Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Getting around Riyadh

How to travel around Riyadh — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Last updated 2026-08-09

1. Riyadh Metro

Six lines opened recently, and the first practical alternative to driving in the city.

Cost: SAR 4–10

2. Careem and Uber

Both widely used, with the fare set before the trip.

Watch outAirport drivers refusing the meter and quoting several times the rate.

3. Rented car

The city is built for cars and distances are large.

Watch outFine-administration fees and pre-existing damage charges at return.

4. Haramain and SAR rail

Rail north to Qassim and Hail, and the separate high-speed line between Mecca and Medina.

5. Buses

An expanding network integrated with the metro on one card.

Booking apps in Saudi Arabia

Agreeing the fare in an app before you travel removes the argument at the end of the journey, which is where most transport scams happen. Links go to each app's official page — lookalike apps are themselves a scam.

Careem

The most widely used ride-hailing app in Saudi Arabia.

Coverage: All major cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca and Medina.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

Uber

Operates across the kingdom alongside Careem.

Coverage: Major cities.
Why it helps: Particularly useful during pilgrimage season, when street fares are demanded at many times the normal rate.