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Updated February 2024
Have you ever wanted to step into the Taurus Express but under less risque circumstances? Or wondered what it was like to ride the Orient Express back in the day? Well, you can now put a GPS pin drop to your fantasies in Saudi Arabia. The Dream of the Desert waits for you to step out of your reverie into their luxury train service.
Wego has gathered some intel about the new luxurious train experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Read on to learn more!
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What is the Dream of the Desert Project?
The Dream of the Desert is Saudi Arabia’s first luxury train experience. It is the result of collaboration between Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) and the Italian hospitality company Arsenale Group. This luxury train service will be the first of its kind in the Middle East and regions of North Africa.
The Dream of the Desert promises to be an opulent experience analogous to that of a cruise ship. The trains are being made in Italy. They will have 40 cabins and a maximum capacity of 80 passengers. The trains will be fully customized, and their designs will take inspiration from Saudi style and tradition.
The Dream of the Desert project is worth more than SR200 million, and according to SAR chief executive Bashar bin Khalid Al-Malik, the train service would enable Saudis and tourists to explore more of the Kingdom. This is one of the many initiatives of Saudi Arabi’s National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services to improve the quality of life, develop transportation patterns and support leading national strategies
The Dream of the Desert is going to be a posh experience where modernity meets tradition and blends out to create the best of both worlds.
Please note that we will update more information as and when released by the officials.
Dream of the Desert route
The Dream of the Desert is said to run a 770-mile route across Saudi Arabia’s stunning desert landscapes in conjunction with the city of Hail. It will run from Riyadh, passing through Hail, to the northern city of Al-Qurayat, close to the border with Jordan.
Spanning one to two days, the route encompasses the enchanting regions of Al Qassim, Hail, and Al Jouf. The expedition culminates just 20 miles shy of the Jordanian frontier, at the doorstep of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Nature Reserve.
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Dream of the Desert dates
The exact dates from when the Dream of the Desert will be available for booking are yet to be revealed. You can expect to be able to board the Dream of the Desert train by the last quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025.
According to Arsanale Group CEO Paulo Barletta, one- or two-night journeys on the Dream of the Desert will soon be available for booking.
Please note that we will update more information as and when released by the officials.
