Riyadh Metro Guide: Lines, Fares & Smart Tips

Aug 21, 2026

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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. Spanning roughly 176 km across 6 lines and 85 stations, it connects major districts, business hubs and residential neighbourhoods in one integrated system. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the lines, the fares, how to buy tickets and a few practical tips to make every trip smoother.

The network at a glance

The system is made up of six colour-coded lines that opened in phases starting in 2024, with additional stations coming into service through 2026. Together they form a grid that links the north, south, east and west of الرياض, along with key destinations such as the financial district and major commercial corridors.

6 lines covering about 176 km
85 stations across the city
Integrated with the darb bus system, so your metro ticket also covers connecting buses

Fare classes: Standard vs First Class

There are two ways to travel: Standard and First Class. Both cover the same lines and stations, but First Class offers a more spacious, premium carriage. The right choice depends on your budget and how often you ride.

Standard fares:

SAR 4 — 2-hour pass
SAR 20 — 3-day pass
SAR 40 — 7-day pass
SAR 140 — 30-day pass
SAR 1,260 — annual pass

First Class fares:

SAR 10 — 2-hour pass
SAR 50 — 3-day pass
SAR 100 — 7-day pass
SAR 350 — 30-day pass
SAR 3,150 — annual pass

Student tickets and new options for 2026

Students have a dedicated fare: a SAR 260 ticket valid for 120 days (about four months), available in Standard class only. Both the annual and student tickets were introduced in 2026, giving regular commuters and learners more cost-effective long-term choices.

If you ride most days, the 30-day or annual pass usually works out cheaper than buying individual trips. For occasional visits, the 2-hour or 3-day pass is more than enough.

How passes are timed

Most passes are time-based and start counting from the moment you activate them, so plan your purchase around when you'll actually travel:

The 2-hour, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day passes run continuously from activation
The student ticket is valid for four months
The annual ticket is valid for 12 months

Because timing starts at activation and not at first tap, avoid buying a multi-day pass days before you intend to use it.

How to buy tickets

There are two simple ways to pay for your journeys:

The darb app — buy and manage tickets from your phone, top up and choose your fare class digitally
The Darb Card — a physical card you can get from the ticket vending machines at stations

Whichever method you choose, remember your ticket also covers the connecting darb buses, making it easy to reach destinations that aren't right next to a station.

Practical tips for a smooth ride

Match the pass to your habits: daily commuters save with the 30-day or annual pass, while visitors do fine with short-term options.
Activate at the right time: since passes count down from activation, start them on the day you begin travelling.
Use buses to close the gap: plan trips that combine the metro with darb buses to reach areas beyond walking distance.
Keep the app handy: managing everything digitally saves you queuing at machines during busy hours.
Confirm details officially: line openings and station additions have rolled out over time, so check the official channels for the latest operating stations and any updates before a first trip.

With low fares, a growing network and one ticket that also covers buses, the Riyadh Metro is one of the easiest ways to get around the capital — for residents settling in and newcomers exploring the city alike.

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