Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What is the Riyadh Metro?
The Riyadh Metro is the capital's urban railway. It opened to the public in stages from December 2024 and has six lines, each with its own colour, running across the city. One of the lines serves King Khalid International Airport. Together with the city's public buses, it lets visitors cross Riyadh without a car for trips along its routes.
This guide does not list stations, opening hours or fares, because the operator sets them and they can change. Use the official Riyadh Metro and Darb app or the official website for the current network map, hours and ticket prices. What follows is how to fit the metro into your trip, and where a taxi or driver fills the gaps.
What should you check before you ride?
- Your route in the official app: which line, which stations, and whether you need to change lines.
- How to buy a ticket or pay, and whether you need a card or the app.
- Operating hours on your day of travel, including Fridays and public holidays.
- The walk from the station to your hotel, office or event, and how much of it is in the sun.
- Any rules for luggage, pushchairs and bulky items.
- The station exit closest to where you are going, since large stations can have several.
Riyadh Metro to the airport: is it right for you?
The metro charges per person from the airport, while a taxi charges one fixed price per car to your door. Which is better depends on your bags, your group and the time you land. Our airport taxi and metro comparison sets out both.
| What matters | Riyadh Metro | Pre-booked taxi |
|---|---|---|
| Door to door | Station to station | Arrivals hall to your door |
| Luggage | Best with light bags | Any amount that fits the vehicle |
| Late-night landings | Limited by operating hours | 24/7, with a 20% surcharge from 00:00 to 05:00 |
| Price | Per person; check the official app | From SAR 60 per car |
| Changing lines | May be needed for your hotel | None |
| Families and groups | A ticket for each person | One price for the whole car |
First and last mile: the walk to and from the station
Riyadh is spread out, and many hotels, offices and venues are a walk or a short ride from the nearest station. In summer, even a short walk in the midday sun is tiring with bags, so check the distance in the app before you set off.
A short taxi from the station fills the gap. City rides start from SAR 60 per car; send the driver the station name and the exit you will use, and share your live location on WhatsApp when you arrive. Our Riyadh getting-around guide compares all the city's options.
Metro, taxi or driver: which for which trip?
| Trip | Good choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Airport, one small bag, hotel beside a station | Metro | Low fare per person and no road traffic |
| Airport with family or luggage, or a late landing | Pre-booked taxi | Driver at arrivals, door to door |
| Daily commute along one line | Metro | Avoids rush-hour traffic on the roads |
| Several meetings across districts in one day | Hourly driver | One car that waits at each stop, from SAR 80 per hour |
| An evening event or Diriyah | Taxi with a booked return | Check whether the venue is near a station |
| Edge of the World | SUV with driver | Far outside the network, with an unpaved last stretch |
Events and Riyadh Season
Riyadh Season, usually from October to March, brings concerts, shows and food zones across the city, and evening traffic around them is heavy. Before an event, check in the official app whether a station is near the venue and when the last trains run.
If the venue is not near a station, or you will leave late, book a taxi with the return time agreed in advance. Drop-off points for large events can move with the event layout, so the driver confirms the point on the day.
Tips for first-time riders
- Download the official app before you travel and set up payment while you have Wi-Fi.
- Travel outside the morning and evening rush when you carry bags.
- Keep your ticket or card until you leave the station, in case you need it at the exit.
- Follow station signs and staff instructions, including any areas of the train set aside for particular passengers.
- Keep a taxi as your back-up if plans change, with our WhatsApp number saved.