Saudi Arabia Railways Achieves Record 2025 Milestones and Unveils 'Dream of the Desert' Luxury Train

Record-Breaking Operational Success in 2025

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has announced unprecedented operational milestones for the year 2025, solidifying its crucial role in the Kingdom's logistics and tourism sectors. The national railway operator successfully transported over 14 million passengers, marking a substantial increase from the 11.2 million passengers recorded in 2023. This growth highlights a rising preference for rail travel for both daily commuting and pilgrimage within Saudi Arabia.

In addition to passenger services, SAR's freight operations also saw remarkable expansion, moving 30 million tons of freight in 2025. This represents a significant jump from approximately 24 million tons transported in 2023, driven by increased industrial demand and mining logistics. The transportation of this volume of freight by rail effectively removed an estimated 2 million truck journeys from the Kingdom's highways, leading to a saving of 139 million liters of fuel and a reduction of 364,000 tons of carbon emissions. These environmental benefits directly contribute to the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative.

'Dream of the Desert' Luxury Train Unveiled

A standout achievement for SAR in 2025 was the official unveiling of the 'Dream of the Desert,' the first luxury train service of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa. Developed in partnership with the Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale Group, this service aims to redefine rail tourism by offering a 'rail cruise' experience inspired by the classic Orient Express, infused with a distinct Saudi Arabian identity.

The 'Dream of the Desert' features 40 custom-designed luxury cabins and is designed to accommodate up to 82 guests. The train's interior, designed by architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d'Amman, blends contemporary opulence with rich Saudi cultural heritage, featuring earthy tones, luxurious textiles, and intricate decorative details. The project represents an investment of approximately SAR 200 million ($53.33 million).

A Journey Through Saudi Heritage

The luxury train's route will traverse approximately 1,300 kilometers from Riyadh to Al-Qurayyat along the Northern Railway network. The journey includes stops at significant cultural heritage sites such as Hail and Jouf, transforming the travel experience into a destination in itself. While officially launched in 2025, the 'Dream of the Desert' is scheduled to commence its inaugural operations by the end of 2026. Pre-reservations for this exclusive experience are currently open, with prices starting from SAR 30,000 per night.

Contributing to Vision 2030

These record-breaking figures and the launch of the 'Dream of the Desert' underscore SAR's pivotal role in realizing Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030. By providing efficient, sustainable, and innovative transport solutions, SAR is not only enhancing connectivity and economic diversification but also elevating the Kingdom's profile as a global tourism destination. The company's commitment to environmental sustainability and high-quality service aligns with the nation's strategic objectives for a prosperous future.