Riyadh Metro Guide

Getting around Riyadh is becoming easier with the city’s modern metro network. The Riyadh Metro connects major districts and destinations across the capital through six automated lines, making it an increasingly useful option for both residents and visitors.

Whether you’re visiting Riyadh for the first time or looking for an alternative to driving, this guide explains how the Riyadh Metro works, what you need to know before travelling, and how to make the most of the network.

Riyadh Metro at a Glance

The Riyadh Metro is part of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport. The network consists of six metro lines covering approximately 176 kilometres across the city.

The system was designed as an integrated public transportation network, connecting the metro with buses and other public transport services.

Riyadh Metro Overview

Riyadh Metro is the backbone of the city’s public transportation network, providing a modern way to travel between major districts and destinations across the capital.

The fully automated metro system consists of six lines covering approximately 176 kilometres and 85 stations. The network was designed to connect densely populated areas with major destinations, including business districts, universities, commercial areas, transport hubs, and King Khalid International Airport.

For visitors, the Riyadh Metro can be a useful alternative to driving, particularly when travelling between destinations located close to metro stations. It can also be combined with buses or ride-hailing services when the final destination is farther from a station.

The metro is part of the wider King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project, which integrates rail and bus services into a city-wide public transportation system.

A Modern Way to Explore Riyadh

The network was designed not only to serve daily commuters but also to improve access to some of Riyadh’s most important destinations.

The metro network connects or provides access toward areas including:

• King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)
• King Khalid International Airport
• Central Riyadh
• Al-Olaya
• Major universities
• Commercial districts
• Government and public facilities

This makes the metro particularly useful for visitors who want to explore Riyadh without relying entirely on a private vehicle.

The Six Riyadh Metro Lines

Riyadh Metro consists of six fully automated lines, each serving a different major corridor of the city. Together, the lines form a 176-kilometre network with 85 stations and connect residential areas with major business districts, universities, commercial areas, transport hubs, and other important destinations.

🔵 Blue Line — Line 1

Route: Al-Olaya – Al-Batha – Al-Hayer Road
Length: Approximately 38 km

The Blue Line runs through some of Riyadh’s central and important urban areas, connecting the Al-Olaya and Al-Batha corridors toward Al-Hayer Road.

For visitors, this line is particularly relevant when exploring central Riyadh and areas around Al-Olaya.

Best for: Central Riyadh • Al-Olaya • Al-Batha

🔴 Red Line — Line 2

Route: King Abdullah Road
Length: Approximately 25.3 km

The Red Line follows King Abdullah Road from east to west. It provides access to several major destinations along one of Riyadh’s important east-west corridors.

RCRC identifies destinations along this line including King Fahd Sports City, King Saud University, and the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. The line also connects with other metro lines at several interchange stations.

Best for: King Abdullah Road • King Saud University • Convention areas

🟠 Orange Line — Line 3

Route: Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road – Prince Saad Bin Abdurrahman I Road
Length: Approximately 40.7 km

The Orange Line serves one of the longest corridors in the Riyadh Metro network, connecting areas along Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Road and Prince Saad Bin Abdurrahman I Road.

The line became the final part of the six-line network to begin passenger operations when the full network rollout was completed in January 2025.

Best for: Western Riyadh • Al-Madinah Road corridor • Cross-city journeys

🟡 Yellow Line — Line 4

Route: King Khalid International Airport Road
Length: Approximately 29.5 km

The Yellow Line is particularly important for visitors because it provides a direct metro connection along the King Khalid International Airport Road corridor.

It also connects the airport area with important destinations toward the city, making it one of the most useful lines to understand when planning your arrival in Riyadh.

Best for: Airport access • Airport Road • Arrivals in Riyadh

🟢 Green Line — Line 5

Route: King Abdulaziz Road
Length: Approximately 12.9 km

The Green Line runs along King Abdulaziz Road and connects several important government, commercial, service, and residential areas.

RCRC identifies destinations and facilities along the corridor including the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, and National Museum.

Best for: Central Riyadh • Government district • National Museum

🟣 Purple Line — Line 6

Route: Abdurrahman Bin Awf Road – Sheikh Hassan Bin Hussain Bin Ali Road
Length: Approximately 29.7 km

The Purple Line serves the eastern side of Riyadh along the Abdurrahman Bin Awf and Sheikh Hassan Bin Hussain Bin Ali road corridors.

It also provides connections with other metro lines, making it useful for passengers travelling between eastern Riyadh and other parts of the network.

Best for: Eastern Riyadh • Connecting with other metro lines • Cross-city travel

Important Stations & Destinations

Some Riyadh Metro stations are particularly useful for visitors because they connect multiple lines, provide access to major districts, or are located near important attractions and business areas.

King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station

KAFD Metro Station serves the King Abdullah Financial District, one of Riyadh’s major business and commercial destinations.

The station is one of the four main stations in the Riyadh Metro network and was designed as a major interchange within the public transportation system. Its distinctive architecture also makes it an attraction in its own right.

The station is particularly useful for visitors interested in:

• King Abdullah Financial District
• Business and corporate areas
• Modern architecture
• Restaurants and cafés
• Riyadh’s contemporary skyline

Best for: Business districts • Modern Riyadh • Architecture

Qasr Al-Hukm District Station

Located in central Riyadh, Qasr Al-Hukm District Station is one of the network’s four main stations and connects the Blue and Orange lines with the bus network.

Its location makes it especially useful for visitors exploring historic central Riyadh. The surrounding Qasr Al-Hukm district includes important historical and cultural sites such as Masmak Palace, Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, and Al-Zal Market.

Best for: Historic Riyadh • Cultural sites • Central Riyadh

Western Metro Station

Western Metro Station is one of the four main stations in the Riyadh Metro network and serves as an important interchange within the system. It is located in western Riyadh and connects metro services with the wider public transportation network.

The station was designed with sustainability and passenger comfort in mind and forms part of the western transport hub of the Riyadh Metro system.

Best for: Western Riyadh • Transfers • Connecting journeys

STC Station

STC Station is one of Riyadh Metro’s four main stations and is located at the intersection of Olaya Street and King Abdullah Road. It provides an important connection between the first and second metro lines.

Its central location makes it useful for visitors travelling around some of Riyadh’s major commercial and business areas.

The station also provides connections to other important destinations along the metro network, making it a useful interchange when travelling across the city.

Best for: Olaya • King Abdullah Road • Transfers

A Useful Tip for Tourists

You do not necessarily need to memorize all 85 stations to use the Riyadh Metro. For most visitors, understanding the six lines and the major interchange stations is enough to plan many journeys.

The official RCRC station dataset provides current station names, line numbers, station types, sequence, and location information if you need to plan a specific route.

How to Use Riyadh Metro

Using the Riyadh Metro is relatively straightforward once you understand how to plan your journey, purchase a ticket, and navigate the stations.

1. Plan Your Journey

Start by checking your departure station and destination before heading to the metro.

The Darb app provides journey-planning tools, route information, station details, and electronic ticketing for Riyadh’s public transport network. It can help you identify the appropriate metro line and any transfers required.

For a more detailed view of the network, the official Riyadh Metro map shows all six metro lines, interchange stations, the airport, and connections with other public transportation services.

Tip: If your final destination is not close to a metro station, consider combining the metro with a taxi or ride-hailing service for the last part of your journey.

2. Choose Your Ticket

Riyadh Metro offers several ways to purchase and use tickets.

According to RCRC, passengers can use a Darb Card, purchase tickets through the Darb app, and use ticketing facilities available at stations. RCRC has also introduced digital payment options for public transportation.

For visitors, using the Darb app can be particularly convenient because it combines journey planning with electronic ticketing.

3. Enter the Metro Station

Once you arrive at your station:

• Follow the signs for the metro.
• Check the line and direction you need.
• Use your selected ticket or payment method at the entry gate.
• Follow the station signs toward the correct platform.

Major interchange stations provide connections between different metro lines, so pay attention to the line color and direction shown on the signs.

4. Board the Correct Train

Before boarding, check the destination displayed on the platform or train.

Riyadh Metro has six color-coded lines, making it easier to identify the route you need.

If your journey requires a transfer, you do not necessarily need to leave the station. Follow the signs directing you toward the connecting metro line.

5. Transfer Between Metro Lines

Some journeys require changing from one line to another.

The official Riyadh Metro network includes designated interchange stations where passengers can transfer between lines. The network map identifies these interchange stations separately.

For example, STC Station is an important interchange between the Blue and Red lines, while other major stations connect additional lines.

Tip: When planning your journey, check the complete route before entering the station so you know where you need to change lines.

6. Exit at Your Destination

When approaching your destination:

• Check the station name.
• Follow the signs toward the appropriate exit.
• Look for nearby landmarks or streets if you are unfamiliar with the area.

Large stations can have multiple exits, and choosing the correct one can save you a significant amount of walking.

Riyadh Metro Ticket Price

RCRC currently lists a SAR 4 single ticket valid for 120 minutes after activation. The same ticketing information indicates that passengers can use the public transport system through several payment channels.

Because ticketing rules and prices can change, we should verify the current fare again when we do the final review of this page.

Using the Metro with Other Transportation

One of the biggest advantages of Riyadh’s public transport system is that the metro does not have to be used by itself.

You can combine:

Metro → Ride-hailing

For example, take the metro to the station closest to your destination and use Uber or another ride-hailing service for the remaining distance.

Metro → Bus

Riyadh’s metro and bus systems are designed as an integrated public transportation network. The official network map shows metro lines alongside bus services and interchange points.

Metro → Walking

For destinations located close to a station, walking may be the simplest option after leaving the metro.

Riyadh Metro Tickets & Fares

Using the Riyadh Metro requires a valid ticket or payment method. The metro operates as part of Riyadh’s integrated public transportation system, which also includes the city’s bus network.

Riyadh Metro Fare

The currently published standard fare is:

SAR 4 — 2-hour ticket

The ticket provides access to the public transportation network for the applicable validity period after activation. Because fares and ticketing policies may be updated, visitors should check the latest official information before travelling.

Ticket Options

For visitors staying in Riyadh for several days, longer-duration passes may be more convenient than purchasing individual tickets for every journey.

Previously published RCRC fare information has included:

Pass	Published Fare
2-hour pass	SAR 4
3-day pass	SAR 20
7-day pass	SAR 40
30-day pass	SAR 140

These fares should be treated as current published guidance rather than permanent prices, because Riyadh Public Transport can update its fare structure and ticketing policies.

Frequently Asked Questions