Saudi Arabia's newly launched Riyadh Metro has transformed urban transit into an architectural destination. The driverless system opened in December 2024 and spans 176 kilometers across six lines, making it the world's longest automated metro network.
The $22.5 billion project features 85 stations, but four stand out for their design. Qasr Al Hokm Station, opened in February 2025, reaches 40 meters underground and covers seven floors with curved steel canopies reflecting the historic district above.
The network already exceeded expectations by transporting 100 million passengers within months of opening. Trains run every four minutes at peak times, but limited seating means riders often stand on busy routes.
Fares start at $1 for two hours, and the system operates from 5:30 a.m. to midnight most days. Expansion plans call for a seventh line connecting entertainment districts and cultural sites across the capital.
The $22.5 billion project features 85 stations, but four stand out for their design. Qasr Al Hokm Station, opened in February 2025, reaches 40 meters underground and covers seven floors with curved steel canopies reflecting the historic district above.
The network already exceeded expectations by transporting 100 million passengers within months of opening. Trains run every four minutes at peak times, but limited seating means riders often stand on busy routes.
Fares start at $1 for two hours, and the system operates from 5:30 a.m. to midnight most days. Expansion plans call for a seventh line connecting entertainment districts and cultural sites across the capital.
