Taking the metro is normally little greater than a way to an finish whereas transferring round cities, however Saudi Arabia’s model new Riyadh Metro is popping this notion on its head.
Launched in December 2024, the automated speedy transit system brings new which means to the phrase, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”
Spanning over 176 kilometers, or about 110 miles, throughout six totally different traces, the long-awaited community — the world’s longest driverless metro system — hyperlinks key factors throughout the capital, together with King Khalid International Airport and the King Abdullah Financial District, or KAFD.
Standout stations
Built at a price of $22.5-billion, the system can carry at the very least 3.6 million passengers a day. And it’s stuffed with what can solely be described as architectural marvels.
Riyadh Metro has a complete of 85 stations, with 4 stand outs — King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), STC, Western Station and Qasr Al Hokm.
Located in Riyadh’s historic core, Qasr Al Hokm was designed by Norwegian architectural agency Snøhetta in collaboration with design and consultancy agency ONEWORKS + CREW. Officially opened in February 2025, it supplies direct entry to a number of authorities buildings and landmarks, together with Al-Hukm Palace, Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque and Al Masmak Palace.
But, the station itself has already grow to be a landmark itself. Commuters typically cease to admire its sweeping design.
Covering 22,500 sq. meters, and reaching 40 meters underground, Qasr Al-Hokm is unfold throughout seven flooring, with 17 elevators and 46 escalators. Its curved stainless-steel cover displays pictures of the surrounding district, a deliberate mixing of historical past and modernity.
Inside are outlets, artwork shows and even an indoor backyard, the place vacationers can pause on benches and soak up the area.
For some, the station now rivals established vacationer websites.
Riyadh resident Tricia Ooi, who moved to Riyadh from Malaysia 4 years in the past, says she now recommends Qasr Al-Hokm to guests, together with better-known landmarks like the Sky Bridge and Boulevard World.
“I would say it’s one of the best attractions,” Ooi tells NCS Travel. “Other than the beauty of the station itself, there is a traditional Saudi market — Souk Al Zal — just five minutes away.”
A 30-minute journey from Qasr Al-Hokm is the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Already the busiest station on the community, it options an undulating lattice façade impressed by wind-shaped desert patterns.
The station is as vital as it’s distinctive, serving as a central interchange on the community. It connects three traces, anchors a brand new monorail system and homes a bus terminal.
It additionally homes artworks, together with a sculpture by American Alexander Calder, a part of the everlasting assortment of Riyadh Art.
Western Station, designed by the Riyadh-based structure agency Omrania, opened in the Al Sweedi district in January.
STC Station, which connects two traces, was designed by Germany’s Gerber Architekten, drawing inspiration from limestone formations in Saudi Arabia’s Tuwaiq mountains.
Beyond the visible enchantment, the Riyadh Metro scores sustainability factors with energy-efficient trains that includes regenerative braking techniques. Stations are outfitted with photo voltaic panels.
It’s additionally designed to be very user-friendly.
Visitors to the metropolis should buy a Darb card, a bodily reusable transit card much like New York’s OMNY card, at station machines or use the Darb app.
The metro system run from 5:30 a.m. to midnight, Saturday by Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Fridays. Fares begin at SAR4, or simply over $1, for a two-hour go; SAR 20 buys three days of limitless journey, whereas SAR140 ($37.32) covers a month.
Like other Muslim-majority cities, together with Kuala Lumpur and Dubai, there are separate areas for women and men on board. Riyadh’s trains are is split into three kinds of carriages: singles, households and top notch.
The “singles” vehicles are for males touring alone; household carriages are for ladies and households; and the first-class part is reserved for riders with VIP playing cards.
The interiors, designed by France’s Avant Premiere, are pristine — meals and drinks are banned — and the seat coverings characteristic patterns impressed by conventional Riyadh structure.
So what’s it really wish to journey the Riyadh Metro? The service is fast and environment friendly — trains run each 4 minutes at peak occasions. It’s additionally very clear, with consuming and consuming on the service prohibited.
Seats are comfy, however there aren’t an enormous quantity of them on board, particularly when in comparison with London’s Underground system. The community is made up of two-car trains, fitted with round 55 seats, and 4 automotive trains with 123.
While this creates an ethereal, spacious really feel, it additionally implies that you’ll seemingly end up standing when touring throughout busier occasions, which tends to be early mornings, between from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and late afternoons, from 3 p.m. to six p.m.
Carriages are quiet for the most half, nevertheless it’s not extraordinary for strangers to strike up conversations with every whereas using the rails. In reality, some locals have credited the metro system for serving to to attach folks from totally different social backgrounds.
Some of the stations, akin to KAFD and Qasr Al-Hokm, are large, which might be overwhelming for these new to the Riyadh Metro.
Thankfully, there are regular loads of station workers on hand to supply help to those that could also be struggling to navigate their manner by.
“Today, Riyadh City is reaping the benefits of this project that will reshape the capital’s image and redefine mobility for its residents and visitors,” Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Sultan, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, stated in an announcement final yr.
“The network is in line with Riyadh’s economic, social, environmental, and urban development objectives, and represents a historic milestone in the capital’s transportation sector.”
The achievement is simple, however has the metro eased the metropolis’s automotive dependency and visitors congestion?
The brief reply is no. Traffic stays heavy, and whereas some journeys are faster by metro, others can take twice as lengthy, a consequence of Riyadh’s city format.
Still, inside six months of opening, the community was already outperforming expectations.
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City reported greater than 18 million passengers in the first 11 weeks. Last month, the Riyadh Metro welcomed its 100 millionth passenger.
Its early success has already spurred growth plans. A proposed seventh line will join Qiddiya Entertainment City, King Abdullah International Gardens and Diriyah Gate.
In September, Hassan bin Thabet Street Station was added to the Orange Line.
“Riyadh Metro is going to ease the daily lives and commute of citizens, residents and visitors, offering them a world-class urban travel experience,” added Al Sultan.