Riyadh Metro or a Rental Car? How to Get Around Riyadh Today

Getting around Riyadh changed when the Riyadh Metro opened between December 2024 and January 2025. The network has six lines, about 176 km of track and 85 stations, and it is now a real option for many trips. So do you still need a car? It depends on where you live, where you go and who travels with you.

When the metro is enough

You live and work near a line, for example along Olaya or King Abdullah Road, and travel at rush hour.
You are going to the airport alone with light luggage; one of the lines serves King Khalid International Airport.
You visit busy central areas where parking is hard to find.

When a rental car is the better choice

Families with children. Moving a family with bags between several stations takes time; a car goes door to door.
The outer districts. Many new neighbourhoods in the north, east and west are still far from a station.
Several stops in one day, like school, work, shopping and a family visit.
Summer heat. Walking to and from stations at midday in July is hard, especially for older people.
Trips out of the city: Diriyah at night, the Red Sands, Al Thumamah or the Edge of the World. See weekend trips near Riyadh.
Late nights, after events and family gatherings.

Using both

Many people use the metro for the daily commute and rent a car only for the weekend or a busy week. A short daily rental in Riyadh, from SAR 87 per day, covers a weekend; a weekly rental suits a week of family visits. If you drive every day, monthly rental is the best value.

Which branch is near you?

Sajil has ten branches across Riyadh, so there is usually one close to your home rather than to a station:

North Riyadh: Al Arid, Al Aqiq and Al Maseef.
East Riyadh: Al Nahda, Al Rimal, Al Naseem, Al Salam and Al Fayhaa.
West Riyadh: Tuwaiq and Wadi Laban.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go to the airport by metro and pick up a car later?

Yes. Many visitors take the metro or a taxi from the airport and collect their car from a Sajil branch the next day.

Is it cheaper to rent or to use the metro and taxis?

For one person on a line, the metro is cheaper. For a family, or for many trips a day, a small rental car such as the Suzuki Dzire often costs less than several taxi rides.