Riyadh Metro Guide: Lines, Stations, Fares and Hours
All six Riyadh Metro lines with their colours, routes and station lists, plus Darb card rules, ticket prices and opening times. Pick a line to see its stations, or search the whole network in one box.
The six Riyadh Metro lines
The network is numbered one to six: Line 1 Blue runs north to south through Olaya and Al Batha, Line 2 Red crosses King Abdullah Road, Line 3 Green serves the ministries quarter, Line 4 Orange is the longest route through the historic centre, Line 5 Purple arcs across the north-east, and Line 6 Yellow is the airport line.
Three stations act as the main interchange hubs: KAFD, Qasr Al Hokm and National Museum, with Western Station and STC named as iconic stops. Plan transfers before you tap in, because platform changes can take a few minutes in a large station.
Darb cards, tickets and fares
Darb is the official Riyadh public transport app and card. Buy a reusable physical card once for 10 SAR and top it up, or buy and activate a pass in the app, at a vending machine or at a station ticket office. Contactless bank cards are also accepted at gates where indicated.
Fares are time-based rather than distance-based: a 2-hour pass covers a single trip and any bus or metro legs you join inside the window, while the 3-day, 7-day and 30-day passes suit longer stays. Children aged six and under travel free, and eligible students, seniors, passengers with disabilities and several other groups pay half after validating documents at a ticket office.
Hours, help and house rules
Metro trains run from 5:30 AM to midnight from Saturday to Thursday, with a later 10:00 AM start on Friday. Buses run 5:00 AM to midnight every day, and Ramadan, Eid and public holiday timings can differ — always check the Darb app before you travel.
Riyadh Public Transport customer care answers on 19933, and every station has staff or a help button on the ticket machines. Food and drink are not allowed on board except in closed, spill-proof containers.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is a Riyadh Metro ticket?
- The regular fares are 4 SAR for a 2-hour pass, 20 SAR for 3 days, 40 SAR for 7 days and 140 SAR for 30 days. First Class costs 10, 50, 100 and 350 SAR for the same pass lengths. The 2-hour pass is the base fare for a single journey.
- What is the Darb card and do I need one?
- Darb is the official Riyadh public transport card and app used for both metro and buses. You can buy a reusable physical card once for 10 SAR and top it up, or buy and activate tickets in the app. Contactless bank cards are accepted at gates where indicated, so a Darb card is convenient rather than compulsory.
- Can I reach the airport by metro?
- Yes. Line 6 Yellow runs along King Khalid International Airport Road and serves the airport terminal stations, including Airport T1-2, Airport T3-4 and Airport T5 where service is available. It connects the terminals with KAFD and northern Riyadh.
- What are Riyadh Metro operating hours?
- Trains run 5:30 AM to 12:00 AM from Saturday to Thursday and 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM on Friday. Buses run 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily. Ramadan, Eid and public holiday timings may differ, so check Darb before travelling.
- Who qualifies for a discounted fare?
- The Royal Commission for Riyadh City lists a 50% discount for eligible public education students aged 6 to 18, seniors aged 60 and above, people with disabilities, cancer patients and first-degree relatives of martyrs, after the required documents are validated at a ticket office. Children aged 6 and under travel free.
- Are the fares and times on this page official?
- They are indicative figures published for travellers and can change. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Riyadh Public Transport and the Darb app are the authoritative sources — and customer care on 19933 will confirm live timings, closures and fares.