Railways in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's railways include the Riyadh–Dammam line, the North–South mineral railway and the Haramain High Speed Railway.
Overview
Saudi Arabia's railway network has expanded from a single freight and passenger line to a system that includes high-speed passenger services and long-distance mineral freight.
The Dammam line
The railway between Riyadh and Dammam opened in 1951 and remains a principal passenger and freight route, linking the capital with the eastern province and its port.
The North–South Railway
The North–South Railway, opened for mineral traffic in 2011, carries phosphate and bauxite from mines in the north to processing facilities and ports, supporting the mining industry.
The Haramain High Speed Railway
The Haramain High Speed Railway, opened in 2018, links Makkah, Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport and Madinah, with trains operating at up to 300 kilometres per hour. It carries large numbers of pilgrims during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Future plans
The Kingdom has studied a national rail network and a land bridge linking the Red Sea and the Gulf, and a metro system has opened in Riyadh.
References
- Saudi Arabia Railways \u2014 Saudi Arabia Railways (accessed 5 October 2026)
- Rail transport in Saudi Arabia \u2014 Encyclopaedia Britannica (accessed 5 October 2026)
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