Getting around · Riyadh · Saudi Arabia
Getting around Riyadh
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hamza A. Durrani, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Riyadh is a car-oriented city of long distances and wide highways. The Riyadh Metro, whose six lines opened in stages from December 2024, now links Olaya, KAFD, the old centre and the airport, while ride-hailing apps fill the gaps, including trips to Diriyah. Not for the city: the metro and ride-hailing apps cover the main sights.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Metro
- Airports
- RUH
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
Ways to get around
Metro
Six colour-coded driverless lines connect the main districts, including the Blue Line along Olaya Street and the Yellow Line to the airport. Stations are air-conditioned, and cars include a first-class section.
Use a contactless bank card or the official app for fares; check routes before travelling, as some stations are far apart.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Careem are widely used and are the most practical way to reach Diriyah, the souqs and restaurants not near a metro station.
Taxi
Licensed taxis are available at the airport, hotels and malls; insist on the meter or agree the fare before departure.
Bus
The Riyadh Bus network runs air-conditioned buses on many main roads and feeds the metro, but routes are long and best for patient travellers.
Walking
Walking works within KAFD, along Tahlia Street, in the old souqs around the Masmak Fortress and in Diriyah, but the heat makes it difficult in daytime from May to September.
From the airport
King Khalid International Airport is about 35 km north of central Riyadh. The metro's Yellow Line serves the airport terminals, and a taxi or ride-hailing car takes about 30–45 minutes to Olaya depending on traffic.
Do you need a car?
Not for the city: the metro and ride-hailing apps cover the main sights. For the Edge of the World a four-wheel-drive vehicle or an organised tour is recommended, and self-driving suits confident drivers only, as traffic is fast.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) | About 2 hours by car, including an off-road track | Organised tour or 4x4 |
| Ushaiqer Heritage Village | About 2 hours 30 minutes by car | Car or organised tour |
| Al-Ahsa Oasis | About 3 hours each way by train | Train from Riyadh to Hofuf |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Riyadh?
Not for the city: the metro and ride-hailing apps cover the main sights. For the Edge of the World a four-wheel-drive vehicle or an organised tour is recommended, and self-driving suits confident drivers only, as traffic is fast.
+How do you get from the airport to Riyadh?
King Khalid International Airport is about 35 km north of central Riyadh. The metro's Yellow Line serves the airport terminals, and a taxi or ride-hailing car takes about 30–45 minutes to Olaya depending on traffic.
+What is the best way to get around Riyadh?
Metro: Six colour-coded driverless lines connect the main districts, including the Blue Line along Olaya Street and the Yellow Line to the airport. Stations are air-conditioned, and cars include a first-class section.