A train with the charm of times past that traverses at a slow pace the desert expanses of Saudi Arabia, with private suites, a dining car and interiors inspired by the traditions of local hospitality. It may sound like a movie scene, but this journey really exists: it is the Dream of the Desert project, the new ultra-luxury train developed by the Italian Arsenale, the first in the world dedicated to ultra-luxury rail travel in the desert.
Reservations are officially open and the first departures are scheduled from Riyadh for October 2027, but how much does it cost to experience this decidedly one-of-a-kind adventure? The prices are not exactly within everyone’s reach: traveling as a couple requires sums that would make even a luxury vacation pale.
The journey aboard the Dream of the Desert
The project bears the signature of Arsenale, an Italian group specialized in high-end hospitality, and in its first configuration it features 24 private suites, a dining car and a Majlis carriage, which draws inspiration from the Saudi tradition of spaces dedicated to gathering and hospitality.
The experience is designed to alternate time spent on board with excursions into the regions traversed: exclusive experiences are planned in the destinations reached by the train. For the inaugural season, two itineraries are proposed in the northern part of Saudi Arabia: The Desert Kingdoms and Shadows of Aja.
The Desert Kingdoms lasts 4 days and 3 nights and visits the regions of Al Jouf and Hail, with one of the most scenic experiences planned at Dumat Al-Jandal: the historic Marid Castle will serve as the backdrop for a gala dinner accompanied by a show blending music, storytelling and theatrical performances. The program then continues among the mountains of Aja, with encounters linked to local traditions, Arabian horses, poetry and music.
The second itinerary, Shadows of Aja, lasts 3 days and 2 nights between Hail and Al Qassim. Here the program includes off-road excursions through the mountainous landscapes, a dinner under the desert sky and a star-gazing experience guided by astronomers. The second part of the route leads among the palm groves of Al Qassim, where meetings with farmers and artisans and a gastronomic experience dedicated to local products, from dates to Saudi coffee, are planned. In some periods of the year, the journey may also include the salt flats of Al-Awshaziyah.
Additionally, a future itinerary dedicated to AlUla is already planned, the futuristic observatory that will merge astronomical research and memorable immersive experiences.
How much does it cost to travel on the Dream of the Desert
And here we come to the question that many are probably asking: how much does it take to board the Dream of the Desert? The starting fares are decidedly substantial: 86,250 Saudi riyals, equal to about 20,670 euros for a couple, for a suite and a two-night journey. The price includes VAT and refers to the shortest option among the inaugural ones.
The amount includes the overnight stay in the private suite, catering both on board and during the stops, and the experiences planned by the itinerary. It is therefore a package that covers not only the train travel but also the activities organized in the locations traversed.
For those who desire an even more exclusive experience, there are also private departures and customized formats, with services that may include dining, entertainment, cultural activities and wellness moments. For these proposals, the program and the related costs depend on the type of experience chosen.
Reservations for the inaugural season are already open through the project’s official website. Dream of the Desert presents itself as one of the most exclusive rail experiences in the world: a journey through boundless landscapes, Saudi traditions and five-star comfort, where luxury comes with a jaw-dropping price.
