with Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), the Kingdom’s Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). The first carriage had departed from the Bergamo facilities on September 25 bound for Saudi Arabia.
Following La Dolce Vita and the Dream of the Desert, more luxury trains will arrive: one is under construction in the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with Etihad Railway, a train that will traverse the Middle Eastern peninsula; another will travel through Uzbekistan, thanks to the partnership with O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari JSC and the State Committee for Tourism, and will be named The Samarkand Express, set to be the first luxury train in Central Asia, which will enter service in 2026. Finally, there will be a magnificent one in Egypt, called Guardian of the Nile, in collaboration with Egypt National Railway, which will be the country’s first luxury train.
When will the Dream of the Desert depart
The official launch of the train is planned for the end of 2026. The project sits within Saudi Arabia’s revival of its high-end tourist and cultural offerings, positioning the Dream of the Desert as a reference for luxury rail travel in the Middle East.
