Riyadh Metro Guide: Lines, Fares & Smart Tips

The Riyadh Metro has transformed how people move around the Saudi capital, offering a fast, air-conditioned and affordable alternative to sitting in traffic. Whether you are a long-term resident commuting to work, a newcomer finding your way around, or a visitor exploring the city for a few days, understanding the lines, fares and ticketing options will help you get the most out of the system. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through everything you need to know to ride with confidence.

The network at a glance

The Riyadh Metro is a six-line network stretching across roughly 176 km of track. It is designed to connect major districts, business centres, universities and residential areas, and it is fully integrated into Riyadh's wider public transport system. That integration matters: your metro ticket can also cover connecting bus journeys, so you can plan door-to-door trips across the city on a single fare in many cases.

Fares and ticket types

Fares are simple and predictable, with two classes: Regular (standard) and First Class. Here is how the pricing breaks down:

• Regular class: SAR 4 for a 2-hour ticket, SAR 20 for 3 days, SAR 40 for 7 days, SAR 140 for 30 days, and SAR 1,260 for an annual pass.
• First Class: SAR 10 for a 2-hour ticket, SAR 50 for 3 days, SAR 100 for 7 days, SAR 350 for 30 days, and SAR 3,150 for an annual pass.
• Student pass: SAR 260 for 120 days, available in standard class only.

The annual and student ticket options are the newer additions for 2026, while the popular short-pass prices (SAR 4 / 20 / 40 / 140) remain unchanged.

How the passes actually work

It helps to know the difference between time-based and duration-based tickets:

• The 2-hour ticket is time-based. It is a flat rate and covers your metro travel plus bus transfers within that two-hour window, regardless of distance.
• The 3-day, 7-day, 30-day and annual passes are duration-based, giving you unlimited travel for that period.
• The student pass is valid for one academic term, or 120 days.

This flat-rate approach makes budgeting easy — there are no complicated zone calculations to worry about.

Where and how to buy tickets

You have a couple of straightforward options for buying and topping up:

• The Darb app — the easiest way to purchase and manage tickets from your phone.
• Station ticket vending machines and the Darb card — ideal if you prefer paying in person or want a reusable travel card.

Tap in and out as directed at the gates, and keep your ticket or card handy for the duration of your journey.

Travelling with children and families

Families will appreciate that children aged 6 and under travel free, which makes the metro an economical choice for days out. The spacious, air-conditioned carriages are comfortable for little ones, and the step-free access at many stations makes strollers easier to manage.

Tips to get the best value

• Short city visit? Choose the 3-day pass. At SAR 20, it is the cheapest flexible option for most visitors who plan to hop on and off over a weekend.
• Daily commuter? The 30-day pass at SAR 140 will almost always beat buying individual tickets, and the annual pass offers even more savings for year-round riders.
• Only making one or two trips? The SAR 4 two-hour ticket is unbeatable and even covers a bus connection.
• Students should carry proper identification and use the SAR 260 term pass for the best long-term rate.
• Plan around peak times and download the Darb app before you travel so you are not queuing at machines.

With clear, low fares and a growing, well-connected network, the Riyadh Metro is one of the simplest ways to explore and get around the capital. For the latest routes, station updates and any fare changes, always confirm details through the official channels before you set off.

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