Riyadh Metro Guide: Lines, Fares and Smart Tips

Oct 23, 2026•3 min read

The Riyadh Metro has reshaped how people move around the Saudi capital, offering a fast, air-conditioned and affordable alternative to driving through the city's busy streets. With a modern network spanning the length and breadth of Riyadh, it connects universities, business districts, the airport and major landmarks. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the lines, fares, operating hours and practical tips to help you ride with confidence.

The Network at a Glance

The system is made up of 6 lines, 84 stations and roughly 176 km of track, covering a wide spread of the city. Each line is identified by a colour, which makes planning and switching between routes straightforward once you learn the basics.

Blue Line: SAB Bank to Ad Dar Al Baida.
Red Line: King Saud University to King Fahd Sport City.
Orange Line: Jeddah Road to Khashm Al An.
Yellow Line: مركز الملك عبدالله المالي to مطار الملك خالد الدولي.
Green Line: Ministry of Education to the National Museum.
Purple Line: مركز الملك عبدالله المالي to An Naseem.

The Yellow Line is especially useful for travellers, as it links مركز الملك عبدالله المالي directly with مطار الملك خالد الدولي.

Operating Hours

The metro runs on a consistent weekly schedule, so it's easy to plan around:

Saturday to Thursday: 05:30 to midnight (00:00).
Friday: 10:00 to midnight (00:00).

Before heading out, it's always worth checking the route and operating status through the official Riyadh Public Transport channels, as service details can be updated.

Fares and Passes

One of the most convenient features is that fares are time-based, not distance-based. A valid ticket lets you take unlimited metro and bus journeys during its validity period, including changing lines, without paying again. Choose between Regular and First Class, with the following options:

2-hour ticket: SAR 4 Regular / SAR 10 First Class (expires two hours after activation).
3-day pass: SAR 20 Regular / SAR 50 First Class.
7-day pass: SAR 40 Regular / SAR 100 First Class.
30-day pass: SAR 140 Regular / SAR 350 First Class.
Annual pass: SAR 1,260 Regular / SAR 3,150 First Class.
Student semester pass: SAR 260, valid for four months from activation.

Children under six travel free. Note that the annual and student passes apply from 1 January 2026. If you ride regularly, a weekly, monthly or annual pass quickly becomes far better value than buying single tickets.

How to Buy a Ticket

Buying a ticket is simple and does not require any government app process — no أبشر, مقيم, قوى, ناجز, نفاذ or توكلنا step is involved. You can use the official Riyadh Public Transport ticketing channels, station ticket machines, or a customer-service point. At the station:

Select your ticket type and class (Regular or First Class).
Pay the displayed fare.
Activate or retain the ticket as instructed.
Follow the signs for the correct line and direction of travel.

Tips for a Smooth Ride

Keep your ticket available for inspection throughout your journey.
First Class and Regular areas have separate signage, so follow the markings for the class you paid for.
Because fares are time-based, plan errands and connections to make the most of a single ticket's window.
If you travel to or from مطار الملك خالد الدولي, the Yellow Line is your direct link.
Check station information and service status in advance, especially on Fridays when service starts later at 10:00.

With clear colour-coded lines, affordable time-based fares and a network reaching key destinations across the city, the Riyadh Metro is one of the easiest ways to get around the capital. A little planning goes a long way, and once you're familiar with the lines and passes, it becomes a reliable part of everyday life in Riyadh.

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