Saudi Arabia's First Luxury Train ‘Dream of the Desert' To Launch In 2026, Here's What To Expect
Taking inspiration from the historic Hejaz Railway that once connected Damascus to Medina, the Dream of the Desert will travel from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat in the north.
Saudi Arabia is all set to welcome luxury travellers with its first-ever high-end train service – Dream of the Desert – scheduled to launch in 2026.
Launch Timeline
The Dream of the Desert is expected to begin operations by the third quarter of 2026. Details on ticket prices and travel packages are set to be announced in the coming months, as per Onmanorama.
Dream of the Desert: All You Need To Know
The Dream of the Desert will feature 14 beautifully designed carriages, housing 34 private suites. Inspired by the shifting sands of the desert, the interiors will be filled with warm earthy tones, elegant furnishings, and detailed craftsmanship.
Each suite will include a private bathroom, and some will even have hot bathtubs.
Food lovers will be spoiled for choice with a menu that spans traditional Arabian delicacies to global gourmet dishes, all made with fresh ingredients by renowned international chefs.
Guests can unwind in luxurious lounges, enjoy a good book, or gaze at the stars through lounges with glass ceilings. The train will also offer cigar lounges and intimate cinema rooms, making the entire journey feel like a five-star retreat.
To honour local traditions, the Saudi Ministry of Culture is working closely with the Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) and Italy's Arsenale Group to weave in music, art, and folklore throughout the journey.
Inspired by the legendary Hejaz Railway—which once connected Damascus to Medina—the Dream of the Desert brings a modern twist to an iconic route. Starting from Riyadh, the train will travel all the way to Al Qurayyat in the north, with stops at historic spots like Hail and several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
First Published:
June 13, 2025, 08:10 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Taj Mahals Secret Underground Chambers Video LEAKED: Man Films Way Down To Forbidden Tomb
The inside and underground chambers of the world-famous Taj Mahal in Agra have long remained off-limits to the public, which have continued to spark curiosity and speculation amongst enthusiasts for decades. Despite being one of the most visited monuments in the world, a large part of what lies within this iconic Mughal structure is still a mystery. Now, a recently surfaced video claims to offer a glimpse inside the legendary architectural masterpiece. The now-viral video, shared by an Instagram page "@dinbhar_bharat_", shows a person descending a staircase. Toward the end of the clip, a room appears, illuminated by a light, containing two tomb-like structures. WATCH TAJ MAHAL VIRAL VIDEO HERE: According to several media reports, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), in 2022 released images of two spots where maintenance work was undertaken in shut underground cells on Taj Mahal's riverside. Taj Mahal Structure Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Arjumand Bano Begum, who was known as Mumtaz Mahal. According to ASI's official website, her mortal remains were temporarily buried in the Zainabad garden; however, sis months later her body was transferred to Agra to finally lay her to rest in the crypt of the main tomb of Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. "The main tomb of the Taj is basically square with chamfered corners. The minarets here are detached, facing the chamfered angles (corners) of the main tomb on the main plinth. Red sandstone mosque on the western, and Mehman-Khana on the eastern side of the tomb provides aesthetically a clear colour contrast," as per the ASI website. Taj Mahal Tourism Taj Mahal is widely popular with people coming from all corners of the world to visit the Mughal-era architecture structure that stands as the symbol of love. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being 'the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage'. It stands as a symbol of Mughal architecture and India's rich history. As per the official website, Taj Mahal attracts around 7 to 8 million visitors a year.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Andhra Tourism Minister submits DPRs for projects worth Rs 270 crore to Centre
VIJAYAWADA: Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh on Monday announced that Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has assured strong support for the State's tourism and cultural development initiatives. Durgesh, who met Shekhawat in New Delhi along with Union Tourism Additional Secretary and Director General Suman Billa, submitted detailed project reports (DPRs) for three major projects worth about Rs 270 crore aimed at boosting tourism, preserving cultural heritage and creating local employment. The proposals include a Rs 103 crore Cultural Centre in Lepakshi with enhanced tourist facilities, a Rs 99.87 crore Experience Centre in Lambasingi to provide immersive visitor experiences, and Rs 77.32 crore Tent Cities near Buddhist Circuit sites such as Thotlakonda and Nagarjunakonda to extend tourist stays. Durgesh also pressed for Lepakshi's inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list to elevate its global recognition. Further, he proposed a regional Lalit Kala Akademi Centre in Visakhapatnam, a Kalakshetra auditorium at GVR Music and Dance College in Vijayawada, and a regional Sahitya Akademi Centre to preserve and promote the Telugu language, literature, music, dance and drama in the post-bifurcation era. The minister also raised the need to reprint the Suryarayandhra Nighantuvu (dictionary), as suggested by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, to preserve it for future generations. In addition, he sought `100 crore for an Integrated Experience, Interpretation and Information Centre (APTEIC) in Amaravati. Union Minister Shekhawat responded positively, sanctioning several projects under schemes such as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and PRASAD.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Scoot Enhances Connectivity with New Routes to Chiang Rai, Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda)
INDIA - Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), today announced the launch of new flight services to Chiang Rai in Thailand, and Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda) in Japan. These flights will commence progressively between December 2025 and March 2026, offering more options for holidaymakers planning their year-end and new year travels. Located in the northernmost part of Thailand, Chiang Rai is known for its mountainous grandeur and serene atmosphere. Deeply rooted in Lanna heritage, its ethnic population is diverse with different hill tribes. Its multiculturalism is further reflected in the province's architecture, cuisine and art. Scoot will begin five times weekly flights to Chiang Rai on 1 January 2026 on the Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. Okinawa, Japan's subtropical paradise, is an archipelago of islands known for its pristine beaches, clear waters, and unique Ryukyu heritage. Home to cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage sites, Okinawa offers an immersion into the rich history and natural beauty of the land. Scoot will also launch services to Tokyo (Haneda), providing travellers an alternative and convenient way to access the bustling capital of Japan. Three times weekly flights to Okinawa will begin on 15 December 2025 on the Airbus A320 family aircraft, while daily flights to Tokyo (Haneda) will begin on 1 March 2026 on the Boeing 787 Dreamliners. One-way economy class fares start from INR 17,500 to Tokyo (Haneda) and Okinawa, and from INR 10,500 to Chiang Rai. With seamless connections via. Singapore, Indian travellers can now explore these destinations with Scoot. The new flights will be available for booking from today via Scoot's website, mobile application, and progressively through other channels. With the launch of services to Chiang Rai, Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda), Scoot will operate 111 weekly flights to Thailand and 45 weekly flights to Japan. With the new additions to its network, the airline will operate to 76 destinations (including Singapore) across 18 countries and territories in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe. Aside from the new destinations, Scoot will be increasing flight frequencies within its network to support anticipated demand for air travel during the upcoming holiday periods. In Southeast Asia, flights to Bangkok increased from 35 to 39 times weekly from August 2025. Ipoh will see increased services from 17 to 21 times weekly from November 2025. Chiang Mai will also see progressive increase in frequencies to 14 times weekly by December 2025, up from seven times weekly. In North Asia, services to Tokyo (Narita) (via Taipei) will progressively increase to 14 times weekly from October 2025, up from 12 times weekly. Services to Sapporo (Hokkaido) (via Taipei) will also increase from four to seven times weekly from December 2025. Correspondingly, services between Singapore and Taipei will gradually increase from 23 to 25 times from October 2025 and 25 to 28 times from December 2025. Additionally, flights to Jeju will increase from five to seven times weekly from January 2026. In Europe, frequencies to Vienna will increase from three to four times weekly from March 2026. Mr Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer of Scoot, shared, "We are thrilled to expand Scoot's network in Asia with new routes to Chiang Rai, Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda), offering our customers even more travel options. In addition, the upcoming increase in services to some cities will support stronger demand for air travel during the year-end and new year holiday periods. We will continue to look for opportunities to connect our customers to new travel experiences and memorable journeys with Scoot.'
