Dream of the Desert

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) / Arsenale Group
Saudi Arabia
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The Journey

Navigate from Riyadh (King Khalid International rail head) to Riyadh (return — circular itineraries) across a span of 1300km. This is an overnight service.

Scenery Highlights
  • Nafud Desert dune expanses near Hail and Al Jouf
  • Jubbah UNESCO World Heritage rock-art site (prehistoric petroglyphs)
  • AlUla / Hegra UNESCO World Heritage Nabataean tombs
  • Tuwaiq Escarpment ridgelines south of Riyadh
  • King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    48 hours

  • Distance

    1300 km

  • Est. Price

    Ultra-Luxury

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: All meals included

Ensuite: Yes

Meals: All meals included (bespoke chef menu)

Ensuite: Yes

Track Gauge

1,435 mm (standard gauge) — North–South Railway corridor between Riyadh and Al Qurayyat near the Jordanian border

Braking Technology

Air brakes with passenger-comfort optimisation; regenerative braking where line gradients allow

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 1,300 km route traversing Nafud and Tuwaiq desert expanses with summer temperatures regularly above 45 °C

  • Sand and dust ingress on roof-mounted HVAC and brake systems

  • Sustained water and food-service logistics for 2-night itineraries in remote sections of the Al Jouf corridor

  • Cultural-site excursion coordination at Jubbah (UNESCO) and AlUla (Hegra) including passenger transfer to low-impact tour vehicles

  • Heritage cabin interior weight load on the existing standard-gauge SAR concrete-tie alignment

Operator (commercial)

Arsenale Group (Italian luxury hospitality) in partnership with Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR)

Support

Saudi Tourism Authority and Ministry of Culture

Interior design

Aline Asmar d'Amman (Culture in Architecture, Beirut/Paris) — combines 'Made in Italy' craftsmanship with Saudi cultural heritage

Carriage layout

Two Presidential Suites + 31 Luxury Suites, all with en-suite bathroom and bespoke marquetry

Cuisine

Two fine-dining cars serving Saudi-inspired and Italian-inspired menus curated by international and local chefs

Maximum speed

Up to 200 km/h on the SAR North–South corridor; typical cruise speed 130–160 km/h for comfort

Corridor

Riyadh – Al Majma'ah – Buraydah – Hail – Al Jouf – near Jordanian border at Al Qurayyat

Pre-reservations

Open via reservations.dreamofthedesert.com with a refundable SAR 2,500 priority-list deposit

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    48 hours

  • Distance

    1300 km

  • Est. Price

    Ultra-Luxury

Official Booking Provider