New UAE luxury train could cost $5,000 per night when it launches in 2028

The 15-carriage “hotel on wheels” is expected to connect the mountains of Fujairah with Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Liwa desert.

A new luxury train offering private suites, fine dining and journeys across the UAE could cost passengers as much as $5,000 per person per night when it launches in 2028.

Italian hospitality company Arsenale Group is developing the 15-carriage train in partnership with Etihad Rail, with plans to create one of the Middle East’s most exclusive travel experiences.

The UAE train’s ticket prices have not yet been announced. However, Arsenale chief executive Paolo Barletta has said fares for the company’s comparable Dream of the Desert service in Saudi Arabia are expected to range from $3,000 to $5,000 per person per night.

That is equivalent to approximately AED11,000 to AED18,400, including accommodation, dining and onboard activities.

The Saudi train is due to launch first, providing a potential indication of how Arsenale will position its UAE service.

Barletta previously said the Etihad Rail luxury train could begin operating in 2028 “if all goes according to plan”.

Luxury train

The train is expected to cross the UAE from the mountains and coastline of Fujairah to the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi, passing through major cities including Dubai.

Earlier plans indicated that it could also travel towards the border with Oman and eventually join a wider GCC rail network.

The 15 carriages are being developed in Italy, where Arsenale specialises in creating luxury railway experiences. The company is also behind Saudi Arabia’s Dream of the Desert and Italy’s La Dolce Vita Orient Express.

The UAE service is expected to operate more like a rail cruise than a conventional passenger train, allowing travellers to spend one or more nights onboard while stopping at destinations around the country.

Arsenale has not yet revealed the train’s final interior design, number of suites, complete route or booking arrangements.

However, the experience is expected to pay tribute to Emirati culture and heritage while combining private accommodation with restaurants and shared hospitality spaces.

The journey could take passengers from the Hajar Mountains and Fujairah coastline through Dubai and Abu Dhabi before reaching the dunes and oases surrounding Liwa.

Middle East luxury rail travel

Arsenale’s Saudi project provides the clearest indication of what UAE passengers might eventually receive for the price.

Dream of the Desert features private suites, presidential accommodation, two restaurant cars and a majlis-style lounge. Its interiors were designed to combine Italian craftsmanship with visual references to Saudi landscapes and culture.

The company has described luxury trains as “hotels on wheels”, targeting affluent travellers seeking an alternative to traditional resorts and cruise ships.

The UAE project would also add a new luxury tourism product to Etihad Rail’s expanding passenger network.

Scheduled passenger services began between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi in June 2026, with Dubai expected to be added to the network later this year.

Etihad Rail eventually plans to connect all seven emirates, creating the infrastructure needed for both regular intercity travel and more exclusive tourism-led journeys.

A future GCC railway could make the luxury service even more ambitious. Barletta has previously raised the possibility of passengers travelling between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman as regional rail connections develop.