Luxury Desert Train Design Marks New Era for Saudi Railways

Saudi Arabia Railways shows stunning designs for Dream of the Desert train, which marks the Kingdom’s first step into five-star luxury rail tourism. The pioneering project features 34 exclusive luxury suites spread across 14 elegant carriages. Travelers will enjoy an intimate experience through the country’s dramatic desert landscapes.

The exceptional Saudi train will cover 1,300 kilometers on the Northern Railway network from Riyadh to Qurayyat when operations begin in Q3 2026. The desert dream experience combines Saudi heritage with modern luxury. Rich earthy tones, luxurious textiles, and intricate handcrafted details capture the desert’s mystical spirit. Through collaboration with Italian luxury hospitality group Arsenale, Saudi Arabia Railways demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to become a premier global tourism destination under Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia unveils Dream of the Desert luxury train

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Saudi Arabia revealed the final designs for the Dream of the Desert during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit. This milestone marks progress in the agreement Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Arsenale, the Italian luxury hospitality company, signed last year.

The saudi train stands out with its polished chrome exterior and violet accents that make it different from regular rail services. SAR commissioned Arsenale Group to build this luxury train that will cover 1,300 kilometers on SAR’s Northern Railway network from Riyadh to Qurayyat near the Jordanian border.

The project goes beyond transportation to create a complete cultural trip. SAR works with the Ministry of Culture to showcase carefully selected cultural programs that emphasize regional traditions. The Saudi Tourism Authority and the Center for Development Authorities Support are creating special tourism routes to help travelers learn about Saudi heritage.

“The Dream of the Desert train is proof of our commitment to this vision, delivering innovative solutions that lift both the transport and tourism sectors,” said Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of SAR, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser.

SAR CEO Bashar bin Khalid AlMalik explained, “We attract global investments to bring advanced transport solutions that support economic growth and regional connectivity. The Dream of the Desert train shows how private and public sector entities can work together to create exceptional experiences in luxury transport”.

The train will run as a “traveling five-star destination”, and booking details and exclusive packages will appear soon on the official website. This project shows Saudi Arabia’s push to build world-class infrastructure while offering exceptional travel experiences that strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a leading global tourism destination.

Architect Aline Asmar d’Amman leads design vision

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Lebanese-French architect Aline Asmar d’Amman brings her unique vision to the Dream of the Desert luxury train project as lead designer. Her impressive portfolio includes work on the Hotel de Crillon in Paris. Saudi Arabia Railways chose her to show their dedication to building a world-class travel experience.

D’Amman’s design approach blends Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage with modern luxury elements. She has created interiors that capture the desert’s mystical spirit through careful material selection and thoughtful space planning. The design uses earth-toned colors that match the surrounding landscape. This creates a natural flow between the train’s interior and the scenery outside.

“The challenge was to create a moving destination that captures the essence of Saudi Arabia’s magnificent landscapes while providing unparalleled luxury,” d’Amman said about her approach to the Saudi train design. She picked premium fabrics and added detailed handcrafted elements throughout the 14 carriages.

The train’s interior features subtle nods to traditional Saudi art and architecture with a modern twist. All but one of these 34 luxury suites showcase custom furniture and artwork that honors local traditions.

D’Amman’s vision goes beyond just looks to include the complete passenger experience. She designed several social spaces with dining areas and observation lounges. These spaces let passengers interact while enjoying spectacular desert views.

The architect worked with local craftsmen to add authentic Saudi artistry to various design elements. This partnership helps the train meet international luxury standards while celebrating local artistic traditions. The result matches Vision 2030’s goals of showcasing Saudi cultural heritage.

“The Dream of the Desert train represents a perfect harmony between tradition and innovation,” said d’Amman. Her design changed a simple mode of transport into a destination itself. Now travelers can enjoy Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty without giving up comfort or sophistication.

Project aligns with Vision 2030 tourism goals

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The Dream of the Desert train serves as the life-blood of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework. This ambitious plan wants to broaden the economy and establish the Kingdom as a leading global tourism destination. Saudi Arabia’s high-end tourism and cultural sector will benefit directly from this luxury rail service.

Tourism investment in Saudi Arabia will exceed AED 2937.55 billion over the next decade. The Kingdom expects to attract 70 million international tourists annually by 2030. These efforts show promising results already, with the country’s international arrivals growing 56% in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Saudi Arabia Railways and the Ministry of Culture have formed a partnership to enhance the train’s cultural elements. Passengers will enjoy literature clouds, short stories, audio libraries, and Saudi culinary arts throughout their experience. Train stations will showcase artistic and craft works to preserve Saudi’s cultural identity.

“This project reflects the Kingdom’s ambitious drive to develop world-class infrastructure while offering exceptional travel experiences that reinforce Saudi Arabia’s status as a premier global tourism destination,” stated Engineer Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services.

The Saudi Tourism Authority works alongside the Center for Development Authorities Support to create specialized tourism itineraries that naturally merge with the train experience. These packages will help travelers learn about Saudi heritage and position the Kingdom as a must-visit destination for luxury tourism.

The project goes beyond transportation by acting as a cultural ambassador. The cultural ministry’s collaboration will bring local art forms, music, and legends into the experience. The desert dream will welcome its first passengers in late 2026, combining transportation with cultural tourism. This initiative could reshape regional travel experiences and set new benchmarks for luxury tourism worldwide.

The Dream of the Desert train marks a bold step that will reshape the scene of Saudi Arabia’s tourism. This groundbreaking project serves many strategic purposes beyond just transportation. The luxury train sets a new measure for high-end travel experiences across the Middle East, which strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a premium global destination.

Saudi Arabia Railways shows its steadfast dedication to excellence through collaboration with Arsenale Group while preserving local heritage. The carefully designed carriages showcase Aline Asmar d’Amman’s artistic vision. They blend Saudi’s traditional elements with modern luxury to create a moving display of the Kingdom’s cultural identity. This balance between tradition and breakthroughs strikes a chord with travelers who seek authentic yet comfortable experiences.

The project’s timing lines up with broader national goals. Vision 2030 wants to broaden the Saudi economy, and tourism plays a vital role in this transformation. The Kingdom’s commitment shows in its investment of over AED 2937.55 billion in the tourism sector for the next decade. The 56% growth in international arrivals in 2023 proves these strategic investments have started to pay off.

Cultural elements woven throughout the train experience boost its appeal. Saudi Arabia Railways and the Ministry of Culture work together to let passengers experience literature, culinary arts, and artistic traditions during their travels. These features combined with specialized tourism routes give travelers unique access to Saudi heritage.

Saudi Arabia has grown beyond its image as just a religious tourism hub through ambitious projects like the Dream of the Desert. The luxury train will welcome its first passengers in late 2026 and represents the Kingdom’s rise as a diverse tourism powerhouse. This project does more than connect places—it links travelers to Saudi Arabia’s rich history while showcasing its bold future.