Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Saudi railway basics: two SAR lines from Riyadh
The Saudi railway lines covered here are run by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). Two passenger lines start in Riyadh. The East Line runs to Hofuf, Abqaiq and Dammam. The North Line runs to Al Majma'ah, Qassim, Ha'il, Al Jouf and Qurayyat, near the Jordan border.
Tickets are per person. Fares and timetables change, so check SAR's official website or app for today's details. This guide covers the stations and how to get to and from them by taxi.
SAR stations at a glance
Distances are approximate road distances. Fares are per car for an economy sedan.
| Station | Line | Serves | Nearest destination | Taxi from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh North Station | North Line | Riyadh | Olaya and central Riyadh, about 15 km | SAR 60 |
| Riyadh Station (East Line) | East Line | Riyadh | Olaya and central Riyadh, about 10 km | SAR 60 |
| Al Majma'ah Station | North Line | Al Majma'ah | Al Majma'ah town, about 10 km | SAR 60 |
| Qassim Station | North Line | Buraydah and Unaizah | Buraydah, about 20 km | SAR 60 |
| Ha'il Station | North Line | Ha'il | Central Ha'il, about 15 km | SAR 60 |
| Al Jouf Station | North Line | Sakaka and Al Jouf | Sakaka, about 20 km | SAR 60 |
| Qurayyat Station | North Line | Qurayyat | Qurayyat town, about 10 km | SAR 60 |
| Hofuf Station | East Line | Al Ahsa | Central Hofuf, about 5 km | SAR 60 |
| Abqaiq Station | East Line | Abqaiq | Abqaiq town, about 5 km | SAR 60 |
| Dammam Station | East Line | Dammam, Al Khobar and Dhahran | Central Dammam, about 8 km | SAR 60 |
Riyadh has two stations: which one do you need?
The two SAR lines use different stations in Riyadh. North Line trains use Riyadh North Station, about 15 km from Olaya and 25 km from King Khalid Airport (RUH). East Line trains use Riyadh Station on the East Line, about 10 km from Olaya and 40 km from the airport. Check your ticket for the station name before you book a taxi.
Riyadh traffic is heavy at rush hour and in the evening, so leave early for departures. If you carry a lot of luggage, ask for an SUV, which takes up to 7 passengers and 6 suitcases.
East Line: Riyadh, Hofuf, Abqaiq and Dammam
Dammam Station is about 8 km from central Dammam, 25 km from Al Khobar and 45 km from King Fahd International Airport (DMM). Flat fares apply within Dammam, Al Khobar and Dhahran.
Hofuf Station is about 5 km from central Hofuf and is the gateway to the Al Ahsa Oasis; an hourly driver suits oasis tours. Abqaiq Station is about 5 km from the town. Gate passes are needed beyond some checkpoints there, so pre-book your onward ride to plants and compounds.
North Line: Al Majma'ah, Qassim, Ha'il, Al Jouf and Qurayyat
- Al Majma'ah Station: about 10 km from town. Taxis are limited, so pre-book your onward ride.
- Qassim Station: about 20 km from Buraydah and 30 km from Unaizah. Pre-book during the dates festival season in late summer.
- Ha'il Station: about 15 km from central Ha'il. Jubbah rock art is a half-day trip from the city.
- Al Jouf Station: about 20 km from Sakaka and 50 km from Dumat Al Jandal.
- Qurayyat Station: the northern end of the line, about 10 km from town and near the Jordan border. Cross-border trips to Amman can be arranged with the right documents.
Train or taxi for these routes?
The train is priced per person, and you need taxis to and from the stations. A taxi goes door to door at one price per car, which often works out simpler for three or more people, families with luggage and trips to a compound, plant or hotel door. See our Riyadh to Dammam taxi and train comparison.
| Route | Road distance | Taxi time | Taxi fare from (per car) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh to Dammam | 400 km | 4 h | SAR 680 |
| Riyadh to Al Ahsa (Hofuf) | 326 km | 3 h 55 min | SAR 560 |
| Riyadh to Al Majma'ah | 190 km | 2 h | SAR 330 |
| Riyadh to Buraydah | 330 km | 3 h 30 min | SAR 570 |
| Riyadh to Ha'il | 640 km | 6 h 30 min | SAR 1,090 |
| Riyadh to Sakaka | 980 km | 10 h 30 min | SAR 1,670 |
Tips for SAR travellers
- Send us your train number and arrival time; the driver waits at the station exit.
- Pre-book onward rides at smaller stations, where taxis are limited.
- Carry your passport or Iqama; you may be asked for ID at the station and at road checkpoints.
- Winter nights in Ha'il, Al Jouf and Qurayyat can be cold, so keep a warm layer handy.
- For late-night arrivals, a 20% night surcharge applies between 00:00 and 05:00 and is shown in the quote.