Arsenale CEO says Dream of the Desert train on track for 2027 launch

Paolo Barletta, CEO of Italy Arsenale Group SpA

Paolo Barletta, CEO of Italy’s Arsenale Group SpA, said the first carriages of the “Dream of the Desert” luxury train will arrive in early 2026 for technical testing, with commercial service expected to start in 2027.

Speaking to Argaam on the sidelines of the ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII9), he said there is no official launch date yet, but expects the train to be operational by late 2026.

Barletta said the carriages are being built at Arsenale’s factory in Italy, noting that the project faced several challenges over the past two years, including technical and feasibility issues, which were resolved in cooperation with Saudi Railway Co. (SAR).

The train will include 36 suites and operate on Saudi Arabia’s existing rail network, with its main route running from Riyadh through Hail to Al-Jouf.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s major rail investments and the expansion of the Gulf railway network, expressing hopes to eventually operate routes to Jeddah and possibly other regional destinations.

Ticket prices will be announced once marketing begins, Barletta said, adding that fares are expected to range between $3,000 and $5,000 per person per night, including accommodation, dining, and onboard activities.

SAR and Arsenale announced in January the completion of final designs for the Dream of the Desert, the Middle East’s first five-star luxury train, with total investments of SAR 200 million, according to Argaam’s data.