Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has invited contractors to prequalify for the Riyadh Rail Link – a new railway project that will run from the north of Riyadh to the south, boosting connectivity across the capital.
The Riyadh Rail Link is part of the Saudi Landbridge railway project, which aims to facilitate travel across Saudi Arabia by extending new lines across the country, linking the Kingdom’s coasts, ports, and industrial hubs.
Riyadh Rail Link
Earlier this month, SAR asked contractors to prequalify for the Riyadh Rail Link project by mid-September, according to MEED. The project involves the construction of a 35-kilometer double-track corridor that will connect the North-South Railway with the Eastern Railway.
The Riyadh Rail Link will complement the Riyadh Metro project – an extensive network consisting of 6 key lines, covering 176 kilometers and connecting 85 metro stations, including 4 main stations. Together, the two projects enhance transport across Riyadh, offering a smoother, more streamlined, and more sustainable travel experience within the city or from coast to coast.
Saudi Landbridge Project
The Saudi Landbridge railway project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Kingdom, estimated at $7 billion. The project involves the construction of over 1,500 kilometers of new track.
The Landbridge project centers on three key lines, including a 900-kilometer line to King Abdullah Port, connecting Riyadh and Jeddah. Moreover, it includes an update for the Riyadh-Dammam corridor for faster trips. The project also involves a 172-kilometer line from King Abdullah Port to Yanbu Industrial City.
Opening Date
The official opening date of Riyadh Rail Link has not been set. However, the project will likely be part of Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to expand capacity and connectivity as it gears up to host FIFA World Cup 2034, which will bring waves of events and visitor flows.
The Riyadh Rail Link project is expected to significantly contribute to boosting mobility, easing congestion, and advancing domestic tourism in the Saudi capital, providing passengers with a hassle-free transport experience to reach all venues across Riyadh.
Riyadh Transport Landscape
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has made major strides toward modernizing its infrastructure and enhancing its urban landscape. In the light of this, the Kingdom has launched mega transport project to make journeys faster and smoother.
The Riyadh Metro project aims to boost connectivity across the streets of Saudi Arabia’s capital, reducing congestion and creating a more sustainable urban landscape. The mega project is expected to transport up to 1.2 million passengers daily in its initial phase, reaching its full capacity of 3.6 million passengers daily once it becomes fully operational.
It is also associated with a bus network designed to connect the capital’s districts with business and commercial centers, with a capacity of transporting over 500,000 passengers. Owing to its spectacular design, the project has featured on CNN list for the world’s top 11 architecture projects in 2025.
Another highly-anticipated mega transportation project is the Dream of the Desert Train – a luxury railway project designed to offer a fascinating journey amid the stunning desert and mountain landscapes of Saudi Arabia.
Set to start operations by the end of 2025, the train will consist of 41 ultra-luxurious cabins accommodating up to 82 passengers. It will be the first train to offer “rail cruising” across Saudi Arabia, traveling a distance of about 1,300 kilometers from Riyadh through Hail, and end in the northern city of Al-Qurayyat, near the Jordanian border.
