Riyadh Metro Guide: Lines, Fares and Tips

The Riyadh Metro has transformed how people move around the capital, offering a fast, air-conditioned alternative to busy roads and parking struggles. With a modern network reaching key destinations across the city, it is now one of the easiest ways to get around — whether you are commuting to work, heading to the airport, or exploring Riyadh for the first time. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the lines, fares, hours and practical tips to make every trip smooth.

The network at a glance

The Riyadh Metro spans six color-coded lines covering around 176 km with 84 stations. The lines are the Blue, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green and Purple lines, and together they connect neighborhoods across الرياض with major hubs including مطار الملك خالد الدولي and مركز الملك عبدالله المالي.

• Blue, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green and Purple lines
• 84 stations across roughly 176 km of track
• Direct access to the airport and the financial district

Fares explained

Fares are flat and time-based rather than distance-based, so a short hop costs the same as crossing the city on a single valid ticket. There are two travel classes — Regular and First Class.

Regular class:

• SAR 4 for 2 hours
• SAR 20 for 3 days
• SAR 40 for 7 days
• SAR 140 for 30 days
• SAR 1,260 for one year

First class:

• SAR 10 for 2 hours
• SAR 50 for 3 days
• SAR 100 for 7 days
• SAR 350 for 30 days
• SAR 3,150 for one year

Students have a dedicated option: a four-month ticket for SAR 260, valid from the moment it is activated and available in Regular class only. Both the annual tickets and the four-month student ticket took effect on 1 January 2026.

One ticket for metro and bus

A valuable detail many riders overlook: a valid time-based ticket covers unlimited trips on both the metro and Riyadh buses throughout its validity period, including transfers between them. This makes the 7-day, 30-day and annual passes especially worthwhile if your daily routine involves a mix of metro and bus legs.

How to buy and board

The simplest way to ride is through the Darb app. Buy and activate your ticket in the app, then scan its QR code at the station gates to enter and exit. If you prefer, station ticket machines are also available for purchases. Darb doubles as your journey planner — use it to map metro and bus routes, check connections and manage your active tickets in one place.

Operating hours

Plan around these times so you are not caught out at the end of the day:

• Saturday to Thursday: 5:30 a.m. to midnight
• Friday: 10:00 a.m. to midnight

For live service updates, check the Darb app or call 19933.

Tips to travel smart

• Match the ticket to your trip: choose the 2-hour ticket for a single outing, and the 30-day or annual pass if you travel often.
• Remember fares are flat: distance does not change the price, so the metro is excellent value for longer cross-city journeys.
• Combine metro and bus: since one pass covers both, let Darb suggest the fastest mix for your route.
• Heading to the airport? The network reaches مطار الملك خالد الدولي, so factor in flight times against operating hours.
• Keep your phone charged: you will need the QR code to pass through the gates, so a backup power source is handy on long days.

With a little planning in the Darb app, the Riyadh Metro becomes one of the most reliable and affordable ways to move around the capital — comfortable, predictable and easy on the budget.

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