Prospective travellers can now join the priority list for Dream of the Desert, Saudi Arabia’s upcoming ultra-luxury rail experience, with pre-reservations opening ahead of the train’s inaugural season planned for late 2026.
Pricing for the experience is expected to begin from approximately SAR 30,000 (around US$8,000) per cabin, per night, positioning the project firmly within the Kingdom’s growing high-end experiential travel segment.
Those registering early interest will be considered for access to the inaugural season and may also receive invitations to exclusive events connected to the official debut of the project.
The opening of pre-reservations comes as Dream of the Desert enters a more advanced delivery phase, marked by the establishment of a permanent headquarters in Riyadh and the appointment of Raffaele Breschi as General Manager of Dream of the Desert and CEO of Arsenale International.
The move places leadership and operational teams on the ground in Saudi Arabia as the project works toward launch and expands coordination with tourism, cultural and transport stakeholders across the Kingdom.
Breschi, who joined Arsenale Group in 2023 after holding senior positions focused on international expansion and previously serving as a Partner at McKinsey & Company, will oversee the full implementation of the project in Saudi Arabia, including product development, operations and market rollout.
Commenting on the significance of the new Riyadh base, Breschi said: “Establishing our headquarters in Riyadh reflects our commitment to building Dream of the Desert from within the Kingdom.”
He added: “Working alongside our national partners enables us to shape a rail experience that is globally distinctive yet deeply rooted in Saudi culture – one that celebrates the Kingdom’s landscapes, heritage, and hospitality while setting a new benchmark for experiential travel in the region.”
Dream of the Desert is designed to become one of Saudi Arabia’s most distinctive luxury tourism products, combining immersive rail travel with curated destination experiences across the country. The service will operate across more than 1,300 kilometres of existing railway infrastructure, offering journeys of one to three days that blend onboard hospitality with off-train cultural experiences.
Beyond the train itself, the project forms part of Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism transformation strategy, introducing a new category of experiential travel intended to diversify the Kingdom’s luxury offering beyond traditional resorts and hotels.
As anticipation grows around the project, the opening of pre-reservations provides luxury travellers and high-end travel advisors with an early opportunity to secure access to what is expected to become one of Saudi Arabia’s most sought-after experiences.
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Photos: Courtesy of Dream of the Desert
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