Riyadh Metro Guide: Lines, Fares & Rider Tips

The Riyadh Metro has transformed how people move around the Saudi capital, offering a fast, air-conditioned and fully driverless alternative to sitting in traffic. Whether you are a new resident finding your way around or a long-time local looking to cut your daily commute costs, this guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the lines, the fare structure, and the practical steps to ride with confidence.

The network: 6 lines at a glance

The metro is a driverless network of roughly 176 km spread across 6 color-coded lines. Together they connect major business districts, residential neighborhoods, universities and key transport hubs. The backbone lines you will use most are:

• Blue Line (Line 1): runs north–south through the heart of the city.
• Red Line (Line 2): runs east–west, crossing the city.
• Orange Line (Line 3): a major corridor linking eastern and western districts.
• Three shorter feeder lines: connecting residential areas and important hubs into the main network.

Because the lines interconnect, you can transfer between them at shared stations to reach almost any part of Riyadh without touching your car.

How fares work

One of the best things about the Riyadh Metro is that fares are time-based and flat across the whole network — the price does not depend on how far you travel. You pay for a window of time (or a pass), not for distance.

Standard-class fares:

• 2-hour ticket: SAR 4
• 3-day ticket: SAR 20
• 7-day ticket: SAR 40
• 30-day ticket: SAR 140
• Annual ticket: SAR 1,260

First-class fares:

• 2-hour ticket: SAR 10
• 3-day ticket: SAR 50
• 7-day ticket: SAR 100
• 30-day ticket: SAR 350
• Annual ticket: SAR 3,150

The 2-hour ticket is especially handy: it allows unlimited transfers between the metro and connected buses for 2 hours from your first check-in — ideal for short round trips or errands.

Discounts: students and children

• Student semester pass: available in standard class only for SAR 260, valid for 120 days (one academic term). This pass has been in effect since 1 January 2026.
• Children under 6 years: travel completely free.

Buying tickets: the Darb app and cards

Tickets and passes are managed primarily through the Darb mobile app (available for iOS and Android, in both Arabic and English) and at ticket vending machines found in every station.

You have two ways to pay and enter:

• QR-code tickets: generated inside the Darb app and scanned at the fare gates directly from your phone.
• Darb contactless card: a reloadable card with a typical purchase fee of around SAR 10 (non-refundable). You can top it up with anywhere from SAR 5 to SAR 200 at station machines using cash, Mada, or Apple Pay.

How to ride, step by step

1. Download and register in the Darb app.
2. Select your ticket type: 2-hour, 3-day, 7-day, 30-day, annual, or the student pass.
3. Pay via card or Apple Pay in the app, or use a vending machine in the station.
4. At the gate, scan your app QR code or tap your Darb card to enter.
5. Keep your ticket or card ready again when you exit or transfer.

Smart tips for daily riders

• If you commute daily, compare the 30-day pass (SAR 140 standard) against buying individual 2-hour tickets — the monthly pass usually pays for itself quickly.
• Because fares are time-based, plan connected trips within your 2-hour window to get the most value from a single ticket.
• Keep your phone charged; a dead battery can leave you without a QR code. A Darb card is a reliable backup.
• First class offers more space and comfort at a higher price — worth it on busy corridors if budget allows.
• Always confirm the latest fares, timings and any updates on the official Riyadh transport and Darb channels before you travel, as details can change.

With a flat, distance-free fare system and a simple app, the Riyadh Metro is one of the easiest ways to get around the capital. Set up Darb once, choose the pass that fits your routine, and you are ready to skip the traffic.

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