A new way to see Saudi is on the horizon - one that glides gently across red dunes, olive groves, ancient trade routes and forgotten fortresses. In late 2026, Saudi will unveil Dream of the Desert, the Middle East's first five-star luxury train, inviting travellers to swap airport queues and fast-paced itineraries for slow, scenic discovery.
Running along a 1,300-kilometre stretch of existing railway from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat, near the Jordanian border, the train promises an immersive journey through hidden gems and landscapes rarely explored, where time slows, and heritage comes quietly into focus. With just 34 suites across 14 carriages, the train is designed as a self-contained world. Interiors, conceptualised by Lebanese architect Aline Asmar d'Amman, reflect Saudi craftsmanship and desert aesthetics: gold-laden ceilings, tile-fronted bars, rich velvet banquettes, majlis-style lounges, and curated regional art. The ambition is not just to connect cities, but to draw travellers into a cultural conversation about a country where ancient trade routes once crossed basalt plains, and agriculture bloomed where none was expected.
While the itineraries are still being finalised, five scenic and culturally rich stops are already generating buzz:
1. Riyadh: Where the Journey Begins
At first glance, Riyadh is all steel and skyline. But beneath the polished surface lies a city that serves as both a symbol of Saudi modernity and a gateway to its layered past. Travellers boarding the train here would do well to begin with a visit to the Masmak Fortress, a 19th-century mudbrick citadel that played a pivotal role in the unification of the country. Just a short drive away, the National Museum offers a comprehensive primer on Saudi's history and civilisational shifts. Riyadh's contrasts continue in its shopping landscape: Al Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is ideal for a heritage walk and traditional dining, while malls like Kingdom Centre and Riyadh Park house international luxury brands and restaurants. For a gentler pace, locals often retreat to Wadi Namar, a valley of walking trails, lakes, and picnic spots tucked into the city's urban sprawl. The capital, in many ways, encapsulates the spirit of the Dream of the Desert project: a fusion of heritage and ambition, tradition and transformation.
2. Al Qassim: In the Shade of the Palms
If dates are the soul of Saudi hospitality, Al Qassim is its heart. This lush central province is home to more than eight million date palms, many of which have stood for generations. The train will pause near the Buraidah Dates Market, one of the largest in the world and a bustling centre where farmers, traders and travellers converge under the shade of ancient groves. Here, visitors can taste dozens of varieties, from syrupy Sukari to smoky Khudri, each with its own local tale. Beyond the market, the region's winding canals and mudbrick farmhouses reveal an enduring relationship between people and land; rooted, resilient and remarkably green.
3. Hail: Rock Art and Rolling Sand
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most archaeologically significant regions in Saudi, Hail is best known for its ancient rock art. These carvings, some over 10,000 years old, depict hunting scenes, human figures, and animals long extinct. Etched into basalt outcrops in places like Jubbah and Shuwaymis, they provide a direct line to the Neolithic past.
But Hail isn't just for history lovers. Its vast dunes and basalt peaks invite exploration, whether it's dune bashing, desert hiking or camping beneath stars undisturbed by city lights. A visit to Hail's traditional souk adds another layer: here, travellers can find handmade crafts, fresh local produce and the timeless warmth of northern Saudi hospitality.
4. Al Jouf: Lavender Fields and Olive Groves
You might not expect to see lavender fields in the Middle East, but in Al Jouf, you'll find them blooming every spring. This northern province is fast becoming a quiet agricultural success story, not just for lavender but also for olives, grapes, and figs and other crops that thrive in its volcanic soil and cooler climate. The train's route through Al Jouf is particularly scenic: rows of olive trees, volcanic plateaus, and green belts nourished by underground aquifers. Optional excursions will likely include visits to working farms, olive oil tastings, and perhaps a walk through the fields themselves.
5. Al Qurayyat: The Northern Frontier
The train's final stop, Al Qurayyat, lies within Al Jouf's northern edge, just 30 kilometres from the Jordanian border. A frontier town by both geography and character, Al Qurayyat is defined less by grand landmarks and more by its position; a place where trade routes once passed, and where Saudi's cultural and territorial imagination meets the margins. It is, fittingly, the end of the line. Not a crescendo, but a closing note in a slower, more introspective register.
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