Riyadh Metro 2025: Complete Guide to Lines, Stations, Prices and Operating Hours

Riyadh Metro is one of the largest public transport projects in the world and the longest driverless metro network globally. After 12 years of construction and an investment exceeding $22.5 billion (84 billion SAR), all six metro lines became fully operational in January 2025, marking a transformative milestone in the Saudi capital's transportation system.

In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know about Riyadh Metro: lines and stations, ticket prices, operating hours, and booking methods.

Riyadh Metro Overview

The Riyadh Metro project comprises an integrated network featuring:

6 main lines spanning 176 kilometers with 85 stations, including 8 major interchange stations. The metro serves approximately 1.16 million passengers daily.

Opening Phases:

• December 1, 2024: Blue, Yellow, and Purple lines

• December 15, 2024: Red and Green lines

• January 5, 2025: Orange line (full completion)

The Six Metro Lines

Blue Line (Line 1) - Olaya/Batha Corridor:

Extends 38 km with 22 stations, connecting north and south Riyadh via Olaya Street and Batha Street to Al-Hair. Key stations include King Abdullah Financial Center, Olaya, and Qasr Al-Hokm.

Red Line (Line 2) - King Abdullah Road:

Extends 25.3 km with 13 stations, running east-west along King Abdullah Road between King Saud University and the Eastern Sub-Center.

Orange Line (Line 3) - Madinah Road:

The longest line at 40.7 km with 19 stations, starting from near Jeddah Highway in the west to Khashm Al-An in the east. Connects the airport to the city.

Yellow Line (Line 4) - King Khalid Airport Road:

Extends 29.6 km with 9 stations, directly connecting King Khalid International Airport to King Abdullah Financial Center.

Green Line (Line 5) - King Abdulaziz Road:

Extends 12 km with 12 stations along King Abdulaziz Road corridor.

Purple Line (Line 6) - Abdulrahman bin Auf Road:

Extends 29 km with 8 stations along Abdulrahman bin Auf Road and Sheikh Hassan bin Hussein Road.

Major Stations

Riyadh Metro features 4 major interchange stations at line intersections:

1. King Abdullah Financial Center (KAFD) Station:

The largest and most distinctive, designed by architect Zaha Hadid. Connects three lines with integrated services and parking facilities.

2. Qasr Al-Hokm Station:

Located at Batha and Madinah Road intersection, connecting Blue and Orange lines. Features Islamic architectural design.

3. Olaya Station:

Major interchange point in the heart of the commercial district.

4. Diplomatic Quarter Station:

Connects Blue and Green lines, near the National Museum and King Abdullah Park.

Ticket Prices

Standard Class Tickets:

• 2-hour ticket: 4 SAR

• 3-day ticket: 20 SAR

• Weekly ticket (7 days): 40 SAR

• Monthly ticket (30 days): 140 SAR

First Class Tickets:

• 2-hour ticket: 10 SAR

• Monthly ticket: 350 SAR

Free: Children under 6 years travel free.

How to Book Tickets

You can book Riyadh Metro tickets through several methods:

1. Darb App:

The official public transport app for Riyadh, available on iOS and Android. Enables ticket booking, train tracking, and peak time information.

2. Mada/Bank Cards:

Pay directly at gates using your bank card.

3. Vending Machines:

Available at all stations for instant ticket purchase.

4. Riyadh Bus App:

Issues digital tickets for both metro and buses.

Operating Hours

Regular Hours (after September 2025 update):

• Saturday - Thursday: 5:30 AM to 12:00 Midnight

• Friday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight

Ramadan Hours:

• Sunday - Thursday: 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM

• Friday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 AM

• Saturday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM

Peak Hours:

• Morning: 7:00 - 9:00 AM

• Evening: 4:00 - 7:00 PM

Key Features

• Driverless: World's longest autonomous metro network

• Eco-friendly: 20% of energy from solar panels

• High speed: Up to 80 km/h

• Traffic reduction: Eliminates 2 million daily car trips

• Comprehensive coverage: Serves residential, commercial, and government areas

Tips for Using the Metro

• Download the Darb app to track trains and arrival times

• Avoid peak hours when possible for a comfortable journey

• Purchase tickets in advance to skip queues

• Use interchange stations to transfer between different lines

• For airport access, use the Yellow or Orange lines

For assistance: Contact the unified support center at 19933

Riyadh Metro represents a quantum leap in the Kingdom's public transport system, embodying Vision 2030's commitment to infrastructure development and improving quality of life in the capital.