Saudi Arabia, Qatar sign $30.6bn Riyadh–Doha high-speed rail deal

Riyadh–Doha, GCC: Saudi Arabia and Qatar have taken a major step toward transforming regional mobility with the signing of a landmark agreement to implement a high-speed electric passenger rail project connecting the two capitals, Riyadh and Doha. The strategic infrastructure initiative reflects the depth of the long-standing fraternal relations between the two Gulf nations and signals a new era of economic and transport integration.

The agreement was formally witnessed by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, during Sheikh Tamim’s official visit to the Kingdom. The implementation contract was signed by Engineer Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Transport.

A strategic rail corridor connecting two capitals

The high-speed railway represents one of the most ambitious cross-border transport initiatives ever undertaken in the GCC. Stretching across a distance of 785 kilometres, the new electric rail corridor will directly connect Riyadh and Doha, with key intermediate stations in Hofuf and Dammam. The line will also provide seamless connectivity between King Salman International Airport in Riyadh and Hamad International Airport in Doha, creating a fully integrated air-rail travel ecosystem.

Designed for operational speeds exceeding 300 kilometres per hour, the train will reduce current travel times between the two capitals to approximately two hours, dramatically enhancing regional accessibility. The fast, reliable, and sustainable transport solution is expected to boost business travel, tourism flows, logistics efficiency, and cross-border trade activity.

Economic and employment impact across both nations

Upon completion, the project is projected to deliver an economic contribution of approximately SAR115 billion to the combined GDP of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, positioning it among the most economically significant infrastructure developments in the region.

The railway is expected to serve more than 10 million passengers annually, enabling seamless movement between the two countries and strengthening tourism, cultural exchange and commercial collaboration. The development phase alone is anticipated to generate more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, supporting employment growth across engineering, construction, operations, and service sectors.

Sustainable transport aligned with regional visions

The project forms part of wider national strategies focused on sustainable development, advanced infrastructure and economic diversification. Built to the highest international standards of quality and safety, the railway will utilise the latest smart engineering systems and advanced rail technologies to ensure seamless, high-performance operations.

The fully electric system is designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions and promote environmentally responsible mobility solutions. It aligns with both Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030, reinforcing commitments to cleaner transport, smarter cities and resilient future infrastructure.

Six-year development timeline

The high-speed railway project is scheduled for completion within six years and will be delivered under stringent technical, operational and safety frameworks. Once operational, the line will form a core component of the wider Gulf railway ecosystem, strengthening connectivity across the GCC and supporting long-term regional integration.

The agreement marks a defining moment in Saudi-Qatari cooperation, underscoring shared ambitions to build world-class infrastructure that enhances quality of life, economic performance and sustainable growth across the Middle East.