Qiddiya Bullet Train to Cut Travel Time from Riyadh Airport to 30 Minutes
Getting to Qiddiya is about to become much faster. A new bullet train will link the entertainment hub to King Salman International Airport and the King Abdullah Financial District. Travel time will drop to around 30 minutes, down from nearly two hours currently.
This represents a 75 percent cut in commuting time. Trains will operate at speeds reaching 250 kilometers per hour. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City announced the project details.
The railway is part of a broader transport strategy. It aims to improve connectivity across the capital. Mobility between key destinations will enhance significantly. This supports population growth and urban expansion in western and southwestern Riyadh.
Riyadh Metro Extension to Diriyah
In a related development, the Red Line is expanding. The metro extension will reach Diriyah, a major cultural and tourism destination. The project includes 7.1 kilometers of tunnel and 1.3 kilometers of elevated track.
New stations will open at King Saud University and Diriyah. The Diriyah station is expected to serve as a future interchange with planned Line 7. Officials estimate the project could remove around 150,000 cars from daily traffic.
This improves access to tourist destinations like Bujairi Terrace and Wadi Safar. It also supports more sustainable mobility patterns across the city.
Transforming Riyadh’s Landscape
Bandar Al-Saadoun, vice chairman of Khaleejiah Holding, shared insights. The Diriyah development ranks among the largest projects under Vision 2030. Additional landmark initiatives include the Opera House project and King Salman Grand Mosque.
Extending the Red Line along King Abdullah Road will generate strong real estate demand. The rail network integrates routes from the airport through KAFD, Diriyah, and the New Murabba development. This creates a connected corridor of world-class destinations.
Roughly 30 projects have been announced in Qiddiya alone. Gradual real estate growth is expected along corridors connected to the rail line. The project links to Expo 2030 Riyadh, New Murabba, and The Avenues. The airport itself is expected to become one of the world’s largest by 2030.
Real Estate Impact
Real estate analyst Khaled Almobid explained the broader implications. Large-scale transport projects do more than lift prices. They reshape market structure and asset values over the medium and long term.
Historically, properties within one to three kilometers of transport stations see capital appreciation. Investment demand rises, particularly for undeveloped “white land.” This often transitions into higher-density projects.
Almobid expects a dual impact. First, redistribution of demand within Riyadh. Second, genuine market expansion driven by what he calls “manufactured demand” from Qiddiya itself. The destination is projected to attract 17 million visitors and generate 325,000 jobs.
A population shift toward western Riyadh is anticipated. Areas surrounding the new stations will see increased interest.
Early Market Signals
Land prices near Qiddiya have already responded. They have risen between 30 and 40 percent since 2023. This reflects early market anticipation of the project’s value.
Almobid predicts more sustainable growth once operations begin. Prices will align with the tangible value of cutting travel time to 30 minutes between the airport, KAFD, and Qiddiya.
Residential and tourism-related real estate are likely to lead the next phase. Saudi Arabia aims to raise homeownership to 70 percent. The country also targets attracting 150 million annual visitors by 2030.
Mixed-use locations along the rail corridor will draw the strongest investment interest. The combination of connectivity, entertainment, and strategic vision creates unprecedented opportunities.
