The Riyadh Metro is a true gamechanger—not only for the residents of Saudi Arabia’s capital, but also for travelers like me.
When I first visited Riyadh in 2023, getting around was an adventure in itself. Uber existed, but cars were scarce. Taxis were plentiful, yet most drivers didn’t speak a word of English. One afternoon, I simply wanted to visit the National Museum. Words failed us, so I resorted to showing photos on my phone. It worked—but only after a lot of smiling, guessing, and patience.
Fast forward to my return visit a year later, and everything had changed.
On December 1, 2024, the long-awaited Riyadh Metro finally opened—just in time for my next trip. With a staggering price tag of US$22 billion, this ambitious project reflects Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to sustainable urban living. More than just a transport system, the metro is designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and support Riyadh’s rapid transformation into a global city.
And the world took notice. In 2025, the Guinness World Records officially recognized the Riyadh Metro as the world’s longest fully automated, driverless metro system. Spanning 176 kilometers, it consists of six lines and 85 stations—an astonishing achievement by any standard. That record alone says it all.
Metro Map Riyadh
While riding the metro, I couldn’t help but notice something familiar: the sleek, modern train design reminded me strongly of the metro cars back home in Vienna. It turns out I wasn’t imagining it—an Austrian company was indeed awarded a contract, reportedly for the rolling stock. A small but satisfying personal connection.
“My” station – National Museum
Metro stop – National Museum
The Riyadh Metro is also only the second metro system in Saudi Arabia, following the Sacred Sites Metro Line in Mecca, which so far has been used exclusively by Muslim pilgrims.
A Long Road to Opening
Construction of the Riyadh Metro began in 2014, with plans for the system to be operational just four years later. That timeline proved optimistic. By February 2018, about 68% of the project was completed. By December 2021, officials announced that over 90% was finished and testing was well underway.
Yet the metro remained closed. As an outsider, I couldn’t understand why completed lines weren’t opened gradually. It took the formal inauguration by King Salman for the project to finally move forward, leading to the official opening on December 1, 2024.
Rare view of the metro which is usually backed
A Success Beyond Expectations
Just two weeks later, the verdict was clear: the metro was a massive success. In its first week alone, 1.9 million passengers used the system.
During a conference, I spoke with a female city planner involved in the project. She admitted that many officials had worried whether residents would actually embrace the metro. Her relief was obvious.
Often, people are far more ready for change than planners and politicians expect.
And in Riyadh, that change is now running—smoothly, silently, and driverless—beneath the city.
People Watching on Riyadh’s Metro
Riyadh’s new metro has quietly changed daily life—especially for women. It offers a fast, safe, and incredibly affordable way to get around the city. A regular-class ticket costs just 4 SAR (about €0.90), while first class is 10 SAR. Even if you don’t have a pass, using the metro couldn’t be easier: just tap your credit card at the turnstile and walk in.
Family Action – mostly woemn but also single man can be seen
One of its biggest advantages is that the metro runs all the way to the airport, far north of the city. Helpful employees are always on hand, gently guiding first-time users through the system. Taking the metro to and from the airport saves a surprising amount of money—even though taxis in Riyadh are relatively cheap.
After leaving the airport, the first stretch feels endless. We traveled for about five minutes without a single stop. Gradually, the distances between stations shrink as you move closer to the heart of the city.
Long stretches are above ground- right and easy sightseeing
I found myself fascinated by the orientation displays. Every station is explained visually in several ways: what it looks like on the surface, how the underground levels are arranged, and how lines connect. It makes navigating the system intuitive, even for newcomers.
Also the outside of the station is displayed
The metro cars are divided into different sections: regular, first class, “single,” and “family.” The single section is mostly men, though I did see women there too. The family section is primarily women and families, but occasionally single men ride there as well. The atmosphere feels flexible rather than rigid.
Trains are usually packed. One night, after a late visit to Sports Boulevard, I took the metro back and found the car filled almost entirely with women. One woman struck up a conversation with me, and I asked why everyone was out so late. She laughed and said, “This is Riyadh—we never sleep.” She had just been shopping, and looking around, it was clear she wasn’t alone: many women were carrying large bags filled with newly acquired purchases.
Every station is beautifully designed and spotlessly clean—like most public spaces in Saudi Arabia. But Qasr Al Hokm Metro Station stands out. Located near the renovated historic quarter of old Riyadh and close to Al Masmak Fortress, it feels especially significant. The station features an open pedestrian plaza and a striking polished stainless-steel canopy. The canopy visually connects the different station levels, draws natural light down into the underground spaces, and provides shade for the surrounding public areas.
Qasr Al Hokm Metro Station
If you want to observe everyday Saudi life up close, the metro is the place to be—especially to see Saudi women. At times, it felt like more Saudi women were using the metro than Saudi men, many of whom appear to rely more on cars or are replaced in public transport spaces by foreign workers.
At some stations, women in green uniforms ensure that boarding and exiting happens in an orderly way. Still, I noticed a familiar habit: people sometimes try to enter the train before everyone has fully exited. Some behaviors, it seems, are universal—no matter how new and modern the metro system is.
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