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. With six colour-coded lines stretching across roughly 176 km and more than 80 stations, it connects major districts, the airport and key landmarks. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the lines, fares, payment options and the practical tips that make every trip smoother.

The six lines at a glance

The network is built around six lines, each with its own colour to make navigation simple:

• Line 1 – Blue
• Line 2 – Red
• Line 3 – Orange
• Line 4 – Yellow (serves مطار الملك خالد الدولي)
• Line 5 – Green
• Line 6 – Purple

If you are heading to the airport, the Yellow Line (Line 4) is your route. Lines 4 and 6 meet at مركز الملك عبدالله المالي (KAFD), one of the network's main interchange points. Always check your route and transfer station before boarding — switching between lines does not cost you an extra fare.

Operating hours

The metro runs on the following schedule:

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

Plan early-morning or late-night trips carefully, especially on Fridays when service begins later.

Fares and passes

Fares are simple and the metro is one of the most affordable ways to get around الرياض. A 2-hour ticket lets you ride both the metro and buses without limit during its validity, including line changes. The validity period starts from your first check-in.

Single 2-hour tickets:

• Regular class: SAR 4
• First class: SAR 10

Regular-class passes:

• 3 days: SAR 20
• 7 days: SAR 40
• 30 days: SAR 140
• Annual: SAR 1,260

First-class passes:

• 3 days: SAR 50
• 7 days: SAR 100
• 30 days: SAR 350
• Annual: SAR 3,150

Students can get a semester pass for SAR 260 covering four months, though first class is not available on this option.

Discounts and free travel

There are savings available for several groups:

• Children up to 6 years old travel free.
• Eligible groups, including students and seniors, may receive a 50% discount.

If you qualify, it is worth confirming the eligibility details and required documents before you travel.

How to pay

You have several convenient ways to pay for your journey:

• Buy tickets or top up a Darb card at station machines, station sales offices, or through the Darb app.
• Station machines accept cash notes, mada cards and credit cards.
• At the gates you can tap a contactless bank card or use mobile payments, including Apple Pay Express Mode.

Note that ordinary passenger tickets are handled entirely through these metro channels — they do not go through أبشر, مقيم, قوى, ناجز, نفاذ or توكلنا.

Practical tips for a smooth ride

• Check your route and transfer station before boarding to avoid backtracking.
• Allow extra walking time at the big interchange stations, especially KAFD, stc, National Museum and Qasr Al Hokm.
• If you travel daily, a weekly or monthly pass quickly pays for itself compared with single tickets.
• Keep your Darb card or contactless card handy for a quick tap at the gate.
• Remember that a single 2-hour ticket also covers buses, making it easy to combine metro and bus trips.

With clear colour-coded lines, easy payment and some of the lowest fares you will find anywhere, the Riyadh Metro is one of the simplest ways to explore the city. A little planning before you leave — knowing your line, your transfer and your pass — is all it takes to ride with confidence.

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