Riyadh Metro Guide: Lines, Fares & Rider Tips

The Riyadh Metro has transformed how the capital moves, giving residents and visitors a fast, air-conditioned and affordable way to cross the city without the stress of traffic. Whether you are commuting to work, heading to the airport, or exploring the city on a weekend, this guide from سعودي ليفنج breaks down the lines, fares, operating hours and the practical tips that make every ride smoother.

The Six Lines at a Glance

The network runs across 6 lines covering 83 stations over roughly 176 km, connecting major districts, business hubs and transport gateways. The lines are colour-coded for easy navigation:

• Line 1 (Blue) — a key north–south spine through central Riyadh.
• Line 2 (Red) — a major east–west route.
• Line 3 (Orange) — the longest corridor crossing the city.
• Line 4 (Yellow) — serves مطار الملك خالد الدولي, ideal for airport trips.
• Line 5 (Green) — links central and southern areas.
• Line 6 (Purple) — connects additional districts across the network.

Operating Hours

All lines follow the same schedule, so planning your day is simple:

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

The later start on Fridays is worth remembering if you have early morning plans on the weekend.

Fares and Ticket Options

The Riyadh Metro offers flexible tickets in two travel classes — Standard (Regular) and First — so you can choose based on your budget and how often you ride. Regular ticket prices for the 2-hour, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day options have stayed unchanged, keeping daily travel very affordable.

• 2-hour ticket: 4 ريال سعودي (Standard) / 10 ريال سعودي (First) — unlimited Metro and integrated Riyadh Bus rides within 2 hours of first validation.
• 3-day ticket: 20 ريال سعودي (Standard) / 50 ريال سعودي (First) — unlimited rides for 3 consecutive days from activation.
• 7-day ticket: 40 ريال سعودي (Standard) / 100 ريال سعودي (First) — unlimited rides for 7 consecutive days.
• 30-day ticket: 140 ريال سعودي (Standard) / 350 ريال سعودي (First) — unlimited rides for 30 consecutive days.

Longer-Term and Special Passes

For regular commuters, longer passes deliver the best value:

• Annual pass: 1,260 ريال سعودي (Standard) / 3,150 ريال سعودي (First) — unlimited rides for 12 months, in force from 1 January 2026.
• Student semester ticket: 260 ريال سعودي (Standard only), valid for 120 days / one academic term, active from 2026.
• Children 6 years and under: travel free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

If you ride daily, do the math: a 30-day Standard pass often costs far less than buying individual 2-hour tickets each day.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Ride

• Validate before you board: the 2-hour, 3-day and other passes count from your first tap, so plan connections accordingly.
• Use the airport line: Line 4 (Yellow) makes مطار الملك خالد الدولي easy to reach without paying for costly rides at peak times.
• Bus integration: your Standard ticket also covers Riyadh Bus within the valid window, so you can combine both to reach destinations away from a station.
• Travel off-peak: mornings and late afternoons are busiest; midday and mid-morning trips are usually calmer.
• First class: it costs more but offers a quieter, less crowded carriage if you value comfort during rush hour.
• Confirm before you plan: always check the latest fares, timings and pass activation dates on the official Riyadh transport portal before relying on them.

Is the Metro Right for You?

For most residents, the answer is yes. With low fares, wide coverage and reliable schedules, the Metro is often the fastest and cheapest way to cross الرياض — especially during rush hour when road traffic slows to a crawl. Casual visitors benefit from the 3-day and 7-day passes, while daily commuters and students save the most with the 30-day, annual and semester options.

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