Riyadh Metro Guide: Lines, Fares & Travel Tips

Oct 29, 2026•4 min read

The Riyadh Metro has reshaped how people move around the Saudi capital, turning long drives across the city into quick, air-conditioned rides. With six lines now in operation, fares that start at just a few riyals, and a single app to plan and pay for every trip, getting around the city has never been simpler. This Saudi Living guide walks you through the lines, the fares, operating hours, and a handful of tips to make your journeys smooth from the first tap to the last.

The six lines at a glance

The network is built around six colour-coded lines that connect major districts, universities, government hubs, and the airport. Transfers between lines are included in a single fare, so you can mix and match routes to reach almost any corner of the city.

Blue Line: SAB Bank to Ad Dar Al Baida.
Red Line: King Saud University to King Fahd Sports City.
Orange Line: Jeddah Road to Khashm Al-An.
Yellow Line: مركز الملك عبدالله المالي to King Khalid International Airport terminals.
Green Line: Ministry of Education to the National Museum.
Purple Line: مركز الملك عبدالله المالي to An Naseem.

Fares: what a ride actually costs

Single trips are priced by time rather than distance, which makes planning easy. A regular ticket costs SAR 4 and is valid for two hours, during which you can take unlimited metro and bus trips, including transfers between lines. If you prefer the First Class experience, a two-hour ticket costs SAR 10.

For frequent riders, passes offer better value:

Regular passes: SAR 20 for three days, SAR 40 for seven days, SAR 140 for 30 days, and SAR 1,260 for a full year.
First Class passes: SAR 50 for three days, SAR 100 for seven days, SAR 350 for 30 days, and SAR 3,150 annually.
Student pass: SAR 260 for four months, available for Regular Class only.

Note that the student pass and the annual passes apply from 1 January 2026. For the latest pricing and any updates, confirm through the official metro channels before you buy.

Operating hours

The metro runs on a consistent weekly schedule:

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

If you are travelling early on a Friday, keep the later start time in mind and plan an alternative for the first few hours of the day.

Buying and using your ticket

There are two easy ways to get a ticket: the Darb application or the ticket machines you'll find at every metro station. Darb tickets and cards work seamlessly across both the metro and the connected bus network, so one payment covers your whole journey.

A typical trip follows these simple steps:

Plan your route in the Darb app.
Buy or activate your ticket.
Tap in at the entry gate.
Follow the line colours and interchange signs to reach your platform.
Tap out at your destination gate.

For ordinary metro travel you won't need any of the usual government portals such as أبشر or مقيم — a Darb ticket or card is all it takes.

Tips for smoother journeys

Allow extra time at interchanges: Switching lines can involve a short walk between platforms, so build in a few minutes if you have a connection to catch.
Use the Yellow Line for the airport: It links مركز الملك عبدالله المالي directly to the terminals at King Khalid International Airport, making it the natural choice for flights.
Let Darb do the planning: The app handles route planning, station details, ticket purchase, and live service updates, so it's worth keeping on your phone.
Pick the right pass: If you ride daily, the 30-day or annual pass quickly pays for itself compared with buying single tickets.
Travel off-peak when you can: Mornings and early evenings on weekdays are busiest, so a slightly earlier or later trip can mean more space and shorter waits.

The bottom line

With six lines, affordable fares, generous two-hour validity, and a single app that handles everything from planning to payment, the Riyadh Metro is one of the easiest ways to get around the city. Download Darb, choose the ticket or pass that fits your routine, and you'll be gliding across الرياض in no time.

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