Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's capital, a fast-changing desert city where the mud-brick Masmak Fortress, the National Museum, the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge and the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district in Diriyah sit within a short drive of each other.
- Public
- Riyadh Metro (six lines, opened December 2024 to January 2025) and Riyadh Bus share one ticketing system through the Darb app and Darb card: SAR 4 (~$1.07) for a 2-hour standard pass, SAR 20 (~$5.33) for 3 days, SAR 40 (~$10.67) for 7 days and SAR 140 (~$37.33) for 30 days.
- Taxi
- Uber, Careem, Bolt, Jeeny and inDrive operate citywide and show fares before booking; white-and-yellow street taxis exist but app booking is the norm.
- Rental
- Useful for Diriyah, Wadi Hanifah, Edge of the World and other day trips outside the metro network; Riyadh traffic is heavy and driving is fast.
- Walking
- Riyadh is built for cars: wide arterial roads and few shaded pavements. Walking works inside Diriyah At-Turaif, Boulevard areas, Al Bujairi and malls, and only from November to March.
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 3/5
- Taxi
- 4/5
- Rental
- 3/5
- Walking
- 1/5
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh Metro Yellow Line | SAR 4 (~$1.07) standard for a 2-hour pass | Check the Darb app for current service status; runs from KAFD to the airport | |
| App taxi (Uber, Careem, Bolt, Jeeny) | Fare shown in the app before booking | About 25-45 minutes depending on traffic | |
| Airport taxi | About SAR 100 (~$26.67) fixed fare cited in a 2025 expat guide; confirm before boarding | About 25-45 minutes depending on traffic | |
| Public bus from the airport | Check the Darb app for the current fare | Daytime service; confirm routes at the airport information desk |
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
- App taxis show the fare before booking and are the safest, most transparent option; street and airport taxis are usually metered but the fare should be agreed first. Apps in use are Uber, Careem, Bolt, Jeeny and inDrive. The airport has designated ride-hailing pickup zones near the terminals; follow the app's pin and plate number.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Riyadh is a car-centred city of long distances. The six-line Metro and Riyadh Bus now cover the main corridors, and app taxis fill every gap; Diriyah and desert sights need a taxi, rental car or a licensed tour.
Airports
King Khalid International Airport (RUH)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Check current security advice and flight status before going to King Khalid International Airport: strikes on the airport on 8-12 October 2026 closed it temporarily and it reopened on 18 October 2026, but several airlines have not resumed flights.
Install the Darb app (Riyadh public transport) to plan trips, buy QR tickets and see bus arrivals; a reusable Darb card costs about SAR 10 (~$2.67) at station kiosks (confirm at the kiosk).
A standard 2-hour pass is SAR 4 (~$1.07) and the same pass works on Metro and Riyadh Bus; First Class starts at SAR 10 (~$2.67) for 2 hours.
Children aged 6 and under ride free with an adult; seniors aged 60 and over, people with disabilities and university students get 50% off with proof.
The Metro was reported to run about 06:00 to midnight daily at launch; Friday and Ramadan hours differ, so confirm in the Darb app.
For the airport by Metro, take the Yellow Line (Line 4) from King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) to the airport terminals once services are confirmed running.
Use app taxis (Uber, Careem, Bolt, Jeeny) and use the designated ride-hailing pickup zones at the airport; settle any street-taxi fare before getting in.
Avoid driving at midday in July and August; carry water in any vehicle.