Saudi Arabia set to launch luxury train cruise 'Dream of the Desert'

With Saudi Arabia set to host the World Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup, the kingdom is rapidly transforming its image as a new commercial and tourist hub, Design Boom reported.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was for the longest time sealed off from western visitors and has only since 2019 started to welcome international tourists.

The "Dream of the Desert" is another megaproject under Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman's 2030 vision, which aims to welcome 70 million tourists a year.

State-owned Saudi Arabia Railways, in collaboration with Italian company Arsenal Group, is working on the first luxury train in the Middle Eastern country.

According to local media, the $53 million megaproject will begin operations in 2025.

Dream of the Desert will offer a "luxury train cruise" journey covering 1,300 kilometres from the capital Riyadh to Qurrayat.

The train, with a maximum capacity of 82 people, will have 40 luxury cabins and will travel through long stretches of scenic deserts and UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites. Highlights include the city of Ha’il, the Al-Qassim province, and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve in Al Jouf. 

The train will include a fine dining restaurant and a lounge bar, among other amenities.