Riyadh–Jeddah Railway to Be Delivered in Phases by 2034

A new railway linking Riyadh and Jeddah will be delivered in phases, with completion targeted by 2034, according to details outlined by the Saudi Railway Company.

The line forms part of the Saudi Landbridge programme. Contracts for the project have not yet been signed, with delivery expected to proceed once agreements fully meet national requirements. Oversight is being provided by a ministerial committee, with the current schedule targeting completion by 2034.

The Landbridge was previously outlined in 2022 as a project being developed with an international consortium led by a Chinese company. At the time, a five- to seven-year delivery window was cited, with route alignment, cost estimates, and seven logistics hubs identified. The railway is planned to extend from Yanbu to King Abdullah Economic City, then on to Jeddah and Riyadh, before linking with the Eastern and Northern Railway networks.

The programme also includes upgrading the existing Riyadh–Eastern Province line to meet modern technical standards. Total project costs have been estimated at up to SR100 billion (USD 26.67 billion).

In addition to the Landbridge, plans were outlined for a proposed Riyadh–Doha high-speed railway spanning 785 km and serving Riyadh, Hofuf, Dammam, and Doha. The network would include five stations, two of them in the Qatari capital, with trains operating at speeds of at least 300 kilometres per hour.

Expansion is also planned for the Northern Railway, where up to 10 additional trains could be added to the six currently in operation, with a tender expected in the third quarter of this year.