The Saudi Cabinet has given the green light to a major cross-border high-speed rail project with Qatar. This electric railway will connect Riyadh and Doha over 785 kilometers, slashing travel time between the two capitals to about two hours.
The approval came during a recent Cabinet meeting in Riyadh, chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The decision ratifies an agreement signed in late December 2025 at the eighth session of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.
Key Project Details
Trains on the line will run at speeds over 300 km/h. The route will link major cities in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Hofuf (also referred to as Al-Ahsa in some reports) and Dammam. It will connect directly to King Salman International Airport in Riyadh and Hamad International Airport in Doha.
The project forms part of wider efforts to build an integrated rail network across Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Once finished, the line aims to handle more than 10 million passengers each year.
Officials estimate it will generate over 30,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, during construction and operation. The build is expected to take around six years, using modern engineering, smart systems, and strict safety measures.
The electric design will help cut down on air and road travel in the region, supporting cleaner transport options and stronger economic links.
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Leaders from both countries see the railway as a key way to boost trade, tourism, and overall ties in the Gulf.
Construction is set to begin soon, with full operations targeted roughly by early 2032.
