What is the cheapest way from Riyadh airport to the city centre?

The Riyadh Metro Yellow Line from the underground stations at Terminals 1–2, 3–4 and 5: a SAR 4 two-hour standard ticket (about US$1.05) covers the whole journey, including the Blue Line transfer at KAFD to Olaya or Al Batha — about 45–55 minutes in total, with no airport surcharge.

Can I pay with my bank card on the Riyadh Metro?

Yes — tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, mada card or Apple Pay directly on the fare gate; no ticket purchase is needed. Tap out with the same card at your exit station. Alternatively buy a QR ticket in the darb app or at station vending machines (cards and cash).

How do I get from the airport metro to Olaya or Al Batha?

Ride the Yellow Line to its last stop, KAFD (~30 minutes), then change to the Blue Line towards Al Batha: about 10 minutes to Olaya (Kingdom Centre area) and 20–25 minutes to Al Batha. The transfer is covered by the same 2-hour ticket.

What are the Riyadh Metro operating hours from the airport?

Roughly 05:30 to midnight Saturday–Thursday, and from about 10:00 to midnight on Fridays. If you land after midnight or on a Friday morning, the metro is closed — use Uber/Careem (SAR 55–100) or the airport taxi rank (SAR 80–150, card payment only).

How much is a taxi or Uber from Riyadh airport to the city?

Airport taxis charge about SAR 80–150 to central Riyadh and now accept card payments only; Uber and Careem typically run SAR 55–100 from the designated pickup zones. The metro does the same trip for SAR 4.

Is there space for luggage on the Riyadh Metro?

Standard class has room for normal bags; if you're travelling with large suitcases, first class costs SAR 10 (still far cheaper than a taxi) and has dedicated luggage space. Avoid the 7–9 AM and 4–7 PM crushes with big bags if you can.

How to get from Riyadh Airport (RUH) to downtown — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) into central Riyadh is the Riyadh Metro Yellow Line from the underground stations at Terminals 1–2, 3–4 and 5 — a SAR 4 two-hour ticket (about US$1.05) that takes you to KAFD in ~30 minutes, then on the Blue Line to Olaya or Al Batha on the same ticket, about 45–55 minutes door to door. Tap a contactless bank card straight on the gate (no ticket machine needed); there is no airport surcharge. The metro runs ~05:30–midnight (from ~10:00 on Fridays) — outside those hours your only options are Uber/Careem (SAR 55–100) or the card-only airport taxis (SAR 80–150).

How to find it

AIRPORTKing Khalid International Airport
01From arrivals, follow the 'Riyadh Metro' signs down to the underground Yellow Line station beneath your terminal — there are three: Airport T1–2, Airport T3–4 and Airport T5 (domestic flights). It's a signposted 5–10 minute walk from any arrivals hall.
02Tap a contactless bank card at the gate (or use a darb app QR ticket) and board the Yellow Line towards KAFD — trains run every 5–10 minutes from about 05:30 to midnight (from about 10:00 on Fridays). The ride to KAFD, the last stop, takes about 30 minutes whatever the road traffic is doing.
03At KAFD, transfer to the Blue Line towards Al Batha on the same ticket: about 10 minutes to Olaya (Kingdom Centre area, most business hotels) and about 20–25 minutes to Al Batha, the old downtown where the budget hotels cluster.
CITY CENTRERiyadh

Ticket

Riyadh Metro 2-hour ticket (standard class) — valid on all metro lines and Riyadh Bus, no airport surcharge

Where to buy: The simplest way is no ticket at all: tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, mada card or Apple Pay directly on the fare gate. Alternatively buy in the darb app (QR-code ticket) or at the vending machines by the station entrance, which take cards and cash.

How to pay: SAR 4 (about US$1.05) for a 2-hour ticket covering any distance, transfers included — the airport stations cost the same as any other. First class is SAR 10 if you want guaranteed space for big luggage. If you tap a bank card, remember to tap out with the same card at your exit station.

Local's trick: Your contactless bank card IS the ticket — tap in at the airport gate and skip the machine queue entirely (just tap out with the same card, and don't mix cards mid-journey). The SAR 4 ticket also covers Riyadh Bus for the full 2 hours, so the metro + a city bus to your hotel door is still one fare. Hauling big suitcases? First class is only SAR 10 and has proper luggage space.

Trap to avoid: The airport taxi rank at SAR 80–150 to the centre — and ride-hailing at SAR 55–100 — for the trip the metro does for SAR 4. The one time a car is genuinely needed: the metro closes at midnight and starts late on Fridays (about 10:00), so if you land in that window, book Uber or Careem from the designated pickup zones rather than accepting any driver who approaches you in arrivals; airport taxis are card-only now.

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Riyadh airport to the city centre?: The Riyadh Metro Yellow Line from the underground stations at Terminals 1–2, 3–4 and 5: a SAR 4 two-hour standard ticket (about US$1.05) covers the whole journey, including the Blue Line transfer at KAFD to Olaya or Al Batha — about 45–55 minutes in total, with no airport surcharge.
Can I pay with my bank card on the Riyadh Metro?: Yes — tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, mada card or Apple Pay directly on the fare gate; no ticket purchase is needed. Tap out with the same card at your exit station. Alternatively buy a QR ticket in the darb app or at station vending machines (cards and cash).
How do I get from the airport metro to Olaya or Al Batha?: Ride the Yellow Line to its last stop, KAFD (~30 minutes), then change to the Blue Line towards Al Batha: about 10 minutes to Olaya (Kingdom Centre area) and 20–25 minutes to Al Batha. The transfer is covered by the same 2-hour ticket.
What are the Riyadh Metro operating hours from the airport?: Roughly 05:30 to midnight Saturday–Thursday, and from about 10:00 to midnight on Fridays. If you land after midnight or on a Friday morning, the metro is closed — use Uber/Careem (SAR 55–100) or the airport taxi rank (SAR 80–150, card payment only).
How much is a taxi or Uber from Riyadh airport to the city?: Airport taxis charge about SAR 80–150 to central Riyadh and now accept card payments only; Uber and Careem typically run SAR 55–100 from the designated pickup zones. The metro does the same trip for SAR 4.
Is there space for luggage on the Riyadh Metro?: Standard class has room for normal bags; if you're travelling with large suitcases, first class costs SAR 10 (still far cheaper than a taxi) and has dedicated luggage space. Avoid the 7–9 AM and 4–7 PM crushes with big bags if you can.

Last verified: Jul 22, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.