High-Speed Rail to Link King Salman International Airport, KAFD, and Qiddiya in Riyadh

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Home » News » High-Speed Rail to Link King Salman International Airport, KAFD, and Qiddiya in Riyadh

Riyadh is moving forward with plans for a high-speed rail line connecting King Salman International Airport, the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), and Qiddiya City. The travel time will be just 30 minutes. Designed for speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour, the project is set to become a key element in the capital’s new urban network.

A high-speed train speeding along a modern rail track, illuminated by sunlight, symbolizing rapid urban development and advanced transportation in Riyadh.
The new high-speed rail linking King Salman International Airport, KAFD, and Qiddiya City is set to revolutionize mobility in Riyadh. With speeds of up to 250 km/h, this futuristic rail line will connect key economic and cultural hubs in just 30 minutes, shaping the city’s vision for smart, integrated urban growth.

A New Urban Connector

The proposed route reflects a comprehensive vision that unites three of Riyadh’s most prominent developments. Interestingly, this Riyadh high-speed rail will ensure that the airport serves as the city’s modern gateway. KAFD stands as a central hub of contemporary architecture. Qiddiya is emerging as a vast cultural and entertainment destination.

Aerial view of Qiddiya City at dusk, showcasing a massive entertainment complex with water parks, roller coasters, racing tracks, and vibrant lighting set against the desert landscape.
Qiddiya is redefining what’s possible in the heart of the Saudi desert. This visionary project blends nature, innovation, and world-class entertainment into one dynamic destination — shaping the future of leisure and urban development in the region.

Architectural Dimension

The project goes beyond transportation. It represents an extension of Riyadh’s evolving urban fabric. The high-speed rail stations themselves are expected to embody advanced architectural design. Here, speed and mobility intersect with modern urban forms that echo the city’s architectural identity.

Aerial view of Riyadh’s skyline at sunset, featuring the modern skyscrapers of King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), with bustling highways and urban infrastructure highlighting the city's dynamic growth.
Riyadh is redefining its skyline and future. The sleek towers of the King Abdullah Financial District rise above a vibrant network of roads and bridges, symbolizing Saudi Arabia’s bold leap toward economic transformation and urban innovation.

Impact on the Urban Landscape

This new corridor is set to redefine high-speed rail mobility in Riyadh. It establishes an integrated architectural link between large-scale projects of different functions. Yet, these projects are united in shaping a more cohesive and connected future for the capital.

Aerial view of King Salman International Airport in Riyadh at dusk, showcasing its modern design with illuminated runways and terminals, set against the vast desert landscape.
King Salman International Airport is more than a transportation hub — it’s a vision realized. With its expansive layout and futuristic design, this mega-project is poised to become one of the world’s most advanced airports, reshaping air travel and connecting Saudi Arabia to the global stage.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight


The article presents Riyadh’s high-speed rail project as an urban connector. It links King Salman International Airport, KAFD, and Qiddiya within thirty minutes. It highlights the spatial dynamics created by joining an air gateway, a financial core, and a cultural destination. This offers a layered vision of the city’s evolving fabric. Yet, the architectural narrative remains underexplored. Little insight is provided into station design or material expression, leaving the experiential dimension somewhat undefined. Still, the project introduces a forward-looking framework for integrated mobility. It reinforces its role in shaping Riyadh’s architectural identity through this high-speed rail vision.

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