Saudi Arabia: Travel time to Qiddiya slashed to 30 minutes with new bullet train plan

 

Saudi Arabia's new metro route to reduce travel time to Qiddiya slashed 

Qiddiya is set to become far more accessible with the launch of the Qiddiya Bullet Train, a high-speed rail link that will connect the entertainment and tourism megaproject to King Salman International Airport and the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD).

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the new service will cut travel time to around 30 minutes — down from nearly two hours via existing transport options — representing a 75 percent reduction. The train is expected to operate at speeds of up to 250 km/h, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City confirmed.

Part of a broader mobility strategy

The railway is part of Riyadh’s wider transport master plan aimed at improving connectivity across the capital, particularly in the western and southwestern districts, as the city expands in line with Vision 2030 goals.

In a related move, the commission also awarded the Red Line extension of the Riyadh Metro to Diriyah. The expansion includes 7.1 km of tunnel and 1.3 km of elevated track, with new stations at King Saud University and Diriyah. Diriyah is also expected to serve as a future interchange for the planned Line 7.

 

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Officials estimate the Red Line extension could remove approximately 150,000 cars from daily traffic, easing congestion and improving access to key destinations such as Bujairi Terrace and Wadi Safar, while promoting more sustainable transport patterns.

Real estate impact expected

Bandar Al-Saadoun, vice chairman of Khaleejiah Holding, described the Diriyah project as one of the largest initiatives under Vision 2030. He highlighted additional landmark developments in Wadi Safar, along with the Opera House and the King Salman Grand Mosque project.

He noted that extending the Red Line along King Abdullah Road to Diriyah would stimulate significant real estate demand, particularly as the network integrates routes linking King Salman International Airport, KAFD, Diriyah and the New Murabba development.

Around 30 projects have already been announced in Qiddiya, raising expectations of steady property growth along the rail corridor. Connectivity to major developments — including Expo 2030 Riyadh, New Murabba and The Avenues — as well as the airport, which is projected to become one of the world’s largest by 2030, is expected to further strengthen demand.

Real estate analyst Khaled Almobid said large-scale transport projects such as the Qiddiya Bullet Train tend to reshape property markets over the medium to long term rather than simply boost short-term prices.

Historically, properties located within one to three kilometres of transport hubs see capital appreciation and increased investor interest, particularly undeveloped “white land,” which often transitions into higher-density projects.

 

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Almobid anticipates both a redistribution of demand within Riyadh and genuine market expansion driven by Qiddiya’s projected 17 million annual visitors and 325,000 jobs. He also expects population growth to shift toward western Riyadh and areas surrounding the new stations.

Land prices near Qiddiya have already risen between 30 percent and 40 percent since 2023, reflecting early market anticipation. More sustainable growth is likely once operations begin and the tangible benefits of a 30-minute link between the airport, KAFD and Qiddiya become fully realised.

Residential and tourism-focused real estate is expected to lead the next growth phase, supported by Saudi Arabia’s goals of increasing homeownership to 70 percent and attracting 150 million annual visitors by 2030, with mixed-use developments along the rail corridor poised to draw the strongest investment interest.

Source: Arab News