Reservations are open, with the first commercial departures scheduled for October 2027.
The Desert Kingdoms runs for four days and three nights; Shadows of Aja lasts three days and two nights.
The train’s first phase will feature 24 suite cabins, a restaurant carriage and a Majlis carriage.
The first departures from Riyadh are scheduled for October 2027, with two routes through northern Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s next big travel experience comes with a window seat. Dream of the Desert has opened reservations for its ultra-luxury train journeys, with the first commercial departures scheduled for October 2027.
Billed as the world’s first ultra-luxury desert journeys by train, Dream of the Desert puts Saudi landscapes, food and hospitality at the centre of the experience. Its first phase will feature 24 suite cabins, a dedicated restaurant carriage and a Majlis carriage inspired by the country’s gathering traditions. Between excursions, guests can settle into their suites, share stories in the lounge and sample dishes rooted in Saudi culinary traditions.
Itineraries
The first itinerary, The Desert Kingdoms, spans four days and three nights, taking in Al Jouf and Hail. At Dumat Al-Jandal, Marid Castle becomes the backdrop for the Legends of Marid Gala Dinner and Signature Show, pairing theatrical performances, music and lighting with a candlelit meal celebrating Al Jouf’s cuisine. A private escape into the Aja Mountains brings guests among red and purple granite peaks, with Arabian horses, poetry and local hosts adding context to the landscape.
For a shorter escape, Shadows of Aja covers Hail and Al Qassim over three days and two nights. Guests head into the Aja Mountains by 4×4 for mountain exploration, encounters with Saudi riders and evenings of storytelling and music. Dinner beneath the stars is followed by sessions with specialist astronomers, who explore the celestial stories and navigation traditions once used by travellers across Arabia.
In Al Qassim, the focus shifts to its date palms and agricultural traditions. The Oasis Table brings together farmers, artisans, regional ingredients, Saudi coffee and live cooking for a farm-to-table experience. Depending on the season, the itinerary may also include Al-Awshaziyah’s white salt landscapes.
Ageel Al-Shaibani, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “Dream of the Desert is another important milestone in Saudi’s tourism journey, bringing together our rich heritage, extraordinary landscapes and world-class hospitality in an entirely new travel experience. Through the world’s first ultra-luxury desert journeys by train, we are bringing Saudi’s northern regions to broader global audiences and showcasing the diversity of its destinations and experiences. As Saudi continues to invest in world-class tourism destinations and expand its appeal on the international stage, we invite our global travel trade partners to be among the first to discover these opportunities and bring them to travellers around the world.”
How to book
In 1947, the first railway line was constructed in Saudi Arabia. In 1981, Riyadh Dry Port was opened, and in 2018, the Haramain high-speed railway was introduced. In a bid to create environmentally friendly modes of transport, the Kingdom has also been testing out hydrogen-powered trains.
Designed as a five-star destination on wheels, prices for Dream of the Desert start from SAR 86,250 per couple, per suite, for a two-night journey, suite accommodation, dining on and off the train, and all signature experiences.
Get ready to hop on board.
Contact: www.dreamofthedesert.com