Dream of the Desert opens bookings for Saudi luxury desert rail journeys

Dream of the Desert has opened reservations for ultra-luxury rail journeys through northern Saudi Arabia, with first commercial departures set for October 2027. The inaugural season launches with two signature itineraries and private charter options as Saudi Arabia expands high-end tourism offerings.

Why it matters: - Dream of the Desert is positioning Saudi Arabia’s first ultra-luxury desert train as a new tourism product for international travelers. - The launch adds a high-end rail experience tied to Saudi Arabia’s heritage, landscapes and hospitality goals. - First departures in October 2027 give the travel trade a long booking window for a new destination-led luxury offering.

What happened: - Dream of the Desert opened reservations for its ultra-luxury rail journeys through northern Saudi Arabia. - The announcement was made at World Travel Market London. - The first commercial departures are scheduled for October 2027. - International travelers and travel advisors can now book from the first available departure dates.

The details: - The train will depart from Riyadh and travel through northern Saudi Arabia. - The first phase includes 24 suite cabins, a dedicated restaurant carriage and a Majlis carriage inspired by Saudi hospitality. - The experience combines onboard luxury with curated encounters in destinations along the route. - The inaugural collection includes two journeys: The Desert Kingdoms and Shadows of Aja. - The Desert Kingdoms is a four-day, three-night trip through Al Jouf and Hail. - The route includes Dumat Al-Jandal, where Legends of Marid Gala Dinner and Signature Show transforms the historic castle into an immersive evening with storytelling, music, light and a theatrical performance. - The Desert Kingdoms also includes a candlelit gala dinner inspired by Al Jouf’s culinary traditions. - The journey continues into the Aja Mountains for a private wilderness escape among red and purple granite peaks. - That experience includes Arabian horses, local hosts, poetry, music, fire and storytelling. - Shadows of Aja is a three-day, two-night journey through Hail and Al Qassim. - The route includes a 4x4 desert excursion in the Aja Mountains with mountain exploration, Arabian horses, Saudi riders, storytelling, art and music. - At night, dinner is served outdoors before specialist astronomers share celestial stories and navigation traditions. - In Al Qassim, the journey includes encounters with farmers, artisans and storytellers. - The Al Qassim experience ends with The Oasis Table, a farm-to-table dining experience centered on regional produce, Saudi coffee, dates, live cooking and local traditions. - Seasonally, the route may extend to the white salt landscapes of Al-Awshaziyah. - The collection will expand with a dedicated journey to AlUla, with more details to come. - Dream of the Desert will also offer private journeys, including The Signature Escape, The Desert Odyssey, and private departures of The Desert Kingdoms and Shadows of Aja. - Private journeys can include dining, entertainment, cultural discovery, wellness and destination experiences tailored to the occasion. - Journey prices start from SAR 86,250, or GBP 17,250 and USD 22,997, per couple, per suite, for a two-night journey including VAT, a private suite cabin, onboard and offboard dining and signature experiences. - Full details and bookings are available at Dream of the Desert.

Between the lines: - Saudi Tourism Authority CEO Ageel Al-Shaibani framed the project as a milestone in the kingdom’s tourism journey and a way to bring northern Saudi Arabia to broader global audiences. - Raffaele Breschi, CEO of Arsenale International and general manager of Dream of the Desert, said the project is meant to connect rail, hospitality, culture and destination discovery into one experience. - The emphasis on private access, curated experiences and destination dining shows a push toward experiential luxury rather than transport alone. - The planned AlUla extension suggests the product is meant to grow beyond the initial northern routes.

What's next: - The first travelers are set to board in October 2027. - Dream of the Desert says more details on the AlUla journey will be revealed soon. - The company is now selling the inaugural season to travelers and international travel advisors. - Private journeys and future route expansions could broaden the product beyond the initial two itineraries.