How much does a Riyadh Metro ticket cost?
Riyadh sells time-based passes rather than single tickets priced by distance. King Khalid International Airport's metro page publishes both classes side by side:
| Pass | Regular class | First Class |
|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | SAR 4 | SAR 10 |
| 3 days | SAR 20 | SAR 50 |
| 7 days | SAR 40 | SAR 100 |
| 30 days | SAR 140 | SAR 350 |
The regular prices match those in Riyadh Public Transport's FAQ, and the SAR 4 two-hour fare dates back to the launch of Riyadh Bus in 2023. Every pass gives unlimited rides across the metro and the bus network within its window, so there is no extra charge for changing lines.
Children aged six and under travel free. The FAQ also lists a 50% discount for eligible groups, including people under 18, students and people aged 60 or over. Check the eligibility conditions with Riyadh Public Transport before counting on it as a visitor.
Which pass should I buy for my stay?
Count how many separate two-hour windows you will travel in, not how many rides. A return trip that takes you out in the morning and back in the evening is two windows. A hop across town with a transfer is one.
| Your trip pattern | Regular 2-hour passes | Better choice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day, 2 trips | 2 × SAR 4 = SAR 8 | 2-hour passes |
| 3 days, 4 trips | 4 × SAR 4 = SAR 16 | 2-hour passes (3-day pass is SAR 20) |
| 3 days, 6 trips | 6 × SAR 4 = SAR 24 | 3-day pass at SAR 20 |
| 7 days, 2 trips a day | 14 × SAR 4 = SAR 56 | 7-day pass at SAR 40 |
| 7 days, 1 trip a day | 7 × SAR 4 = SAR 28 | 2-hour passes |
The break-even points are simple. The 3-day pass pays off from your sixth trip in three days, and the 7-day pass from your eleventh trip in a week. Riyadh Public Transport says passes start when you first use them, so buying a 3-day pass the evening before gives you nothing extra.
First Class follows the same logic at 2.5 times the price. It suits a single journey with luggage or at a busy hour, but a week of First Class travel costs SAR 100 per person against SAR 40 in regular class.
How do I pay: darb card, app or bank card?
The airport lists three ways in, and they all load the same passes:
- Contactless bank card or phone. Tap Apple Pay or a contactless card on the gate reader. Riyadh Public Transport also accepts contactless debit and credit cards on buses.
- darb app. Buy a digital ticket before you reach the gate. The Saudi Press Agency says the app also lets you set your destination and plan the trip.
- darb card. A reusable card sold at ticket vending machines and the Ticket Sales Office for SAR 10, to which you add passes.
For a short stay, a contactless card saves the SAR 10 card fee. A darb card is worth it if your bank charges a fee on every foreign transaction, because one load can cover a whole 3-day or 7-day pass.
Which lines does the Riyadh Metro have?
The network has six driverless lines covering about 176 km, with 85 stations, of which 34 are elevated, 4 at ground level and 47 underground, according to a Saudi Press Agency report from December 2024. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City's open data portal confirms that the lines are now named by colour, with Line 1 as Blue through Line 6 as Purple.
| Line | Colour | Main corridor | Length | Stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Blue | Olaya – Al Batha | 38 km | 25 |
| Line 2 | Red | King Abdullah Road | 25.1 km | 15 |
| Line 3 | Orange | Al Madinah Al Munawwarah Road | 41.1 km | 22 |
| Line 4 | Yellow | King Khalid International Airport Road | 29.7 km | 10 |
| Line 5 | Green | King Abdulaziz Road | 13.3 km | 12 |
| Line 6 | Purple | Abdulrahman bin Auf and Sheikh Hassan bin Hussein bin Ali roads | 28.8 km | 11 |
The corridors come from the SPA announcement of the phased opening; lengths and station counts from the later SPA report. The Blue, Yellow and Purple lines opened on 1 December 2024, according to SPA, with the Red and Green lines following on 15 December and the Orange Line scheduled for 5 January 2025.
Four stations are designated main stations: KAFD, STC, Qasr Al Hokm and Western. Visit Saudi's metro guide lists KAFD among the Yellow Line stops, so you can reach it from the airport without changing trains.
Hours, children and on-board rules
The airport lists metro hours from 6:00am to midnight at its stations. That is the only official timetable figure we could confirm, so check the darb app for the first and last train at your own station, particularly on Fridays and public holidays.
Children aged six and under travel free with a fare-paying adult. The official pages consulted for this guide do not set out luggage limits or women-only and family carriages on the metro. On Riyadh buses, the operator states there are designated family seats at the front and that eating and drinking are not permitted, with food carried in closed, spill-proof containers.
Getting from the airport
The Yellow Line starts at King Khalid International Airport, with stations at Terminals 1 and 2, Terminals 3 and 4, and Terminal 5. Our Riyadh airport to city centre guide compares the metro with taxis and ride-hailing apps. If you plan to drive instead, read the Saudi Arabia rental car and Saher fines guide.