A luxury cruise train project for travel in Saudi Arabia has been presented in Riyadh. The "Dream of the Desert" train, which is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2026, is intended to become the first five-star train in the region.
The project is a joint development of Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and the Italian brand Arsenale S.p.A.
The idea is to reflect the culture and heritage of the kingdom in the design of the train cars, to include architectural motifs of the kingdom's landmarks and to add an element of luxury, to which Saudis are so drawn.
The overall tone of the cars is sandy, with gold, beige and darker tones combined with chrome fittings.
This train is a five-star hotel on wheels with bedrooms in a glamorous Art Deco style with emerald sofas, headboards and curtains, the walls of the cars are decorated with wooden panels.
The reception halls have the feel of a majlis - a room in a Saudi house where guests are greeted - and include geometric patterns and hand-carved wooden elements. Attention to detail extends to public areas. The corridors will be decorated with works of art and photographs of cultural sites in Saudi Arabia, and the exterior of the train is a combination of polished chrome with accents of purple.
The 14-car train will have 34 luxury rooms, and the restaurant menu will be compiled by "local and international chefs," as noted in the released press release.
The route will run from Riyadh along the SAR Northern Railway. "Curated cultural programs" will be organized for guests in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture, as well as "unique tourist routes that will organically fit into the train journey."
Earlier, SAR said in a press release that Dream of the Desert will operate "luxury train cruises" from the capital, Riyadh, to Qurayyat, which is located near the northern border with Jordan.
The 1,300-kilometer route will pass through the country's desert landscapes and will stop in the city of Hail during one- and two-day trips.
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