A new 35km line will boost connectivity across the capital.

Saudi Arabia loves a good cross-country trip, and while road travel has long been the default for domestic adventures, there’s something special about taking the train. If you’ve ever taken the old Riyadh-to-Dammam service, you know it’s a unique journey. Saudi Arabia Railways has invited contractors to prequalify for the Riyadh Rail Link, a brand-new 35-kilometre double-track corridor that will run north to south across the capital and connect the North–South railway with the Eastern railway. The move signals that early works could start soon, setting the stage for a more seamless national network.

The Riyadh Rail Link sits within the long-planned Saudi Landbridge programme, an ambitious scheme designed to overhaul freight and passenger movement from coast to coast. The Landbridge comprises more than 1,500 kilometres of new track, anchored by a roughly 900-kilometre railway between Riyadh and Jeddah that will provide direct access from the capital to King Abdullah Port on the Red Sea. Planned elements also include upgrades to the Riyadh–Dammam corridor and links to industrial ports at King Abdullah Economic City and Yanbu.

For the capital, timing is everything. The new link will complement the recently launched Riyadh Metro, a six-line, 176-kilometre network with 85 stations. As the metro scales up city travel, the Rail Link promises to tighten the bond between urban transit and national rail, creating a smoother door-to-door journey for residents and visitors alike.

There is no official opening date for the Riyadh Rail Link, but the prequalification process indicates significant progress. Once operational, the corridor is expected to advance domestic tourism, reduce road congestion, and strengthen logistics across the heart of the Kingdom. With Saudi Arabia confirmed as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, investments that expand capacity and connectivity will carry even greater weight as new venues, events, and visitor flows come online.

For travellers who have fond memories of the classic Riyadh-to-Dammam journey, the coming era looks even more compelling. A modernised mesh of metro, intercity rail, and strategic freight routes will make it easier to cross the city, easier to cross the Kingdom, and easier to connect the dots between key economic hubs.

GO: Visit www.sar.com.sa for more information.